Dedication
TO
MY FRIEND
R. T. HAINES-HALSEY
WHO
UNRESERVEDLY BELIEVES
EVERYTHING I WRITE
To R. T.
I
II
You sit on Duncan—when you dare,—
And out of Wedgewood, using care,
With Paul Revere you eat your fare.
III
From Paul you borrow fork and knife
To wage a gastronomic strife
In porringers; and platters rare
Of blue Historic Willow-ware.
IV
Banquets with cymbal, drum and fife,
Or rose-wreathed feasts with riot rife
To your chaste suppers can’t compare.
V
Let those deny the truth who dare!—
Paul, Duncan, Wedgewood! That’s the life!
All else is bunk and empty air.
ENVOI
The Cordon-bleu has set the pace
With Goulash, Haggis, Bouillabaisse,
Curry, Chop-suey, Kous-Kous Stew—
I can not offer these to you,—
Being a plain, old-fashioned cook,—
So pray accept this scrambled book.
R. W. C.