A Poetical Cook-Book

<p>TO THE READER</p><p><br></p><p>Though cooks are often men of pregnant wit</p><p>Through niceness of their subject few have writ.</p><p>'Tis a sage question if the art of cooks</p><p>Is lodg'd by nature or attain'd by books?</p><p>That man will never frame a noble treat</p><p>Whose whole dependence lies in some receipt.</p><p>Then by pure nature everything is spoil'd-</p><p>She knows no more than stew'd bak'd roast and boil'd.</p><p>When art and nature join the effect will be</p><p>Some nice ragout or charming fricasee. ...</p><p><br></p>