If my opinion is of any worth, the fieldfare is the greatest
delicacy among birds, the hare among quadrupeds.

If my opinion is of any worth, the fieldfare is the greatest
delicacy among birds, the hare among quadrupeds.

What baron or squire
Or knight of the shire
Lives half so well as a holy friar.

What baron or squire
Or knight of the shire
Lives half so well as a holy friar.

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you
even weeping, that they are read more

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you
even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose
glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

That famish'd people must be slowly nurst,
And fed by spoonfuls, else they always burst.

That famish'd people must be slowly nurst,
And fed by spoonfuls, else they always burst.

The belly (i.e. necessity) is the teacher of art and the liberal
bestower of wit.
[Lat., Magister artis read more

The belly (i.e. necessity) is the teacher of art and the liberal
bestower of wit.
[Lat., Magister artis ingenique largitor Venter.]

Oh, dainty and delicious!
Food for the gods! Ambrosia for Apicius!
Worthy to thrill the soul of read more

Oh, dainty and delicious!
Food for the gods! Ambrosia for Apicius!
Worthy to thrill the soul of sea-born Venus,
Or titillate the palate of Silenus!

One solid dish his week-day meal affords,
An added pudding solemniz'd the Lord's.

One solid dish his week-day meal affords,
An added pudding solemniz'd the Lord's.

He rolls it under his tongue as a sweet morsel.

He rolls it under his tongue as a sweet morsel.

Blest be those feasts, with simple plenty crowned,
Where all the ruddy family around
Laugh at the read more

Blest be those feasts, with simple plenty crowned,
Where all the ruddy family around
Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale.