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WElcome courte∣ous Countrey-men. I meane especially Nor∣folkmē. For they are true Catho∣liques in matter of Dyet: no Recusants of any thing that is mans meate. I bid all in general, excepting only such as are affrayed of roasted Pigge, a breast or legge of Mutton, a Ducke &c. To conclude, I for∣bid no man, but him onely that
hath maried a wife & cannot come. No man shall loose his labour. Here are Lettuses for euery mans lips. For the Northeren-man, White-meates, Beefe, Mutton, Venison: for the Sou∣therne man, Fruites, Hearbes, Fowle, Fish, Spice, and Sauce. As for the Middle-sex or Londoner, I smell his Diet. Vescitur aura aetheria. Here is a Pipe of right Trinidado for him. The Yorkers they will bee content with bald Tabacodocko. What should I say? here is good Veale for the Es∣sex-man: passing Leekes and excel∣lent Cheese for the Welsh-man. Deni∣que quid non? Mary, here are nei∣ther Eg-pies for the Lancashire-man, nor Wag-tayles for the Kentish-man. But that is all one here is other good cheere enough. And what is wan∣ting in meate, shall bee supplyed in kinde welcome and officious atten∣dance.
Least any thing should be amisse, or missing to thee, I haue my selfe
(for fault of a better) taken vpon me all such Offices as any way concerne this Dinner.
* 1.1First, I am Cator: and haue pro∣uided the very choise of such dayn∣ties as Natures Market affoordeth.
* 1.2Secondly, I am Taster: commen∣ding each dish to thy Palate, accor∣ding to his right vse and vertue. * 1.3And (since nothing is so perfectly good, as it partaketh no euill property) I haue put into a by-dish (like Eg∣shelles in an Saucer) what worthily may breed offence. Herein imitating a merry Greeke, who espying an haire in a dish of Butter, called for another dish and dished it by it self.
* 1.4Thirdly, I play the Cooke: so pre∣paring, seasoning, and saucing the harmefull disposition of euery meat, as it shall be either in whole aboli∣shed, or in part qualified.
Lastly, I assume the Caruers Of∣fice: and hauing noted the nature and operation of each particular dis∣pense
to euery of my Guests accor∣ding to the Season,* 1.5 his Age, and Constitution.
Thus very rudely, I obtrude vnto thee not a banquet, but a byt rather of each dish Scholler-likely, that is, badly carued. For Schollers are bad Caruers. Do thou, by thy kindly fee∣ding on Dyets dry Dinner, but cause thy selfe to thirst for Dyets Drink∣ing: and I shall with like alacrity, act thy Cup-bearer. Wherefore vntill thou beest Dry drunke, Fare-well.
Thy Countryman, H. Buttes.
1 Choise.
2 Vse.
3 Hurt.
4 Preparatī∣on, or Cor∣rection.
Degree. Season. Age. Constituti∣on.