A Poetical Cook-Book

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