The honest cook gave us no leisure to tire our
appetites by a tedious expectancy; for in a little time the cloth
was laid, and our first course was ushered up by the _dominus
factotum_ in great order to the table, which consisted of two
calves'-heads and a couple of geese. I could not but laugh in my
conceit to think with what judgment the caterer had provided so
lucky an entertainment for so suitable a company. After the
victuals were pretty well cooled, in complimenting who should begin
first, we all fell to; and i'faith I found by their eating, they
were no ways affronted by their fare; for in less time than an old
woman could crack a nut, we had not left enough to dine the
bar-boy. The conclusion of our dinner was a stately Cheshire
cheese, of a groaning size, of which we devoured more in three
minutes than a million of maggots could have done in three weeks.
After cheese comes nothing; then all we desired was a clear stage
and no favour; accordingly everything was whipped away in a trice
by so cleanly a conveyance, that no juggler by virtue of Hocus
Pocus could have conjured away balls with more dexterity. All our
empty plates and dishes were in an instant changed into full quarts
of purple nectar and unsullied glasses.
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