Neverout. No, faith, miss; three meals a day, and a good supper at night, will serve my turn.
Miss. To say the truth, I'm hungry.
Neverout. And I'm angry; so let us both go fight.
They go in to dinner, and, after the usual compliments, take their seats.
Lady Smart. Ladies and gentlemen, will you eat any oysters before dinner?
Col. With all my heart. [takes an oyster.] He was a bold man that first eat an oyster.
Lady Smart. They say, oysters are a cruel meat, because we eat them alive: then they are an uncharitable meat, for we leave nothing to the poor; and they are an ungodly meat, because we never say grace.
Neverout. Faith, that's as well said as, if I had said it myself.
Lady Smart. Well, we are well set if we be but as well serv'd: come, colonel, handle your arms; shall I help you to some beef?
Col. If your ladyship please; and, pray, don't cut like a mother-in-law, but send me a large slice: for I love to lay a good foundation. I vow, 'tis a noble sirloin.
Neverout. Ay; here's cut and come again.
Miss. But pray, why is it call'd a sirloin?
Ld. Smart. Why you must know, that our king James the first, who lov'd good eating, being invited to dinner by one of his nobles, and seeing a large loin of beef at his table, he drew out his sword, and in a frolick knighted it. Few people know the secret of this.
