An eighteenth century dinner party

Far from the Parlor have your Kitchin place'd
Dainties may in their working be disgrac'd
In private draw your poultry, clean your Tripe
And from your Eels their filmy substance wipe
Let cruel offices be done by Night
For they who like the Thing abhor the Sight

...
Crowd not your table, let your number be
Not more than sev'n, and never less than three

.....
Make your transparent sweetmeats truly nice
With Indian Sugar and Arabian Spice
And let your various Creams incircled be
With swelling Fruit just ravish'd from the Tree
Let Plates and Dishes be from China brought
With lively Paint and Earth transparent wrought
The Feast now done Discources are renew'd
and witty Arguments with Mirth pursu'd
The cheerful Master midst his jovial Friends
His glass to their best wishes recommends.

William King; The Art of Cookery 1702