Destined one pair for supper to make shift—

Supper, as usual, at the hour of ten.

But ten o’clock arrived, and quickly pass’d—

Eleven—twelve—and one o’clock at last,

Without a sign of supper even then!

At length, the speed of cookery to quicken,

Betty was called, and with reluctant feet,

Came up at a white heat:

“Well, never I see chicken like them chicken!

My saucepans, they have been a pretty while in ’em!