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Sixe six penny Mutton-pyes to make up the Feast

Methinks a Feast is not well set forth if there bee no Pies or bak'd meates, and instead of Deere, I pray Gentlemen take in good part such Venison as Smithfield penns affoord. There was a Chyrurgian, or corruptly a Surgeon, whose name was well knowne to me, and many more by Land, but especially and truly by Walter, and by shortning it an L, by Water, or briefly, Wat; (the helpe of a Priest would declare the rest) This Walters stomacke did water for a Six-penny Mutton-pye, at a Cookes named T. S. at Westminster, almost over against the 3 Tunnes Taverne, and having eaten one Pie, he lik'd the rellish so well, that hee call'd for five pies more of the same price, and valiantly consum'd them both crust and meate, outsides and linings: Which being done, he heard Westminster clock strike, and demanding of one of the Cookes servants what time of day it was? who answer'd him, that the Clocke strooke Eleaven; Oh (quoth he) I pray you bring me a reckoning quickly, or else I shall lose my Dinner at my Lord Maynards.


  • Sixe six penny Mutton-pyes to make up the Feast. Source: Taylor, John. Taylor's Feast. London: Printed by J. Okes dwelling in little St. Bartholmews, 1638
The (perhaps not very obvious) punchline here is that after consuming 6 pies by 11 a.m., Dr. Walters then wants the bill taken care of as quickly as possible so he won't miss his lunch/dinner date.

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