When Terence spoke, oraculous and sly,
He'd neither grant the question nor deny,
Pleading for tarts, his thoughts were on _mince pie_.
My poor endeavors view with gracious eye,
To make these lines above a _Christmas pie_.
Two pounds of boiled beef's heart or fresh tongue, or lean fresh beef
chopped, when cold; two pounds of beef suet chopped fine, four pounds of
pippin apples chopped, two pounds of raisins stoned and chopped, two
pounds of currants picked, washed, and dried, two pounds of powdered
sugar, one quart of white wine, one quart of brandy, one wine-glass of
rose-water, two grated nutmegs, half an ounce of cinnamon, powdered, a
quarter of an ounce of mace, powdered, a teaspoonful of salt, two large
oranges, and half a pound of citron cut in slips. Pack it closely into
stone jars, and tie them over with paper. When it is to be used, add a
little more wine.