Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND by HENRY FIELDING

First Line: WHEN MIGHTY ROAST BEEF WAS THE ENGLISHMAN'S FOOD
Last Line: O, THE ROAST BEEF, ETC.
Subject(s): BEEF; ENGLAND; FOOD & EATING; PATRIOTISM; ENGLISH;
WHEN mighty roast beef was the Englishman's
food,
It ennobled our hearts, and enriched our blood;
Our soldiers were brave, and our courtiers were
good.
O, the Roast Beef of old England
And O, the old English Roast Beef!

But since we have learned from effeminate France
To eat their ragouts, as well as to dance,
We are fed up with nothing but vain complai-
sance.
O, the Roast Beef, etc.


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