Chapter 2

_Enter_ Three Cooks.

_First Cook._ Thrice the dreadful message came.

_Second Cook._ Thrice the mystic buzzer buzzed.

_Third Cook._ Sergeant cries, "'Tis time, 'tis time."

_First Cook._ Round about the dixie go; In the dense ingredients throw-- Extra bully, every lump Pinched from some forbidden dump, Biscuits crunched to look like flour, Cabbage sweet and onions sour-- Make the broth as thick as glue. The General will inspect the stew.

_All._ Fire burn and dixie bubble, Double toil or there'll be trouble.

_Second Cook._ 'Taters in the cauldron sink, Peeled by hands as black as ink; Portions of a slaughtered cat, Piece of breakfast-bacon fat, Bits of boot and bits of stick-- Make the gruel slab and thick.

_All._ Fire burn and dixie bubble, Double toil or there'll be trouble.

_Third Cook._ German sausage won in fight On some dark and stormy night, Dim and murky watercress Stolen from a Sergeants' Mess, Slabs of cheese and chunks of ham, Lumps of plum and apple jam, Bits of paper, ends of string, Mixed with any damned thing, In the cauldron mingle quick So the stew be dense and thick.

_All._ Fire burn and dixie bubble, Double toil or there'll he trouble. [_Exeunt._