Can bacon or beans suggest some sort of alcohol?

Question

I just [read this poem](http://www.chesterton.org/wordpress/2012/04/happy-feast-of-st-george/):>**The Englishman** by G.K. Chesterton>St George he was for England, And before he killed the dragon He drank a pint of English ale Out of an English flagon. For though he fast right readily In hair-shirt or in mail, It isn’t safe to give him cakes Unless you give him ale. >St George he was for England, And right gallantly set free The lady left for dragon’s meat And tied up to a tree; But since he stood for England And knew what England means, **Unless you give him bacon You mustn’t give him beans.** >St George he is for England, And shall wear the shield he wore When we go out in armour With battle-cross before. But though he is jolly company And very pleased to dine, It isn’t safe to give him nuts Unless you give him wine. My question is about the line about the *bacon* and *beans*. The first stanza is about food and beer, the third stanza is about food and wine. But the middle stanza seems to be about food and food, but are one of those words (bacon or beans) suggestive of beer?

Answer 1

St. George was the patron saint of England who, according to legend, slew a dragon. St. George's feast day, starting in the fourteenth century, became a day to celebrate England's national pride - so they would celebrate with parades, festivals, and traditionally English foods. G.K. Chesterton's references to various foods and drinks are more than likely just references to traditional English foods -- bacon and beans are staples of a traditional English breakfast, for example. As Freud says, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!