Book 1
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Till they are brown as toast,
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Then with sauce and gravy cover;
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Eat them, you'll be strong all over.
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So much for earth; now list to me,
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While I speak of the sons of the sea.
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And presently he says:—
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A good large flat dish is not bad,
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But a pan is better when 'tis to be had.
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And presently again:—
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Never cut up a sardine
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Or mackarel of silv'ry sheen,
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Lest the gods should scorn a sinner—
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Such as you, and spoil your dinner;
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But dress them whole and serve them up,
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And so you shall most richly sup.
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Good sized polypus in season
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Should be boil'd,—to roast them's treason;
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But if early and not big,
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Roast them; boil'd ain't worth a fig.
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Mullets, though the taste is good,
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Are by far too weakening food;
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And the ills it brings to master
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You will need a scorpion plaster.
