Page:The Deipnosophists (Volume 2).djvu/37

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A. A perfect cook is quite another thing. For there are many admirable arts, All of which he must master thoroughly Who would excel in this. He first must have A smattering of painting; and indeed Many the sciences are which he must learn Before he's fit to begin learning cookery,— And you should know them ere you talk to me,— Astrology, and Medicine, and Geometry. For by these arts you'll know the qualities And excellences of the various fish. You'll learn to guide your dishes by the seasons; And when this fish is in, and this is out, For there is great variety in the pleasures That from the table spring. Sometimes, for instance, A boax will be better than a tunny. B. Perhaps; but what on earth has that to do    With your geometry? A. Why this. We say The kitchen is a sphere; this we divide, And take one portion, as may suit our art, Borrowing the principles of mensuration. B. I understand; that's quite enough of that. Where does your medical skill display itself? A. Know there are meats hard, indigestible, Pregnant with flatulence, causing only torture To the unhappy eater, and no nourishment. Yet those who sup at other folks' expense Are always greedy and not temperate. For these and similar viands, remedies Must come from the resources of our art; And how to marshal everything in order With wisdom and propriety, we learn By borrowing from the science of the General. To count the guests requires arithmetic. And no one else has all these parts of knowledge Except myself. B. Now in your turn, awhile Listen to me. A. Say on. B. Give no more trouble To me nor to yourself: but just keep quiet, And rest yourself all day for all I care.

38. And the cook in the Younger Philemon wishes to be a sort of tutor, and speaks in this fashion—

There, let things be as they are. Only take care The fire may not too small be or too slow To roast the joints. (As a fire like that Makes meat not roast but sodden.) Nor too fierce. (For that again does burn whate'er it catches,