Apic. Are asses also grammarians?
Ablig. What wonder, since grammarians are certainly asses.
Apic. Make an end of wrangling. I want some coals or pieces of turf lighting for me on this hearth, for cooking the cakes baked in earthen cups. Hang the bronze vessel over the fire so that we can have plenty of hot water. Then throw into the cooking-pot that shoulder of mutton with the salted beef; add calf and lamb flesh, and stir the cooking vessel on the fire. In the chytropus[61] we will thoroughly boil the rice.
Ablig. What shall we do with the chickens?
Apic. They shall be cooked in brazen pots which are lined with tin, so that they may have a more pleasant taste. But don’t bring them too soon; the meat-spits and the pans should be forthcoming about nine o’clock. Let this pike play about in the water a little, then skin him.
Ablig. Are there to be meat and fish at the same meal?
Apic. Decidedly, according to the German fashion.
Ablig. And is this approved by the doctors?
Apic. It is not in accordance with the art of medicine, but it will please the doctors. I thought this block of a man (stips) was merely a grammarian; he is also a doctor.
Ablig. Have you never heard of that question: Whether there are in a city more doctors or fools?