Crit. If a philosopher begins to conduct a controversy on fish, i.e., on a most uncertain, debatable question, then let us have a bed set up, so that we can sleep here.
Scop. No one is worthy to even taste these dishes. Take them away.
Sim. And yet formerly banquets at Rome were most splendid and they were accustomed to say that sumptuous ones were given which consisted entirely of fish.
Crit. Thus have times changed, although this custom also lasts with some people.
Birds
Scop. Bring up roasted chickens, partridges, thrushes, ducklings, teal, wood-pigeons, rabbits, hares, calf’s flesh, kids, and sauce or flavours, vinegar, oil, fruit penetrating in its medical properties, also citrons, olives from the Balearic Islands, preserved, pressed, and kept in pickle.
Dem. Are no Bethica (district of Spain) olives there?
Scop. Those from the Balearic Islands taste better.
Crit. What will happen to those big animals there, the goose, the swan, the peacock?
Scop. Merely show them, and take them back to the kitchen.