And pinna's sweet, and cockles fat were there Which the wave breeds beneath its weedy bed, The gristly turbot, and the mullet red. First in the fray on them I laid my hand, And called on Phœbus, by his slave to stand; But when Stratocles, scorning fear, I saw Hold in his hand the mullet's luscious jaw, I seized it too, and while it came apart, Quick with the dainty bit rejoiced my heart. There, too, the silver-footed Thetis came, The fair-hair'd cuttle-fish, the mighty dame, Fairest of Nereus' daughters, none but she Of fish can both with black and white agree.[221:1] There, too, the conger, Tityos of the main, Lay on nine tables and o'erspread the plain.[221:2] Next came the eel, who charm'd the mighty Jove, And soften'd his stern soul to tender love. So mighty that two wrestlers, of the days Of old Astyanax, could scarcely raise Her from the ground and place her on the board, Nine fathoms long, and full nine cubits broad. Up stairs, down stairs the busy cooks did haste, While more fresh dishes on the board they placed. Next forty large black pots appear'd in view, And forty platters from Eubœa too. Then various Iris, Jove's commands to bear, In shape of cuttle-fish flew through the air. The shining perch, the black tail next appear'd; A mortal fish to join immortals dared. Alone, apart in discontented mood, A gloomy dish, the sullen tunny stood;[221:3] For ever sad with proud disdain he pined, And the lost arms for ever stung his mind. The shark, to masons and upholders dear, Good nurse of youth, though rough its skin appear;[221:4] Nor do I know on earth a nicer food, Though what came next is very near as good, A roasted cestreas; nor alone it lay, For twelve fine sargi came the self-same way.[221:5] And a dark amias, of every sea Who knows the depths, great Neptune's comrade he. And squills the minstrels of Olympian Jove, Whom none to look at, all to taste of, love. The chrysophrys, for shining beauty famed, The crab's hard shell refusing to be tamed. All these, and many more besides, I saw Crush'd in each hungry guest's devouring jaw. The royal sturgeon led the second band, Towards whom, though nearly full, I stretch'd my hand; He like ambrosia to my senses look'd, Which I had always thought for gods alone was cook'd. Then came a lamprey, large and richly fed, As when he seeks the dragon's daughter's bed. And next, (the goddesses such sandals wear,) Of mighty soles a firm and well-match'd pair. Then the sea thrushes young and fierce, who dive Mid the deep rocks and tear their prey alive. The sargus, mormyrus, hippurus, spar, The shad, the gale; so countless fishes are. The feast to view the guests' eyes joyful beam'd,