CHAP. XVIII.
* 1.1LEt vs giue ouer this dispute, and suffer me to censure this excesse. There is nothing more faire, sayest thou, then to see a Barbel die. At such time as she strugleth ••or life, first there appeareth a red∣nesse, and afterwards she is couered all with palenesse, which are equally varied, and the face of the colour is vncertaine betwixt life and death. O long idlenesse of sleepie and sluggish dissolution: too late hath she beene awakened, too late hath she knowne, that she was depriued and defrauded of so great a good. Yet fisher-men enioyed this so great and goodly spectacle, hauing the meanes to see such a fish dead and sodden for their table. We wondered to see them so daintie, that they would not touch the fish, except it were taken the same day, which as they said, should taste of the sea it selfe. Therefore were they carried in poste, and in euery streete whole companies made way for rippiers, that puffing and crying out as they ranne, to make way. But to what height is excesse growne vnto? That fish that is caught and killed to day is reputed rotten. I will not trust thee with a matter of so great impor∣tance, I will haue it brought me aliue, and I will see it die. The stomackes o•• the belly-gods are s••••zed with this loathing, that they cannot taste a fish, except they haue seene it swimming, and dying at their banquets. The more that ex∣cesse and furious desires of superfluities made them ingenious, the more also did their furie contemning all vsuall matters, inuent daily some new subtiltie and magnificence. We haue heard it spoken, that in times past, that the Barbel that was taken amongst rockes, and in stony places, was a daintie dish. But now we heare them say that there is nothing more pleasing, then to see a Barbel die. Giue mee the glasse-bodie into my hands, that I may see it leape and quiuer. When it hath been much and long time praised, it is suddenly taken out of that cleere fish-poole, then euery one as he is cunninger shewes his opinion. See how this rednes appeareth more tinctured then Vermelion. Behold what vains he discouereth on his sides, you would say his belly were of bloud? What cleare and blew colour hath he discouered at one time. Now he stretched out him∣selfe, and becommeth pale and of one colour. But amongst all these deuisers, you shall finde none of them that will sit by his friend that lies a dying, no man will haue the heart to see his father yeeld vp the ghost, although he hath wished his death heartily. Who is he amongst all these gourmands, that followeth a dead man of his family to the fire. He will abandon his parents and friends at the last houre, yet notwitstanding they assemble themselues together to see a dying fish? For in their opinion there is nothing more faire. I cannot chuse, but gird at them sometimes, and vse some tart and rude termes in respect of these men, who when there is any question of kitchin-worke, are not content with their teeth, throats, and bellies to feed their excesse, except they sur••et with their eyes.