Then were they very well wiped and rubbed, shifted their shirts, and, walking soberly, went to see if dinner was ready.

Whilst they stayed for that, they did clearly and eloquently pronounce some sentences that they had retained of the lecture.
In the meantime Master Appetite came, and then very orderly sat they down at table.

At the beginning of the meal there was read some pleasant history of the warlike actions of former times, until he had taken a glass of wine.

Then, if they thought good, they continued reading, or began to discourse merrily together; speaking first of the virtue, propriety, efficacy, and nature of all that was served in at the table; of bread, of wine, of water, of salt, of fleshes, fishes, fruits, herbs, roots, and of their dressing.

By means whereof he learned in a little time all the passages competent for this that were to be found in Pliny, Athenaeus, Dioscorides, Julius Pollux, Galen, Porphyry, Oppian, Polybius, Heliodore, Aristotle, Aelian, and others.