344 
The Animal-Lore of Shahspeares Time . 
as if their feet were fins” {Loves Cure , ii. 2). The 
word mop was used, says Hares, as a diminutive, and 
term of endearment, as is shown by the following, from 
Putten ham’s Arte of English Poesie :— 
“ Understanding by this word moppe a title prety lady, or tender 
young thing. For so we call little fishes, that be not come to their 
full growth moppes , as whiting moppes, gurnard moppes.” 
The whiting appears in company with other fish in 
some verses uncomplimentary to ladies, included in a 
Collection of songs and carols, published about the year 
1490 
“ When whytynges do walke forestes to chase hertys; 
And herynges ther hornnys in forestes boldly blow; 
And marmsattes [marmosets] morn in mores and lakys; 
And gurnardes schot rokes owt of a crose bow; 
And goslynges hunt the wolfe to overthrow ; 
And sprates her sperys in armys of defens; 
Than put women in trust and confydens.” 
(Ed. Percy Soc., vol. xxiii. p. 67.) 
The Hake was a very abundant fish. It was the 
cheapest fare that could be procured, and was 
valued accordingly. When dried and salted 
it was called Poor-John. At the sight of Caliban 
crouching in fear on the sands, Trinculo exclaims :— 
“ What have we here ? a man or a fish ? Dead or alive ? A fish; 
he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fish-like smell; a kind of not 
of the newest Poor-John.” ( Tempest , ii. 2, 26.) 
A servant in Massinger’s play, The Benegado (i. 1.), 
replies to his master’s query as to his religion :— 
“ Troth, to answer truly, 
I would not be of one that should command me 
To feed upon Poor-John, when I see pheasants 
And partridges on the table.” 
Another name for this fish was the Sea-pike or 
Merluce. 
