GR translation: mulled with the hammers of Hell

[kelber at mindspring.com]

It got the sweetness pounded into it; a roundabout way of saying that the potion is hot, not sweet.

Laura


-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jun 5, 2012 4:57 AM
>To: Pynchon Mailing List <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>Subject: GR translation: mulled with the hammers of Hell
>
>P193.27-35
>The Ballad Of Tantivy Mucker-Maffick
>Oh Italian gin is a mother’s curse,
>And the beer of France is septic,
>Drinking Bourbon in Spain is the lonely domain
>Of the saint and the epileptic.
>White lightning has fueled up many a hearse
>In the mountains where ridge-runners dwell—
>It’s a brew begot in a poison pot,
>And mulled with the hammers of Hell!
>
>What does "mull" mean here?  I found this:
>
>to heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices for drinking, as ale or wine.
>
>Is that it?