GR translation: mulled with the hammers of Hell

[Mike Jing]

Ah, that makes sense.  Thanks, Bekah.

On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 8:57 PM, Bekah <bekah0176 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> to "mull" something is to heat it up and add some spice -  mulling wine, brandy or bourbon is very common -
>
> mulled bourbon:
> http://www.cocktaildb.com/recipe_detail?id=1556
> "Traditionally, the mixture is heated by dipping a red hot iron poker into it."
>
> Bek
>
>
> On Jun 5, 2012, at 9:56 AM, kelber at mindspring.com wrote:
>
>> 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?
>>
>