matelote

Updated: June 27, 2025

The sky was empty and its deeps infinite; the clearness of the air set me dreaming. I passed the turn where we used to halt when we were learning how to ride in front of the guns, past the little house where, on rare holidays, the boys could eat a matelote, which is fish boiled in wine, and so on to the place where the river is held by a weir and opens out into a kind of lake.

Hilaire Belloc - The Path to Rome

Matelote, embrace me! You are voluptuous and timid! You have cheeks which invite the kiss of a sister, and lips which claim the kiss of a lover." "Hold your tongue, you cask!" said Courfeyrac. Grantaire retorted: "I am the capitoul and the master of the floral games!" Enjolras, who was standing on the crest of the barricade, gun in hand, raised his beautiful, austere face.

Victor Hugo - Les Misérables