Book 13
29
But concerning courtesans, Ephippus, in his Merchandise, speaks as follows:— And then if, when we enter through their doors, They see that we are out of sorts at all, They flatter us and soothe us, kiss us gently, Not pressing hard as though our lips were enemies, But with soft open kisses like a sparrow; They sing, and comfort us, and make us cheerful, And straightway banish all our care and grief, And make our faces bright again with smiles. And Eubulus, in his Campylion, introducing a courtesan of modest deportment, says— How modestly she sat the while at supper! Not like the rest, who make great balls of leeks, And stuff their cheeks with them, and loudly crunch Within their jaws large lumps of greasy meat; But delicately tasting of each dish, In mouthfuls small, like a Milesian maiden. And Antiphanes says in his Hydra— But he, the man of whom I now was speaking, Seeing a woman who lived near his house, A courtesan, did fall at once in love with her; She was a citizen, without a guardian Or any near relations, and her manners Pure, and on virtue's strictest model form'd, A genuine mistress (ἑταῖρα); for the rest of the crew Bring into disrepute, by their vile manners, A name which in itself has nothing wrong. And Anaxilas, in his Neottis, says— A. But if a woman does at all times use Fair, moderate language, giving her services Favourable to all who stand in need of her, She from her prompt companionship (ἑταιρίας) does earn The title of companion (ἑταῖρα); and you, As you say rightly, have not fall'n in love With a vile harlot (πόρνη), but with a companion (ἑταῖρα). Is she not one of pure and simple manners B. At all events, by Jove, she 's beautiful.
