Book 14
50
And the beautiful vessels which come in first, were brought in again full of every kind of delicacy, which mortals call τράπεζαι, but the Gods call them the Horn of Amalthea. And in the middle was placed that great delight of mortals, white marrow dressed sweet; covering its face with a thin membrane, like a spider's web, out of modesty, that one might not see . . . . . in the dry nets of Aristæus . . . . And its name was amyllus . . . . . . . . . . which they call Jupiter's sweetmeats . . . . Then he distributed plates of . . . . very delicious . . . . . . and a cheesecake compounded of cheese, and milk, and honey . . . almonds with soft rind . . . . and nuts, which boys are very fond of; and everything else which could be expected in plentiful and costly entertainment. And drinking went on, and playing at the cottabus, and conversation . . . . . . . It was pronounced a very magnificent entertainment, and every one admired and praised it.
50
This, then, is the description given by Philoxenus of Cythera, whom Antiphanes praises in his Third-rate Performer, where he says— Philoxenus now does surpass by far All other poets. First of all he everywhere Uses new words peculiar to himself; And then how cleverly doth he mix his melodies With every kind of change and modification! Surely he is a god among weak men, And a most thorough judge of music too, But poets of the present day patch up Phrases of ivy and fountains into verse, And borrow old expressions, talking of Melodies flying on the wings of flowers, And interweave them with their own poor stuff.
