Book 4
27
But Menander, in his play called Drunkenness, estimates the expense of the most sumptuous banquet at a talent, saying— Then we do not in these matters act as we should do When to the gods we sacrifice; for then we go and buy A sheep, an offering for the gods, for scarce ten drachmas' price. And then we send for flute players, and ointments, and perfumes, And harps, and singing women, eels, and cheese, and honey too; And ample jars of Thasian wine; but these can scarcely come, When all together reckon'd up, to a small talent's sum. And it is as the very extravagance of expense that he has named a talent at all. And in his Morose Man he speaks as follows:— See how these housebreakers do sacrifice! Bearing such beds and couches, not to please The gods, but their own selves. Incense is pious, So is the votive cake; and this the god Receives well-baked in the holy fire. But they when they have offered the chump end Of a lean loin, the gall bladder, and bones, Not too agreeable or easy to eat, Unto the gods, consume the rest themselves.
