Book 6
Tragedy Fishmongers Misconduct of Fishmongers Use of particular Words Use of Silver Plate Silver Plate Golden Trinkets Use of Gold in different Countries Parasites Gynæconomi Para sites Flatterers of Dionysius Flatterers of Kings Flattery of the Athenians Flatterers The Tyrants of Chios The Conduct of Philip Flatterers and Parasites The Mariandyni Slaves Drimacus Condition of Slaves Slaves Banquets The Effects
1
SINCE you ask me every time that you meet me, my friend Timocrates, what was said by the Deipnosophists, thinking that we are making some discoveries, we will remind you of what is said by Antiphanes, in his Poesy, in this manner— In every way, my friends, is Tragedy A happy poem. For the argument Is, in the first place, known to the spectators, Before one single actor says a word. So that the poet need do little more Than just remind his hearers what they know. For should I speak of Œdipus, at once They recollect his story—how his father Was Laius, and Jocasta too his mother; What were his sons', and what his daughters' names, And what he did and suffer'd. So again If a man names Alcmæon, the very children Can tell you how he in his madness slew His mother; and Adrastus furious, Will come in haste, and then depart again; And then at last, when they can say no more, And when the subject is almost exhausted, They lift an engine easily as a finger, And that is quite enough to please the theatre. But our case is harder. We are forced T' invent the whole of what we write; new names, Things done before, done now, new plots, new openings, And new catastrophes. And if we fail in aught, Some Chremes or some Phido hisses us. While Peleus is constrain'd by no such laws, Nor Teucer. And Diphilus says, in his Men conducting Helen— O thou who rulest, patroness and queen, Over this holy spot of sacred Brauron, Bow-bearing daughter of Latona and Jove, As the tragedians call you; who alone Have power to do and say whate'er they please.
