Book 6
42
And he mentions Chærephon the parasite in the passage which precedes this. But Menander mentions him likewise in the Cecryphalus: and in his Anger he says— The man does not differ the least from Chærephon, Whoever he may be. He once was ask'd to supper At four o'clock, and so he early rose, And measuring the shadow on the dial By the moon's light, he started off and came To eat his supper at the break of day. And in his Drunkenness he says— That witty fellow Chærephon delay'd me, Saying that he should make a marriage feast The twenty-second of the month, that then He might dine with his friends the twenty-fourth, For that the goddess's affairs were prospering. And he mentions him also in his Man-woman, or the Cretan. But Timocles in his Letters mentions him especially as having attached himself as a parasite to Demotion, who was an intemperate man— But Demotion was one who spared for nothing, Thinking his money never could run dry, But dinners gave to all who liked to come. And Chærephon, that wretchedest of men, Treated his house as though it were his own. And yet is not this a most shameful thing, To take a branded slave for a parasite For he's a perfect clown, and not in want. And Antiphanes says in his Scythian— Let us go now to sup, just as we are, Bearing our torches and our garlands with us; 'Twas thus that Chærephon, when supperless, Used to manœuvre for an invitation. And Timotheus says in his Puppy— Let us start off to go to supper now, 'Tis one of twenty covers as he told me; Though Chærephon perhaps may add himself.
