Book 6
51
And Diphilus, in his Synoris (and Synoris is the name of a courtesan), mentioning Euripides (and Euripides is the name given to a particular throw on the dice), and punning on the name of the poet, says this at the same time about parasites:— A. You have escaped well from such a throw. S. You are right witty. A. Well, lay down your drachma. S. That has been done: how shall I throw Euripides? A. Euripides will never save a woman. See you not how he hates them in his tragedies? But he has always fancied parasites, And thus he speaks, you'll easily find the place: "For every rich man who does not feed At least three men who give no contribution, Exile deserves and everlasting ruin." S. Where is that passage? A. What is that to you 'Tis not the play, but the intent that signifies. And in the amended edition of the same play, speaking of a parasite in a passion, he says— Is then the parasite angry? is he furious? Not he; he only smears with gall the table, And weans himself like any child from milk. And immediately afterwards he adds— A. Then you may eat, O parasite. B. Just see How he disparages that useful skill. A. Well, know you not that all men rank a parasite Below a harp-player And in the play, which is entitled The Parasite, he says— A surly man should never be a parasite.
52
And Menander, in his Passion, speaking of a friend who had refused an invitation to a marriage feast, says— This is to be a real friend; not one Who asks, What time is dinner? as the rest do. And, Why should we not all at once sit down? And fishes for another invitation To-morrow and next day, and then again Asks if there's not a funeral feast to follow. And Alexis in his Orestes, Nicostratus in his Plutus, Menander in his Drunkenness, and in his Lawgiver, speak in the same way; and Philonides, in his Buskins, says— I being abstinent cannot endure Such things as these.
