Book 8
67
And when we are sacrificing to the gods, we spend as little as possible upon our sacrifices, and give them the most ordinary presents; as the admirable Menander tells us, in his Drunkenness:— We don't do other things as we perform Our duties to the gods. We sacrifice One sheep scarce worth ten or a dozen drachmæ; But for our flute-women, our perfumes rich, Our harpers, Thasian and Mendæan wine, Eels, cheese, and honey to regale ourselves, We do not a whole talent think too much. 'Tis very well to spend a dozen drachmæ When we are sacrificing to the gods, But if you much curtail that slight expense, Are you not thus dishonouring the gods? I, if I were a god, would ne'er allow A scanty loin of beef to load my altars, Unless an eel were also sacrificed, So that Callimedon might die of rage.
