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and began to read. The verses were these, if I remember right: O what a maiden in the halls Of Aristaenetus Her gentle nurture had, our queen Cleanthis glorious! Superior to other maids As many as there be, Than Aphrodite prettier And Helen eke is she. To you, O groom, a greeting too, Most handsome of your mates And handsomer than those of old Of whom Homer relates. We unto you the song you hear Will sing repeatedly To celebrate your wedding-day: It’s made for both you see!The translator’s version is perhaps better than the original: it could not, be worse.
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That caused a laugh, as you can imagine; and then it was time to take what was set before us. Aristaenetus and Eucritus each took the portion in front of him: I took what was mine and Chaereas what was set before him, and Ion and Cleodemus did likewise. But Diphilus wanted to carry off not only his own but all that had been served for Zeno, who was away; he said that it had been served to him alone, and fought with the servants. They caught hold of the bird and tried to pull it away from each other as if they were tugging at the body of Patroclus, and at last he was beaten and let go. He made the company laugh heartily, especially because he was indignant afterwards, just as if he had been done the greatest possible wrong.
