Kitap 7
55
But Antiphanes, in his Lycon, jesting on the Egyptians after the manner of the comic poets, says— They say in other things the Egyptian race Is clever also, since they think the eel On a level with the gods; or I may say By far more valuable. For, as to the gods,— Those we gain over by our prayers alone; But as for eels, without you spend at least Twelve drachmas you can scarce get leave to smell them. So it is altogether a holy beast. And Anaxandrides, in his Cities, directing what he says to the Egyptians, speaks as follows— I never could myself your comrade be, For neither do'our manners nor our laws Agree with yours, but they are wholly different. You do adore an ox; I sacrifice him To the great Gods of heaven. You do think An eel the mightiest of deities; But we do eat him as the best of fish. You eat no pork; I like it above all things. You do adore a dog; but I do beat him If e'er I catch him stealing any meat. Then our laws enjoin the priests to be Most perfect men; but yours are mutilated. If you do see a cat in any grief You weep; but I first kill him and then skin him. You have a great opinion of the shrew-mouse; But I have none at all. And Timocles, in his Egyptians, says— How can an ibis or a dog be able To save a man? For where with impious hearts Men sin against the all-acknowledged Gods, And yet escape unpunish'd, who can think The altar of a cat will be more holy, Or prompter to avenge itself, than they?
