17
All shall have their meat on equal terms. The waiters shall not show favour to anyone, but shall neither be too slow nor be dismissed until the guests choose what they are to take home. Neither are large portions to be placed before one and tiny ones before another, nor a ham for one and a pig’s jaw for another—all must be treated equally.
18
The man who pours the wine shall keep a sharp eye on each guest from a vantage-point; he shall pay less attention to his master, and his ears shall be sharper than usual. The cups shall be of all kinds. It shall be permissible to pass a loving-cup, if desired. Everyone shall drink to everyone else, if desired, when the rich man has set the example. No one shall be made to drink if he cannot.
18
It shall not be permissible for anyone who wishes it to introduce into the banquet a dancer or lyre-player who is still learning.
18
Jesting shall be limited in all cases to what is inoffensive.
18
All gambling shall be for nuts. If anyone gambles for money he shall go without food for the next day.
18
Each guest shall stay and go as he likes.
18
When a rich man gives a banquet to his servants, his friends shall aid him in waiting on them.
18
Every rich man shall inscribe these laws on a slab of bronze and keep it in the centre of his hall, and read them. And it must be realised that as long as this slab shall last neither famine nor plague nor fire nor any other harm shall come to their house. May it never be taken down! For if it is, Heaven avert what is in store for them!
Correspondence with Cronus
19
1. Myself to Cronus—Greetings!
