Deipnosophistae
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14.1
To copious wine this insolence we owe,
14.1
And much thy betters wine can overthrow
14.1
The great Eurytion, when this frenzy stung,
14.1
Pirithous' roofs with frantic riot rung:
14.1
Boundless the Centaur raged, till one and all
14.1
The heroes rose and dragg'd him from the hall;
14.1
His nose they shorten'd, and his ears they slit,
14.1
And sent him sober'd home with better wit.
14.1
If all the men who to get drunk are apt,
14.1
Had every day a headache ere they drank
14.1
The wine, there is not one would drink a drop:
14.1
But as we now get all the pleasure first,
14.1
And then the drink, we lose the whole delight
14.1
In the sharp pain which follows.
14.1
He did all this when drunk (ἔξοινος).
14.2
But many men, from the wish to raise a laugh,
14.2
Practise sharp sayings; but those sorry jesters
14.2
I hate who let loose their unbridled tongues
14.2
Against the wise and good; nor do I class them
14.2
As men at all, but only as jokes and playthings.
14.2
Meantime they live at ease, and gather up
14.2
Good store of wealth to keep within their houses.
14.2
You're asking me, you laughless man,
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About the power to laugh again;
14.2
Your mother 'll give it you at home,
14.2
If you with reverence to her come.
14.3
And yet we labour much.
14.3
But Palamedes first, and Rhadamanthus,
14.3
Sought those who bring no other contribution,
14.3
But say amusing things.
14.5
They say that once there was a man at Athens,
14.5
A πλάνος, named Cephisodorus, who
14.5
Devoted all his life to this pursuit;
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And he, whenever to a hill he came,
14.5
Ran straight up to the top; but then descending
14.5
Came slowly down, and leaning on a stick.
14.5
They say the πλάνος Cephisodorus once
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Most wittily station'd in a narrow lane
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A crowd of men with bundles of large faggots,
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So that no one else could pass that way at all.
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Pantaleon himself did none deceive (ἐπλάνα)
14.5
Save only foreigners, and those, too, such
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As ne'er had heard of him: and often he,
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After a drunken revel, would pour forth
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All sorts of jokes, striving to raise a laugh
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By his unceasing chattering.
14.6
You begin ill, introducing τηνδεμουσαν, τήνδε μοῦσαν, this Muse; τήνδ’ ἐμοῦσαν, this woman vomiting.—
14.6
The mountain was in labour; Jupiter
14.6
Was greatly frighten'd: lo! a mouse was born.
14.7
Minerva cast away those instruments
14.7
Down from her sacred hand; and said, in scorn,
14.7
"Away, you shameful things—you stains of the body!
14.7
Shall I now yield myself to such malpractices'"
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It seems to me a scarcely credible thing
14.7
That the wise Pallas, holiest of goddesses,
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Should in the mountain groves have taken up
14.7
That clever instrument, and then again
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Thrown it away, fearing to draw her mouth
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Into an unseemly shape, to be a glory
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To the nymph-born, noisy monster Marsyas.
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For how should chaste Minerva be so anxious
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About her beauty, when the Fates had given her
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A childless, husbandless virginity?
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But this report, spread by vain-speaking men,
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Hostile to every chorus, flew most causelessly
14.7
Through Greece, to raise an envy and reproach
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Against the wise and sacred art of music.
14.7
And so the happy breath of the holy goddess
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Bestow'd this art divine on Bromius,
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With the quick motion of the nimble fingers.
14.7
And that wise Phrygian king who first poured forth
14.7
The notes from sweetly-sounding sacred flutes,
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Rivalling the music of the Doric Muse,
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Embracing with his well-join'd reeds the breath
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Which fills the flute with tuneful modulation.
14.8
What noise is this
14.8
What mean these songs of dancers now?
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What new unseemly fashion
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Has seized upon this stage to Bacchus sacred,
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Now echoing with various noise?
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Bromius is mine! is mine!
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I am the man who ought to sing,
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I am the man who ought to raise the strain,
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Hastening o'er the hills,
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In swift inspired dance among the Naiades;
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Blending a song of varied strain,
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Like the sweet dying swan.
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You, O Pierian Muse, the sceptre sway
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Of holy song:
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And after you let the shrill flute resound;
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For that is but the handmaid
14.8
Of revels, where men combat at the doors,
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And fight with heavy fists.The text here is corrupt and hopeless.—Schweig.
14.8
* * * * *
14.8
And is the leader fierce of bloody quarrel.
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Descend, O Bacchus, on the son of Phrynæus,
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The leader of the changing choir,—
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Chattering, untimely, leading on
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The rhythm of the changing song.
14.8
* * * * w
14.8
King of the loud triumphal dithyrambic,
14.8
Whose brow the ivy crowns,
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Hear this my Doric song.
14.9
Clearly, O youth, the music of the flute,
14.9
And that which from the lyre comes, does suit
14.9
Well with our pastimes; for when each resound
14.9
In unison with the feelings of those present,
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Then is the greatest pleasure felt by all.
14.9
Tell me, I pray you, what this concert (ἡ συναυλία αἵτη) was
14.9
Which he did give you. For you know; but they
14.9
Having well learnt, still played.This passage, again, is hopelessly corrupt. Merum Augeee stabu- lum. —Casaub. . . . . . . .
14.9
* * * * *
14.9
A concert of sweet sounds, apart from words,
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Is pleasant, and not destitute of meaning.
14.10
πλεῖστον οὖλον οὖλον ἵει, ἴουλον ἵει.
14.11
The lofty oaks, Menalcas."
14.13
He pierced forbidden fruit with deadly sting,)
14.13
And he, opening the door which leads from the back-street,
14.13
Sent forth vain thunder from a leafy cave,
14.13
Such as a mighty ploughing ox might utter.
14.15
If any surgeon of the country says,
14.15
"Give him at early dawn a platter full
14.15
Of barley-broth," we shall at once despise him;
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But if he says the same with foreign accent,
14.15
We marvel and admire him. If he call
14.15
The beet-root σεύτλιον, we disregard him;
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But if he style it τεύτλιον, we listen,
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And straightway, with attention fix'd, obey;
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As if there were such difference between
14.15
σεύτλιον and τεύτλιον.
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You, you whole body of Theban citizens,
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Know absolutely nothing; for I hear
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You call the cuttle-fish not σηπία,
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But ὀπισθότιλα. Then, too, you term
14.15
A cock not ἀλεκτρύων, but ὀρτάλιχος:
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A physician is no longer in your mouths
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ἰατρὸς—no, but σακτάς. For a bridge,
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You turn γέφυρα into βλέφυρα.
14.15
Figs are not σῦκα now, but τῦκα: swallows,
14.15
κωτιλάδες, not χελιδόνες. A mouthful
14.15
With you is ἄκολος; to laugh, ἐκριδδέμεν.
14.15
A new-seled shoe you call νεοσπάτωτον.
14.16
Out of the way; a clear space leave
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For the great mighty god:
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For the god, to his ancles clad,
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Will pass along the centre of the crowd.
14.16
For you, O Bacchus, do we now set forth -
14.16
This tuneful song; uttering in various melody
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This simple rhythm.
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It is a song unsuited to a virgin;
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Nor are we now addressing you with hymns
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Made long ago, but this our offering
14.16
Is fresh unutter'd praise.
14.17
O wretched man, why stand you at the doors
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Why don't you enter'? Long ago the geese
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Have all been deftly carved limb from limb;
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Long the hot pork has had the meat cut off
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From the long backbone, and the stuffing, which
14.17
Lay in the middle of his stomach, has
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Been served around; and all his pettitoes,
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The dainty slices of fat, well-season'd sausages,
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Have all been eaten. The well-roasted cuttle-fish
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Is swallow'd long ago; and nine or ten
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Casks of rich wine are drain'd to the very dregs.
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So if you'd like some fragments of the feast,
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Hasten and enter. Don't, like hungry wolf,
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Losing this feast, then run about at random.
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A. We now are well supplied with everything;
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For she, the namesake of the dame within,
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The rich Bœotian eel, carved in the depths
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Of the ample dish, is warm, and swells, and boils,
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And bubbles up, and smokes; so that a man,
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E'en though equipp'd with brazen nostrils, scarcely
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Could bear to leave a banquet such as this,—
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So rich a fragrance does it yield his senses.
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B. Say you the cook is living
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A. There is near
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A cestreus, all unfed both night and day,
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Scaled, wash'd, and stain'd with cochineal, and turned;
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And as he nears his last and final turn
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He cracks and hisses; while the servant bastes
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The fish with vinegar: then there's Libyan silphium,
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Dried in the genial rays of midday sun:—
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B. Yet there are people found who dare to say
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That sorcerers possess no sacred power;
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For now I see three men their bellies filling
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While you are turning this.
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A. And the comrade squid
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Bearing the form of the humpback'd cuttlefish,
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Dreadful with armed claws and sharpen'd talons,
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Changing its brilliant snow-white nature under
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The fiery blasts of glowing coal, adorns
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Its back with golden splendour; well exciting
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Hunger, the best forerunner of a feast.
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Do not delay, but enter: when we've dined
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We then can best endure what must be borne.
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Sup on white congers, and whatever else
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Can boast a sticky nature; for by such food
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The breath is strengthen'd, and the voice of man
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Is render'd rich and powerful.
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And music is a deep and subtle science,
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And always finding out some novelty
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For those who 're capable of comprehending it;
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For, by the gods I swear, music, like Libya,
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Brings forth each year some novel prodigy;
14.19
I sing the praise of Ceres and of Proserpine,
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The sacred wife of Clymenus, Melibœa;
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Raising the heavy-sounding harmony
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Of hymns Aeolian.
14.19
Aim not at too sustain'd a style, nor yet
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At the relax'd Ionian harmony;
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But draw a middle furrow through your ground,
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And follow the Eolian muse in preference.
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But to all men who wish to raise their voices,
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The Aeolian harmony's most suitable.
14.20
Pythermus speaks of gold as though all else were nought.
14.20
All other things but gold are good for nothing.
14.21
First of all, Greeks, the comrades brave of Pelops,
14.21
Sang o'er their wine, in Phrygian melody,
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The praises of the mighty Mountain Mother;
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But others, striking the shrill strings of the lyre,
14.21
Gave forth a Lydian hymn."
14.23
My lofty house is bright with brass,
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And all my dwelling is adorn'd, in honour
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Of mighty Mars, with shining helms,
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O'er which white horsehair crests superbly wave,
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Choice ornament for manly brows;
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And brazen greaves, on mighty pegs suspended,
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Hang round the hall; fit to repel
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The heavy javelin or the long-headed spear.
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There, too, are breastplates of new linen,
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And many a hollow shield, thrown basely down
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By coward enemies in flight:
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There, too, are sharp Chalcidic swords, and belts,
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Short military cloaks besides,
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And all things suitable for fearless war;
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Which I may ne'er forget,
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Since first I girt myself for the adventurous work—
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But I'm a willing servant of great Mars,
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Skill'd also in the Muses' lovely art.
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The grove of Marathon, and the long-hair'd Medes;
14.23
Who felt his courage, well may speak of it.
14.24
I hear, what graces every feast, the lyre;
14.24
Thus the blest gods the genial day prolong
14.24
In feasts ambrosial and celestial song:
14.24
Apollo tuned the lyre,—the Muses round,
14.24
With voice alternate, aid the silver sound.
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I, all excited in my mind with wine,
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Am skilful in the dithyrambic, knowing
14.24
The noble melodies of the sovereign Bacchus.
14.24
A water-drinker knows no dithyrambics.
14.25
So that if any one danced well, the sight
14.25
Was pleasing: but they now do nothing rightly,
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But stand as if amazed, and roar at random.
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But they who in the dance most suitably
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Do honour to the Gods, are likewise best
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In all the deeds of war.
14.26
I both did dance, and taught the citizens
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The art of music, and my flute-player
14.26
Was Anacus the Phialensian;
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My name was Bacchides of Sicyon;
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And this my duty to the gods perform'd
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Was honourable to my country Sicyon.
14.27
Where are my roses, and where are my violets?
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Where is my beautiful parsley
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Are these then my roses, are these then my violets
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And is this my beautiful parsley?
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And all these old σκωπεύματα of yours.
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He walks as though he were dancing the Callabides.
14.28
To flee, and not like madmen to stand firm,
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Nor be afraid to seem a short time cowards.
14.30
There's no room now for sitting down,
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There's no room for delay.
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The Lacedæmonian troop of maidens fair.
14.32
And then the sophist sweetly struck the lyre.
14.32
Ἐπειδὴ νῆάς τε καὶ ʽελλήσποντον ἵκοντο. Iliad, xxiii. 2.
14.32
Ἐπίτονος τετάνυστο βοὸς ἶφι κταμένοιο.
14.32
αἶψα δ’ ἄρ’ αἰνείαν υἱὸν φίλον Ἀγχίσαο. This passage perplexes me on two accounts; first of all because I have not been able to find such a line in Homer; and secondly because I do not see what is faulty or weak in it; and it cannot be because it is a spondaic verse, for of that kind there are full six hundred n Homer. The other line comes from Iliad, ii. 731. —Schweigh.
14.32
τῶν δ’ αὖθ’ ἡγείσθην Ἀσκληπιοῦ δύο παῖδες.
14.32
τρῶες δ’ ἐῤῥίγησαν ὅπως ἴδον αἴολον ὄφιν.
14.32
καλὴ κασσιέπεια θεοῖς δέμας ἐοικυῖα. There is a difficulty again here, for there is no such line found in Homer; the line most like it is— καλὴ καστιάνειρα, δέμας εἰκυῖα θεῆοι. Iliad, viii. 305. In which, however, there is no incorrectness or defect at all.
14.32
τοῦ φέρον ἔμπλησας ἀσκὸν μέγαν, ἐν δὲ καί ἤϊα.
14.33
The Lacedæmonian grasshopper sweetly sings,
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Well suited to the chorus.
14.33
President of sweetest hymns:
14.33
The honey-wing'd melodies of the Muse.
14.33
With this he soothes his lofty soul, and sings
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Th' immortal deeds of heroes and of kings.
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Phemius, let acts of gods and heroes old,
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What ancient bards in hall and bower have told,
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Attemper'd to the lyre your voice employ,
14.33
Such the pleased ear will drink with silent joy.
14.33
A mighty monster is let loose at last
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Into the marsh, fiercer than wildest boar;
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And when once master of the neighbouring ground
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It soon will fight with ease 'gainst numerous hosts.
14.34
O Jove, it were a happy thing to die
14.34
While playing on the flute. For flute-players
14.34
Are th' only men who in the shades below
14.34
Feel the soft power and taste the bliss of Venus.
14.34
But those whose coarser minds know nought of music,
14.34
Pour water always into bottomless casks.
14.35
I hold my magadis and sing,
14.35
Striking loud the twentieth string,
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Leucaspis, as the rapid hour
14.35
Leads you to youth's and beauty's flower.
14.35
And let the Lydian flute, the magadis,
14.35
Breathe its sweet sounds, and lead the tuneful song.
14.35
I will speak to you like a magadis,
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In soft and powerful sounds at the same time.
14.36
But come, ye Lydian ψάλτριαι, and singing
14.36
Your ancient hymns, do honour to this stranger.
14.36
It may be that a worthless son may sing
14.36
His father or his mother on the magadis (μαγαδίζειν),
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Sitting upon the wheel; but none of us
14.36
Shall ever play such music now as theirs.
14.36
Singing responsive songs on tuneful harps.
14.36
There sounded too the Phrygian triangle,
14.36
With oft-repeated notes; to which responded
14.36
The well-struck strings of the soft Lydian pectis.
14.37
I hold my magadis and sing,
14.37
Striking loud the twentieth string,
14.37
Leucaspis.
14.37
The sweet responsive lyre
14.37
Which long ago the Lesbian bard,
14.37
Terpander, did invent, sweet ornament
14.37
To the luxurious Lydian feasts, when he
14.37
Heard the high-toned pectis.
14.38
And now I hear the turban-wearing women,
14.38
Votaries of th' Asiatic Cybele,
14.38
The wealthy Phrygians' daughters, loudly sounding
14.38
With drums, and rhombs, and brazen-clashing cymbals,
14.38
Their hands in concert striking on each other,
14.38
Pour forth a wise and healing hymn to the gods.
14.38
Likewise the Lydian and the Bactrian maids
14.38
Who dwell beside the Halys, loudly worship
14.38
The Tmolian goddess Artemis, who loves
14.38
The laurel shade of the thick leafy grove,
14.38
Striking the clear three-corner'd pectis, and
14.38
Raising responsive airs upon the magadis,
14.38
While flutes in Persian manner neatly join'd
14.38
Accompany the chorus.
14.39
Diana, now my mind will have me utter
14.39
A pleasing song in honour of your deity,
14.39
While this my comrade strikes with nimble hand
14.39
The well-gilt brazen-sounding castanets.
14.39
And beating down the limpets from the rocks,
14.39
They make a noise like castanets (κρεμβαλιζουσι).
14.40
And put away the magadis.
14.40
And well-compacted lyres and magadides,
14.40
And other highly-polish'd instruments,
14.40
From which the Greeks do wake the sweetest sounds.
14.40
And each a different strain awakens,—
14.40
One struck the loud horn-sounding magadis,
14.40
And in the fivefold number of tight strings
14.40
Moved his hand to and fro most rapidly.
14.42
A. Here is a poet who has gained the prize
14.42
In choruses.
14.42
B. What is his style of poetry?
14.42
A. A noble kind.
14.42
B. How will he stand comparison
14.42
With Argas
14.42
A. He's a whole day's journey better.
14.42
For he appears a really clever man.
14.42
How gracefully he takes the instrument,
14.42
Then plays at once. . . . .
14.42
When I have eaten my fill, I then incline
14.42
To send you off to sing a match with Argas,
14.42
That you, my friend, may thus the sophists conquer.
14.43
I swear that neither now Gnesippus, nor
14.43
Cleomenes with all his nine-string'd lyre,
14.43
Could e'er have made this song endurable.
14.43
He is a man who sings the ancient songs
14.43
Of Alcman, and Stesichorus, and Simonides;
14.43
He likewise has composed songs for the night,
14.43
Well suited to adulterers, with which
14.43
They charm the women from their doors, while striking
14.43
The shrill iambyca or the triangle.
14.43
Who, O Gnesippus, e'er saw me in love
14.43
I am indignant; for I do think nothing
14.43
Can be so vain or foolish as a lover.
14.43
A man who would not give to Sophocles
14.43
A chorus when he asked one; though he granted
14.43
That favour to Cleomachus, whom I
14.43
Should scarce think worthy of so great an honour,
14.43
At the Adonia.
14.43
Farewell to that great tragedian
14.43
Cleomachus, with his chorus of hair-pullers,
14.43
Plucking vile melodies in the Lydian fashion.
14.44
Among the Sourii, the freemen only
14.44
Assist at the holy sacrifice; none else
14.44
The temples or the altars dare approach;
14.44
And no slave may come near the sacred precincts.
14.46
Certainly, second thoughts are much the best;
14.46
For what now can the table want? or what
14.46
Is there with which it is not amply loaded?
14.46
'Tis full of fish fresh from the sea, besides
14.46
Here's tender veal, and dainty dishes of goose,
14.46
Tartlets, and cheesecakes steep'd most thoroughly
14.46
In the rich honey of the golden bee;
14.46
And in the same way everything is sold
14.46
Together at Athens; figs and constables,
14.46
Grapes, turnips, pears and apples, witnesses,
14.46
Roses and medlars, cheesecakes, honeycombs,
14.46
Vetches and law-suits; bee-strings of all kinds,
14.46
And myrtle-berries, and lots for offices,
14.46
Hyacinths, and lambs, and hour-glasses too,
14.46
And laws and prosecutions.
14.46
Cheesecakes, ἐπιδορπίσματα, and eggs,
14.46
And sesame; and were I to endeavour
14.46
To count up every dish, the day would fail me.
14.46
τράγημα, myrtle-berries, cheesecakes too,
14.46
And almonds; so that with the greatest pleasure
14.46
I eat the second course (ἐπιδορπίζομαι).
14.46
'Tis always pleasant supping with the Greeks;
14.46
They manage well; with them no one cries out—
14.46
Here, bring a stronger draught; for I must feast
14.46
With the Tanagrian; that there, lying down,
14.46
* * * * *
14.47
Almonds, and nuts, and ἐπιφορήματα.
14.47
The board was loaded with rich honey-cakes
14.47
And other ἐπιφορήματα.
14.47
Almonds, and nuts, and ἐπιφορήματα.
14.47
A. Come, tell me now,
14.47
Why are so few of the ἐπιτραπεζώματα
14.47
Remaining?
14.47
B. That man hated by the gods
14.47
Ate them all up.
14.47
And τρώγαλον is nice when supper's over,
14.47
And when the guests have eaten plentifully.
14.47
You see how happily life passes when
14.47
A man has always a well-appointed table.
14.48
And in the second course they carved
14.48
Your miserable limbs, and feasted on them;
14.48
But far from me shall be the thought profane,
14.48
That in foul feast celestials could delight.
14.48
A. First we will gratify you with a feast;
14.48
Lo! here it is.
14.48
B. But after that what means
14.48
Of pleasure will you offer me?
14.48
A. We'll anoint you
14.48
All over with a richly-smelling perfume.
14.48
B. Will you not give me first a jug of water
14.48
To wash my hands with!
14.48
A. Surely; the dessert (τράπεζα)
14.48
Is now being clear'd away.
14.48
Bring water for the hands; clear the dessert.
14.49
A. Would you drink Thasian wine?
14.49
B. No doubt, if any one
14.49
Fills me a goblet with it.
14.49
A. Then what think you
14.49
Of almonds?
14.49
B. I feel very friendly to them,
14.49
They mingle well with honey.
14.49
A. If a man
14.49
Should bring you honied cheesecakes?
14.49
B. I should eat them,
14.49
And swallow down an egg or two besides.
14.49
Then he introduced a dance, and after that he served up
14.49
A second course, provided well with every kind of dainty.
14.49
A. Did you e'er hear of what they call a ground βίος ἀληλεσμένος, a civilised life, in which one uses ground corn, and not raw fruits.—Liddell and Scott in voc. ἀλέω. life?
14.49
. . . . . . . . 'tis clearly
14.49
Cheesecakes, sweet wine, eggs, cakes of sesame,
14.49
Perfumes, and crowns, and female flute-players.
14.49
B. Castor and Pollux! why you have gone through
14.49
The names of all the dozen gods at once.
14.49
And when I had my garland on my head,
14.49
They brought in the dessert (ἡ τράπεζα), in which there were
14.49
So many dishes, that, by all the gods,
14.49
And goddesses too, I hadn't the least idea
14.49
There were so many different things i' th' house;
14.49
And never did I live so well as then.
14.49
A. Have water for your hands:
14.49
B. By no means, thank you;
14.49
I'm very comfortable as I am.
14.49
A. Pray have some;
14.49
You'll be no worse at all events. Boy, water!
14.49
And put some nuts and sweetmeats on the table.
14.49
A. Now is your table loaded well with sweetmeats.
14.49
B. I am not always very fond of sweetmeats.
14.49
He was a clever man who first invented
14.49
The use of sweetmeats; for he added thus
14.49
A pleasant lengthening to the feast, and saved men
14.49
From unfill'd mouths and idle jaws unoccupied.
14.49
A. I am not one, by Aesculapius!
14.49
To care excessively about my supper;
14.49
I'm fonder of dessert.
14.49
B. 'Tis very well.
14.49
A. For I do hear that sweetmeats are in fashion,
14.49
For suitors when they're following . . .
14.49
B. Their brides,—
14.49
A. To give them cheesecakes, hares, and thrushes too,
14.49
These are the things I like; but pickled fish
14.49
And soups and sauces I can't bear, ye gods!
14.50
Then there were brought some groats, some rich perfumes
14.50
From Egypt, and a cask of rich palm wine
14.50
Was broach'd. Then cakes and other kinds of sweetmeats,
14.50
Cheesecakes of every sort and every name;
14.50
And a whole hecatomb of eggs. These things
14.50
We ate, and clear'd the table vigorously,
14.50
For we did e'en devour some parasites.
14.50
And after supper they served up some kernels,
14.50
Vetches, and beans, and groats, and cheese, and honey,
14.50
Sweetmeats of various kinds, and cakes of sesame,
14.50
And pyramidical rolls of wheat, and apples,
14.50
Nuts, milk, hempseed too, and shell-fish,
14.50
Syrup, the brains of Jove.
14.50
Now is the time to clear the table, and
14.50
To bring each guest some water for his hands,
14.50
And garlands, perfumes, and libations,
14.50
Frankincense, and a chafing-dish. Now give
14.50
Some sweetmeats, and let all some cheesecakes have.
14.50
Philoxenus now does surpass by far
14.50
All other poets. First of all he everywhere
14.50
Uses new words peculiar to himself;
14.50
And then how cleverly doth he mix his melodies
14.50
With every kind of change and modification!
14.50
Surely he is a god among weak men,
14.50
And a most thorough judge of music too,
14.50
But poets of the present day patch up
14.50
Phrases of ivy and fountains into verse,
14.50
And borrow old expressions, talking of
14.50
Melodies flying on the wings of flowers,
14.50
And interweave them with their own poor stuff.
14.51
Am I alone to sacrifice without
14.51
Having a taste allow'd me of the entrails,
14.51
Without a cheesecake, without frankincense?
14.51
Happy old man, who in the sea-girt isle
14.51
Of happy Paros dwell'st—a land which bears
14.51
Two things in high perfection; marble white,
14.51
Fit decoration for th' immortal gods,
14.51
And cheesecakes, dainty food for mortal men.
14.51
The cheesecake-making island named Samos.
14.52
It is not now a question about candyli,
14.52
Or all the other things which you are used
14.52
To mix together in one dish-eggs, honey,
14.52
And similago; for all these things now
14.52
Are out of place. The cook at present's making
14.52
Baked cheesecakes in a mould; and boiling groats
14.52
To serve up after the salt-fish,—and grapes,
14.52
And forced-meat wrapp'd in fig-leaves. And the maid,
14.52
Who makes the sweetmeats and the common cheesecakes,
14.52
Is roasting joints of meat and plates of thrushes.
14.52
A. Four tables did I mention to you of women,
14.52
And six of men; a supper, too, complete—
14.52
In no one single thing deficient;
14.52
Wishing the marriage-feast to be a splendid one.
14.52
B. Ask no one else; I will myself go round,
14.52
Provide for everything, and report to you.
14.52
. . . . . As many kinds of olives as you please;
14.52
For meat, you've veal, and sucking-pig, and pork,
14.52
And hares—
14.52
A. Hear how this cursed fellow boasts!
14.52
B. Forced-meat in fig-leaves, cheese, cheesecakes in moulds-
14.52
A. Here, Dromo!
14.52
B. Candyli, eggs, cakes of meal.
14.52
And then the table is three cubits high;
14.52
So that all those who sit around must rise
14.52
Whene'er they wish to help themselves to anything,
14.52
ἄμητες, ἄμυλοι;
14.52
You would be glad were any one to dress
14.52
A cheesecake (ἄμητα) for you.
14.52
Thrushes flew of their own accord
14.52
Right down my throat with savoury ἀμητίσκοι.
14.53
He was so greedy that he ate a whole
14.53
Diaconium up, besides an amphiphon.
14.53
Diana, mistress dear, I bring you now
14.53
This amphiphon, and these libations holy.
14.53
I've loaves, and barley-cakes, and bran, and flour,
14.53
And rolls, obelias, and honey'd cheesecakes,
14.53
Epichyti, ptisan, and common cheesecakes,
14.53
Dendalides, and fried bread.
14.53
Not eating hares or woodcocks,
14.53
Nor mingling small fried loaves with cakes of sesame,
14.53
Nor dipping attanite in honeycombs,
14.54
Groats and encrides,
14.54
And other cakes, and fresh sweet honey.
14.54
And not be a seller of encrides (ἐγκριδοπώλης).
14.54
Let him take this, and then along the road
14.54
Let him seize some encrides.
14.54
Some spend their time in drinking, and eating cakes,
14.54
And some eat bread, and others feast on γοῦροι
14.54
Mingled with lentils; and there is no kind
14.54
Of dainty wanting there, but all the fruits
14.54
Which the rich earth brings forth as food for men
14.54
Are present in abundance.
14.55
But I will send them in the evening
14.55
A charisian cheesecake.
14.55
I only just leapt out,
14.55
While baking the charisius.
14.55
And in the shades below you'll get for threepence
14.55
A crapatallus, and some ψώθια.
14.55
I broke my fast, taking a little slice
14.55
Of an ἴριον; but I drank a cask of wine.
14.55
Cheesecakes, and cakes of sesame, and ἴτρια.
14.55
But I, being hungry, look back at the ἴτρια.
14.55
Have you ne'er seen the fresh ταγήνιαι hissing,
14.55
When you pour honey over them?
14.55
The fresh ταγηνίας, dropping morning dew.
14.56
He is all grace, he steps like a callabis-dancer,
14.56
And breathes sesamides, and smells of apples.
14.56
Sesamides, or honey-cheesecakes,
14.56
Or any other dainty of the kind.
14.58
And then we'll give you poltos made of beans (πυάνιος),
14.58
And snow-white wheaten groats from unripe corn,
14.58
And fruit of wax.
14.58
To boil some morning πόλτος.
14.58
As one man smells like goats, but others
14.58
Breathe from their mouths unalloy'd μελικήρας.
14.59
And to drink twice the quantity of cool water,—
14.59
Two full heminas.
14.59
Hot cheesecakes now are things I'm fond of,
14.59
Wild pears I do not care about;
14.59
I also like rich bits of hare
14.59
Placed on an ἄμυλος.
14.60
A tripod, a bowl, a candlestick, a marble mortar,
14.60
A bench, a sponge, a caldron, a boat, a metal mortar,
14.60
An oil-cruse, a basket, a knife, a ladle,
14.60
A goblet, and a needle.
14.60
Soup, lentils, salted meat, and fish, and turnips,
14.60
Garlic, fresh meat, and tunny-roe, pickles, onions,
14.60
Olives, and artichokes, capers, truffles, mushrooms.
14.60
Ames, placous, entiltos, itrium,These are all names of different kinds of cheesecakes which cannot be distinguished from one another in an English translation.
14.60
Pomegranates, eggs, vetches, and sesame;
14.60
Coptè and grapes, dried figs, and pears and peaches
14.60
Apples and almonds."
14.60
Who was it who invented first black cakes (κοπταὶ)
14.60
Of the uncounted poppy-seed? who mix'd
14.60
The yellow compounds of delicious sweetmeats?
14.60
Cease gambling with the dice, my boy, and now
14.60
Feed for the future more on herbs. Your stomach
14.60
Is hard with indigestion; give up eating (ἀπέσθιε)
14.60
Those fish that cling to the rocks; the lees of wine
14.60
Will make your head and senses clear, and thus
14.60
You'll find your health, and your estate too, better.
14.60
Alas! alas! he bites me now, he bites,
14.60
And quite devours (ἀπεσθίει) my ears.
14.61
Pistachio nuts (ψιττάκια) upon the highest branches,
14.61
Like almonds to the sight.
14.61
And almond-looking βιστάκια were there.
14.62
A branch of paliurus.
14.63
A. Have you ne'er seen pears floating in deep water
14.63
Served up before some hungry men at dinner?
14.63
B. Indeed I have, and often; what of that?
14.63
A. Does not each guest choose for himself, and eat
14.63
The ripest of the fruit that swims before him?
14.63
B. No doubt he does.
14.63
Know you not how the Chian garden grows
14.63
Fine medlars
14.64
Except wheat flour and pomegranates.
14.64
Have you e'er seen the pomegranate's kernel in snow?
14.64
I bade him bring me from the farm pomegranates
14.64
Of the hard-kernell'd sort.
14.64
You are speaking of apples and pomegranates.
14.64
He took the rich pomegranates from their hands.
14.64
And after dinner I did set before them
14.64
Almonds, and after that we ate pomegranates.
14.67
Then came in figs, the emblem of fair Athens,
14.67
And bunches of sweet thyme.
14.67
They celebrate the praise of myrtle-berries,
14.67
Of honey, of the Propylæa, and of figs;
14.67
Now these I tasted when I first arrived,
14.67
And saw the Propylæa; yet have I found nothing
14.67
Which to a woodcock can for taste compare.
14.67
Barley cakes, cheesecakes, and Tithrasian figs.
14.67
There's really nothing nicer than dried figs;)
14.67
But pick me out some of those roasted figs.
14.67
Will you not bring me here some black dried figs
14.67
Dost understand? Among the Mariandyni,
14.67
That barbarous tribe, they call these black dried figs
14.67
Their dishes.
14.68
Thick hanging with the dusky grapes (σταφυλῆσι) themselves.
14.68
But let us not postpone this till to-morrow,
14.68
Still less till the day after.
14.68
Come hither, you are generous (γενναῖος);
14.68
But take these grapes (βότρυς), and in neat wine pound them.
14.68
And pour upon them many cups of water.
14.68
Then make him eat them when well steep'd in wine.
14.68
Almonds and apples, and the arbutus first,
14.68
And myrtle-berries, pastry, too, and grapes
14.68
Well steep'd in wine; and marrow.
14.69
He waits a little while, and then runs up
14.69
And says—I've bought some pigeons (περιστέρια) for you.
14.69
These are the things I want,—a little bird,
14.69
And then a pigeon (περιστέριον) and a paunch.
14.69
For bringing in some pigeons (περιστέρια) and some sparrows.
14.69
Bring him a pigeon (περιστέριον) for a threepenny piece.
14.70
When the first man imported to this city
14.70
A pair of peacocks, they were thought a rarity,
14.70
But now they are more numerous than quails;
14.70
So, if by searching you find one good man,
14.70
He will be sure to have five worthless sons.
14.70
That he should have devour'd so vast a sum!
14.70
Why if (by earth I swear) I fed on hares' milk
14.70
And peacocks, I could never spend so much.
14.70
Of equal value with your many trifles,
14.70
And peacocks, which you breed up for their feathers.
14.70
Is 't not a mad idea to breed up peacocks,
14.70
When every one can buy his private ornaments?
14.70
Besides all this, tame peacocks, loudly croaking.
14.70
They say that in the city of the Sun
14.70
The phœnix is produced; the owl in Athens;
14.70
Cyprus breeds doves of admirable beauty:
14.70
But Juno, queen of Samos, does, they say,
14.70
Rear there a golden race of wondrous birds,
14.70
The brilliant, beautiful, conspicuous peacock.
14.72
On this condition I will be the cook;
14.72
Nor shall all Sicily boast that even she
14.72
Produced so great an artist as to fish,
14.72
Nor Elis either, where I 've seen the flesh
14.72
Of dainty sucking-pigs well brown'd before
14.72
A rapid fire.
14.72
A delicate slice of tender sucking-pig,
14.72
Bought for three obols, hot, and very juicy,
14.72
When it is set before us.
14.72
Immediately he caught up some large slices (φλογίδες)
14.72
Of smoking roasted boar, and swallow'd them.
14.72
The pettitoes of little pigs, well cook'd
14.72
In various fashion; slices, too, of bulls
14.72
With sharpen'd horns, and great long steaks of boar,
14.72
All roasted (φλογίδες).
14.73
Nor, e'en though large, could he reach all this way.
14.73
Being a woman, 'tis but reasonable
14.73
That I should bring an udder.
14.74
Thus spake the hero, and the servants smiled,
14.74
And after brought, on silver dishes piled,
14.74
Fine fatten'd birds, clean singed around with flame,
14.74
Like cheesecakes on the back, their age the same.
14.74
If there was anywhere an oven, there
14.74
The well-fed sucking-pig did crackle, roasting.
14.74
Those women take the sucking-pigs (δελφάκια),
14.74
And fatten them by force;
14.74
To be fed up instead of pigs (δελφακίων).
14.74
Leanest of pigs (δέλφακα ῥαιότατον).
14.74
Wishing to eat τὸν δέλφακα.
14.74
Large pigs (δέλφακας μεγάλους).
14.74
A pregnant sow (κύουσαν δέλφακα);
14.74
Did he not serve up at the feast a sucking-pig (δέλφακα),
14.74
Whose teeth were not yet grown, a beautiful beast (καλὴν)?
14.74
Bring hither now the head of the sucking-pig (τῆς δέλφακος).
14.74
And they do sacrifice our sacred pig (τὴν ἱερὰν δέλφακα).
14.74
Ἐχήνισας,,—this noise is always made
14.74
By all the pupils of Timotheus.
14.75
I put before you now this salted meat.
14.75
The servant always ate some salted crab.
14.76
I once did think that Sicily could make
14.76
This one especial thing, good-flavour'd cheese;
14.76
But now I've heard this good of it besides,
14.76
That not only is the cheese of Sicily good,
14.76
But all its pigeons too: and if one speaks
14.76
Of richly-broider'd robes, they are Sicilian;
14.76
And so I think that island now supplies
14.76
All sorts of dainties and of furniture.
14.76
You're taking wondrous trouble beforehand,
14.76
Telembrotus:
14.76
And there is the fine Achaian cheese,
14.76
Called the Tromilican, which I've brought with me.
14.76
There is, too, τυρὸς ὀπίας, and Jove's milk.
14.76
Having these πυρίεφθαι, and these herbs.
14.77
But shall I flee, who am a freeman born
14.77
'Tis a male sphinx, it seems, and not a cook,
14.77
That I've brought home; for, by the gods I swear,
14.77
I do not understand one single word
14.77
Of all he says; so well provided is he
14.77
With every kind of new expression.
14.77
Thus have these matters happen'd: but just now,
14.77
While waiting on my master, a good joke
14.77
Occurr'd to me; I never will be caught
14.77
Stealing his meat.
14.77
A. Did you go out of doors, you who were cook?
14.77
B. If I remain'd within I lost my supper.
14.77
A. Let me then first . . . . B. Let me alone, I say;
14.77
I'm going to the forum to sacrifice:
14.77
A friend of mine, a comrade too in art,
14.77
Has hired me.
14.78
Now a libation. Boy, distribute round
14.78
The entrails. Whither are you looking now?
14.78
Now a libation—quick! you Sosia, quick!
14.78
Quick! a libation. That will do; now pour.
14.78
First let us pray to the Olympian gods,
14.78
And now to all the Olympian goddesses:
14.78
Meantime address them; pray them all to give
14.78
Us safety, health, and all good things in future,
14.78
And full enjoyment of all present happiness.
14.78
Such shall be now our prayers.
14.78
And how I roasted, how I carved the meat,
14.78
You know: what is there that I can't do well?
14.79
With that the chief the tender victims slew,
14.79
And in the dust their bleeding bodies threw;
14.79
The vital spirit issued at the wound,
14.79
And left the members quivering on the ground.
14.79
Two heralds now, despatch'd to Troy, invite
14.79
The Phrygian monarch to the peaceful rite;
14.79
Talthybius hastens to the fleet, to bring
14.79
The lamb for Jove, th' inviolable king.
14.79
A splendid scene! Then Agamemnon rose;
14.79
The boar Talthybius held; the Grecian lord
14.79
Drew the broad cutlass, sheath'd beside his sword.
14.80
A. Dost thou not know that the cook's art contributes
14.80
More than all others to true piety?
14.80
B. Is it indeed so useful A. Troth it is,
14.80
You ignorant barbarian: it releases
14.80
Men from a brutal and perfidious life,
14.80
And cannibal devouring of each other,
14.80
And leads us to some order; teaching us
14.80
The regular decorum of the life
14.80
Which now we practise. B. How is that? A. Just listen.
14.80
Once men indulged in wicked cannibal habits,
14.80
And numerous other vices; when a man
14.80
Of better genius arose, who first
14.80
Sacrificed victims, and did roast their flesh;
14.80
And, as the meat surpass'd the flesh of man,
14.80
They then ate men no longer, but did slay
14.80
The herds and flocks, and roasted them and ate them.
14.80
And when they once had got experience
14.80
Of this most dainty pleasure. they increased
14.80
In their devotion to the cook's employment;
14.80
So that e'en now, remembering former days,
14.80
They roast the entrails of their victims all
14.80
Unto the gods, and put no salt thereon,
14.80
For at the first beginning they knew not
14.80
The use of salt as seasoning; but now
14.80
They have found out its virtue, so they use it
14.80
At their own meals, but in their holy offerings
14.80
They keep their ancient customs; such as were
14.80
At first the origin of safety to us:
14.80
That love of art, and various seasoning,
14.80
Which carries to perfection the cook's skill.
14.80
B. Why here we have a new Palæphatus.
14.80
A. And after this, as time advanced, a paunch,
14.80
A well-stuff'd paunch was introduced . . . .
14.80
. . . . . . . .
14.80
Then they wrapped up a fish, and quite concealed it
14.80
In herbs, and costly sauce, and groats, and honey;
14.80
And as, persuaded by these dainty joys
14.80
Which now I mention, every one gave up
14.80
His practice vile of feeding on dead men,
14.80
Men now began to live in company,
14.80
Gathering in crowds; cities were built and settled;
14.80
All owing, as I said before, to cooks.
14.80
B. Hail, friend! you are well suited to my master.
14.80
A. We cooks are now beginning our grand rites;
14.80
We're sacrificing, and libations offering,
14.80
Because the gods are most attentive to us,
14.80
Pleased that we have found out so many things,
14.80
Tending to make men live in peace and happiness.
14.80
B. Well, say no more about your piety—
14.80
A. I beg your pardon—B. But come, eat with me,
14.80
And dress with skill whate'er is in the house.
14.81
A. Consider, now, how sweet the earth doth smell,
14.81
How fragrantly the smoke ascends to heaven:
14.81
There lives, I fancy, here within this cave
14.81
Some perfume-seller, or Sicilian cook.
14.81
B. The scent of both is equally delicious.
14.81
And at the feast, delicious cakes,
14.81
Well season'd by Sicilian art.
14.81
Do ye applaud,
14.81
If the meat's dress'd with rich and varied skill.
14.81
I, having had one cook, have thoroughly learnt
14.81
All the bad tricks of cooks, while they compete
14.81
With one another in their trade. One said
14.81
His rival had no nose to judge of soup
14.81
With critical taste; that other had
14.81
A vicious palate; while a third could never
14.81
(If you'd believe the rest) restrain his appetite,
14.81
Without devouring half the meat he dress'd.
14.81
This one loved salt too much, and that one vinegar;
14.81
One burnt his meat; one gorged; one could not stand
14.81
The smoke; a sixth could never bear the fire.
14.81
At last they came to blows; and one of them,
14.81
Shunning the sword, fell straight into the fire.
14.81
A. Is not this, then, an owl? B. Aye, such as I
14.81
Say should be dress'd in brine. A. Well; and this pike
14.81
B. Why roast him whole. A. This shark? B. Boil him in sauce.
14.81
A. This eel? B. Take salt, and marjoram, and water.
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A. This conger? B. The same sauce will do for him.
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A. This ray? B. Strew him with herbs. A. Here is a slice
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Of tunny. B. Roast it. A. And some venison. B. Roast it.
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A. Then here's a lot more meat. B. Boil all the rest.
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A. Here's a spleen. B. Stuff it. A. And a nestis. B. Bah!
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This man will kill me.
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A. Well, O Sibynna, we ne'er sleep at nights,
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Nor waste our time in laziness: our lamp
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Is always burning; in our hands a book;
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And long we meditate on what is left us
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By—B. Whom? A. By that great Actides of Chios,
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Or Tyndaricus, that pride of Sicyon,
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Or e'en by Zopyrinus. B. Find you anything?
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A. Aye, most important things. B. But what? The dead . . .
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Take, then, this meat which thus is sent to you;
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Dress it, and feast, and drink the cheerful healths,
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λέπεσθε, ματτυάζετε.
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Put now a guard on me, while naked, and
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Amid my cups the ματτύης shall delight me.
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Let some one pour us now some wine to drink,
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And make some ματτύη quick.
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But when I found them all immersed in business,
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I cried,—Will no one give us now a ματτύη?
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There's nothing that I'm fonder of than ματτύη;
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But whether 'twas the Macedonians
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Who first did teach it us, or all the gods,
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I know not; but it must have been a person
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Of most exalted genius.
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Well done, my men,—extremely well! but now
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I will arrange the rest, and then the ματτύη;
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So that I think the man himself will never
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Find fault with us again.
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Thrium and candylus he never saw,
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Or any of the things which make a ματτύη.
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They brought, instead of a ματτύη, some paunch,
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And tender pettitoes, and tripe, perhaps.
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So that sometimes, when I a ματτύη
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Was making for them, in haste would bring
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(More haste worse speed) . . . . . This passage is abandoned as corrupt by Schweighauser.
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When one can lay aside one's load, all day
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Making and serving out rich μάττυαι.