For to spend much, and never to get aught, A third man gets a share his mouth to stop. PHILIPPIDES. [Flourished about B.C. 320-300.] WHEN you have erred, be glad that you are blamed; It is not hard for those in weakly plight Desert a Beggar Born. It grieves me much to see the world so changed, Was thought a splendid offering: but such gifts Than rogues are watching to purloin it thence. APOLLODORUS (CARYSTIUS). [Flourished about B.C 300-260.] MAKE fast your door with bars of iron quite: But cat and paramour will get through in spite. Each one by his deeds should be A peaceful life is sweet; it would be blest When I was young, I pitied those untimely reft in their bloom; But now when I see the aged borne along to the tomb, I weep indeed - but for my fate, not for theirs, is the gloom. A One-Sided Retort. I do not scorn, Philinus, old men's ways, Which may be yours when age has come to you, In this - Unless your sire does something for you, When erring-"Haven't you been old yourself?" There is a certain hospitable air In a friend's home that tells me I am welcome; The porter opens to me with a smile, The yard dog wags his tail, the servant runs, Beats up the cushion, spreads the couch, and says- EUPHRON. [Dates unknown.] TELL me, all-judging Jove, if this be fair,- Who by his own profession is distrest, Wretch! find new gods to witness to new lies: PHOENICIDES. [Flourished about B.C. 272.] A Courtesan and Her Keepers. So HELP me Venus! as I'm fairly sick No more on't! I'll be no man's mistress, I; And when I asked him for a taste, 'twas poison; That he so slightly prized it; all in vain I could not wring a drachma from his clutches,— Defend me, Heaven, from all philosophers! POSIDIPPUS. [Began to exhibit in 289.] OUR talent gains us much acquaintanceship, STRATO. [Uncertain; probably contemporary of the above.] I'VE harbored a he-sphinx and not a cook; No sooner had he entered on his office, You're crazy, sure: none by that name are bidden. "No table usher, no one to officiate As master of the courses?"-No such person; These are my guests and friends, and amongst these "Gods! is it possible?" cried he: Most certain, I patiently replied. He swelled and huffed, As if, forsooth, I had done him heinous wrong, And robbed him of his proper dignity; Ridiculous conceit!" What offering mak'st thou To Erysichthon?" he demanded: None. "Shall not the wide-horned ox be felled?" cries he: And more than a blind poet."- Not with me: This said, we parted. BATO. [Flourished about B.C. 217.] BEING a man, you've erred: in life 'twould be The Scholar. Good, good, Sibynna! Ours is no art for sluggards to acquire, Nor should the hour of deepest midnight see Of ancient lore before us: What, what hath THE MIMES OF HERONDAS. [HERONDAS (or HERODAS) flourished probably about B.C. 250.] (The first three translated by J. A. Symonds: the comments and abstracts by him also.) THE GO-BETWEEN. Scene: A Private House, where METRICHA, a young wife, in the absence of her husband, MANDRIS, on the sea, is seated alone within reach of a female slave, THRESSA. GYLLIS comes to pay a visit. Metricha-Thressa, some one is knocking at the house Won't you run to see whether a visitor has arrived from the country? door. Thressa Who knocks? Gyllis-It's me. Thressa-Who are you? Who are you? Are you afraid to come near? Gyllis — Well, then, see, I have come up. Thressa Who are you, say ? Gyllis Gyllis, the mother of Philænion. Tell Metricha inside there that I'm here. Metricha- Invite her in. Who is she? Thressa Gyllis. Metricha-Grandam Gyllis! [To the slave.] Turn your back a minute, girl. [To Gyllis.] Which of the Fates has coaxed you into coming, Gyllis, to our house? What brings you here like a deity to mortals? I verily believe it must be five months or near it since you, Gyllis, even in a dream, so help me Fate, were seen by any one approaching this door. Gyllis-I live a long way off, child, and in the lanes the mud is up to one's knees; besides, I have no more strength than a fly. Old age is dragging us down, and the shadow stands anear and waits. Metricha-Tut, tut! - Tut, tut! You're strong enough yet, Don't calumniate time in that way! Gyllis, to throttle your neighbors. Gyllis Jeer on! That's the way with you young women Metricha-Pray don't take fire at what I said. Gyllis-Well, then, my girl, how long do you mean to go on like a widow, in loneliness, wearing out your solitary bed? |