The Carousal, or the Lapiths (1-5)

They say you had all kinds of sport yesterday, Lycinus, at the house of Aristaenetus, at dinner, and that several speeches on philosophy were made, out of which quite a quarrel arose. Unless Charinus was lying, the affair even ended in wounds and the party was finally broken up by the shedding of blood.

LYCINUS Now how did Charinus know that, Philo? He did not dine with us.

PHILO He said that Dionicus, the doctor, told “him. Dionicus, I suppose, was one of the guests.

LYCINUS Yes, to be sure ; but even he was not there for all of it, from the very beginning: it was late and the battle was about half over when he came on the scene, a little before the wounds. So I am surprised that he could give a clear account of any of it, as he did not witness what led up to the quarrel that ended in bloodshed.

PHILO True, Lycinus; and for that very reason Charinus told us, if we wanted to hear the truth of it and all the details, to come to you, saying that Dionicus

LYCINUS It was rather a silly affair, Philo, and yet you want me to publish it abroad and tell what happened when heads were turned with wine, when it all should be forgotten and the whole business put down'to a god— . Dionysus, I mean, who scarcely permits anyone to remain uninitiated in his rites and a stranger to his revels. Don’t you think it rather bad form to enquire into such matters minutely? The proper thing is to leave them behind you in the diningroom when you go away. As you know, there is a saying from the poets: “I hate to drink with him that hath a memory.” [*] And Dionicus did not do right, either, to blab it all to Charinus and besprinkle philosophers with the copious dregs of their stale cups. As for me—get out with you! I shan’t tell you anything of the kind !

PHILO That is all put on, Lycinus. But you needn’t have acted that way with me, for I know very well that

LYCINUS Don’t get angry! I will tell you, since you are so anxious, but don’t you tell a lot of people.

PHILO If I have not forgotten all I know of you, Lycinus, you will do that better than I can, and you will lose no time in telling everybody, so that I shan’t be needed.

But first tell me one thing—was it to celebrate the wedding of his son Zeno that Aristaenetus entertained you ?

LYCINUS No, he was marrying his daughter Cleanthis to the son of Eucritus the banker, the lad who is studying philosophy.

PHILO A very good-looking lad, to be sure; still immature, though, and hardly old enough to be married.

LYCINUS But he could not find anyone who suited him better, I suppose. As this boy seemed to be mannerly and had taken an interest in philosophy,

PHILO You give a very good reason in saying that Eucritus is rich. But come, Lycinus, who were the people at dinner ?