The Carousal, or the Lapiths (25-27)

LYCINUS

But if you think that I am angry over a mere dinner, call to mind the story of Oeneus and you will see that Artemis herself was angry because she was the only one whom he had not asked to the sacrifice when he entertained all the rest-of the gods. Homer puts it something like this: Whether he forgot or would not, greatly was his soul at fault.[*] Euripides says:

This land is Calydon, lying over seas

From Pelops’ isle; a land of fertile plains.

From the lost Meleager of Euripides. [*] And Sophocles:

A boar, a monstrous thing, on Oeneus’ fields

Turned loose Latona’s lass, who kills afar.

From the lost Meleager of Sophocles.

LYCINUS

“I bring to your attention only these few points out of many, so that you may learn what sort of man you have left out in favour of Diphilus, whom you entertain and have put in charge of your son. No

wonder, for he is nice to the boy and is an indulgent tutor. If it were not beneath me to say such things, I might have told you something more, and if you wished you could find out from Zopyrus, the boy’s attendant, that it is true. But it is wrong to. make trouble at a wedding and to defame others, especially with charges sounseemly. Albeit Diphilus deserves it for having won two pupils away from me, I shall hold my tongue in deference to Philosophy herself.

LYCINUS

“I have directed my servant, in case you offer him a portion of boar’s flesh or venison or sesame-cake to bring to me as an excuse for not asking me to dinner, not to take it, for fear it may seem as though I sent him with that in view.”