<TEI xmlns="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0" xmlns:py="http://codespeak.net/lxml/objectify/pytype" py:pytype="TREE"><text xml:lang="eng"><body><div type="translation" n="urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0062.tlg044.perseus-eng5" xml:lang="eng"><div type="textpart" subtype="section" xml:base="urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0062.tlg044.perseus-eng5:" n="44"><p>
My third case, Mnesippos, shall be the friendship of Makentes, Lonchates, and Arsakomas.
This Arsakomas fell in love with Mazaia, daughter of Leukanor, king of the Bosporians, when he
went as an envoy in the matter of the tribute
which the Bosporians pay us periodically, and
which was then three months overdue. Mazaia
was a tall, beautiful girl, and Arsakomas, seeing
her at dinner, became enamored and fell into a
bad way about her. He had finished the business
of the tribute, and the king had given him his
answer, and was feasting him by way of dismissal. Now it is the custom on the Bosporos for
suitors to propose for girls at dinner, stating the
qualifications which render them desirable parties. On this occasion there happened to be a
great many aspirants at the dinner, kings and
kings' sons, and Tigrapates was there, the monarch of the Lazians, and Adyrmachos, the ruler
of Machlyëne, with many others. Each suitor
is obliged to announce himself and tell why he
has come a-wooing, and then to eat his dinner


<pb n="p.220"/>



quietly, sitting among the others. But when dinner is over he must ask for a wine-glass and pour
out a libation on the table, and propose for the
girl, setting forth his advantages of birth, or
wealth, or influence, in the most favorable light.
</p></div></div></body></text></TEI>