Book 6
72
And a man will not be much out who calls the life of that young Cyprian a wet one. And Alexis says that there were many tutors and teachers of that kind of life at Athens, speaking thus in his Pyraunus— I wish'd to try another style of life, Which all men are accustom'd to call wet. So walking three days in the Ceramicus, I found it may be thirty skilful teachers Of the aforesaid life, from one single school. And Crobylus says in his Female Deserter— The wetness of your life amazes me, For men do call intemperance now wetness.
73
And Antiphanes, in his Lemnian Women, lays it down that flattery is a kind of art, where he says— Is there, or can there be an art more pleasing, Or any source of gain more sure and gainful Than well-judged flattery? Why does the painter Take so much pains and get so out of temper? Why does the farmer undergo such risks? Indeed all men are full of care and trouble. But life for us is full of fun and laughter. For where the greatest business is amusement, To laugh and joke and drink full cups of wine, Is not that pleasant't How can one deny? 'Tis the next thing to being rich oneself.
