Περὶ τῶν ἐν Μισθῷ συνόντων

Sections

1 – 1 2 – 2 3 – 3 3 – 3 4 – 4 4 – 4 5 – 5 6 – 6 7 – 7 8 – 8 9 – 9 10 – 10 11 – 11 12 – 13 13 – 13 14 – 14 15 – 15 16 – 16 17 – 17 18 – 18 19 – 19 20 – 20 21 – 22 23 – 23 24 – 24 25 – 25 25 – 26 26 – 26 27 – 27 28 – 29 30 – 30 31 – 32 33 – 33 34 – 34 35 – 35 36 – 37 38 – 38 39 – 39 40 – 40 41 – 42 42 – 42 42 – 42

İngilizce İngilizce Yunanca

28 Nay, more. Should some slave whisper that you alone withheld your praise, when his mistress’s favourite danced or played, the neglect may cost you dear. Then let your dry throat be as busy as any thirsty frog’s. See to it, that your voice is heard leading the chorus of applause; and time after time, when all else are silent, throw in some studied servile compliment. The situation is not without humour. Hungry as you are, ay, and thirsty into the bargain, you must anoint yourself with oil of gladness, and crown your head with garlands. It reminds one of the offerings made by recent mourners ata tomb. The tomb gets the ointment and the garlands, while the mourners drink and enjoy the feast.

29 If your patron is of a jealous disposition, and has a young wife or handsome children, and you are not wholly without personal attractions, then beware! you are on dangerous ground. Many are the ears of a king, and many the eyes, that see not the truth only, but ever something over and above the truth, lest they should seem to fail of their office. Imagine yourself, therefore, at a Persian banquet. Keep your eyes downwards, lest a eunuch should catch them resting on one of the concubines. For see, there stands another with his bow ever on the stretch: c2 one glance at the forbidden object as you raise your cup, and his arrow is through your jaw before you can put it down.