But for me it would be much better to sup as the men are represented as supping in the banquet given by Parmeniscus the Cynic, than to come hither and see everything carried round us as if we all had fevers. And when we laughed at this, one of us said,--But my most excellent fellow, do not grudge giving us the account of that Parmeniscean banquet. And he, raising himself up, said-- I swear to you most solemnly, my friends, according to the words of the sweet Antiphanes, who, in the Woman given in Marriage, said-- I swear to you, O men, by the god himself, From whom the joys of drunkenness and wine Do come to mortal men, that I prefer This happy life which here is mine at present, To all the splendid pomp of king Seleucus. 'Tis sweet to eat e'en lentils without fear, But sad to sleep on down in daily terror. 45. But Parmeniscus began in this manner--"Parmeniscus to Molpis, greeting,--As I have often in my conversations with you talked about illustrious invitations and entertainments, I am afraid lest you should labour under such a plethora as to blame me; on which account I wish to make you a partaker in the feast which was given by Cebes of Cyzicus. Therefore, having first taken a drink of hyssop, come at the proper hour to the feast. For at the time when the festival of Bacchus was being celebrated at Athens, I went to sup with him; and I found six Cynics sitting at table, and one dog-leader, Carneus the Megarian. But, as the supper was delayed, a discussion arose, what water is the sweetest. And while some were praising the water of Lerna, and some that of Pirene, Carneus, imitating Philoxenus, said--That is the best water which is poured over our hands. So then when the tables were laid we went to supper, And much pulse porridge then we ate, but more did still flow in. Then again lentils were brought on the table steeped in vinegar; and that child of Jupiter laid his hands on them and said-- Jove, may the man who made these lentils grow, Never escape thy notice or thy memory. And then some one else immediately cried out-- May a lentil deity and a lentil fate seize you. But to me may there be, according to the words of the comic poet Diphilus, which he uses in his Peliades-- _A._ A flowery supper very sumptuous, A bowl quite full of pulse for every man. _B._ That first part is not flowery. _A._ After that Let a saperdes dance into the middle, A little strong to smell. _B._ That is a flower Which soon will drive the thrushes all away.