A deep ravine runs through (βαθὺς αὐλών), instead of βαθεῖα, just as we find θῆλυς ἐέρση, where θῆλυς is feminine. Everything of that kind then is called αὐλὴ or αὐλών; but at the present day they call palaces αὐλαὶ, as Menander does-- To haunt palaces (αὐλαὶ) and princes. And Diphilus says-- To haunt palaces (αὐλαὶ) is, it seems to me, The conduct of an exile, slave, or beggar. And they got this name from having large spaces in front of their buildings exposed to the open air, or else, because the guards of the palace were stationed, and took their rest in the open air. But Homer always classes the αὐλὴ among the places exposed to the air, where the altar of Jupiter Herceus stood. And so Peleus is found-- I and Ulysses touch'd at Peleus' port; There, in the centre of his grassy court, A bull to Jove he slew in sacrifice, And pour'd libations on the flaming thighs.[302:1] And so Priam lay:-- In the court-yard amid the dirt he roll'd.[302:2] And Ulysses says to Phemius-- Thou with the heav'n-taught bard in peace resort, From blood and carnage, to yon open court.[302:3] But that Telemachus was praising not only the house, but also the riches which it contained, is made plain by the reply of Menelaus-- My wars, the copious theme of ev'ry tongue, To you your fathers have recorded long; How favouring Heav'n repaid my glorious toils With a sack'd palace and barbaric spoils.[303:1] 16. But we must return back to the banquet, in which Homer very ingeniously devises a subject for conversation, by comparing the acquisition of riches with that of a friend. For he does not put it forward as a grave proposition for discussion, but Menelaus inserts it in his conversation very gracefully, after he has heard them praise himself and his good fortune; not denying that he is rich, but from that very circumstance deprecating envy, for he says that he has acquired those riches so that, When my woes are weigh'd, Envy will own the purchase dearly paid.[303:2] He does not indeed think it right to compare himself with the gods-- The monarch took the word, and grave replied-- Presumptuous are the vaunts, and vain the pride Of man who dares in pomp with Jove contest, Unchanged, immortal, and supremely blest. But then, after displaying his affectionate disposition as a brother, and saying that he is compelled to live and to be rich, he opposes to this the consideration of friendship-- Oh, had the gods so large a boon denied, And life, the just equivalent, supplied To those brave warriors who, with glory fired, Far from their country in my cause expired.