And when one of the Cynics used the word τρίπους, meaning a table, Ulpian got indignant and said, "To-day I seem to have trouble coming on me arising out of my actual want of business; for what does this fellow mean by his tripod, unless indeed he counts Diogenes' stick and his two feet, and so makes him out to be a tripod? At all events every one else calls the thing which is set before us τράπεζα." Hesiod, in his poem on the marriage of Ceyx, (although indeed the sons of the Grammarians deny that that poem is his work, but I myself think that it is an ancient piece,) does call tables τρίποδες. And Xenophon, a most accomplished writer, in the second book of the Anabasis, writes--"Τρίποδες were brought in for every one, to the number of about twenty, loaded with ready carved meats." And he goes on, "And these τράπεζαι were placed for the most part where the strangers sat." Antiphanes says-- The τρίπους was removed, we wash'd our hands. Eubulus says-- _A._ Here are five τρίποδες for you; here five more. _B._ Why I shall be quinquagenarian. Epicharmus says-- _A._ And what is this? _B._ A τρίπους. _A._ How is that? Has it not _four_ feet? 'tis a τετράπους. _B._ It may be strictly; but its name is τριπους. _A._ Still I can see four feet. _B._ At all events You are no Œdipus, to be so puzzled. And Aristophanes says-- _A._ Bring me one τράπεζα more, With three feet, not one with four. _B._ Where can I a τρίπους τράπεζα find? 33. It was a custom at feasts, that a guest when he had lain down should have a paper given to him, containing a bill of fare of what there was for dinner, so that he might know what the cook was going to serve up. We find a fruit called Damascenes. Now many of the ancient writers mention Damascus, a city of great reputation and importance; and as there is a great quantity of plum-trees in the territory of the Damascenes, and as they are cultivated there with exceeding care, the tree itself has got to be called a Damascene, as being a kind of plum different from what is found in other countries. The fruit is more like prunes. And many writers speak of them, and Hipponax says-- I have a garland of damascenes and mint. And Alexis says-- _A._ And in my sleep I thought I saw a prize. _B._ What was it? _A._ Listen--There came up to me, While still within th' arena's spacious bounds, One of my rivals, bringing me a crown-- A ripe revolving crown of damascenes. _B._ Oh Hercules! and were the damascenes ripe? And again he says-- Did you e'er see a sausage toasted, Or dish of tripe well stuff'd and roasted? Or damascenes stew'd in rich confection?-- Such was that gentleman's complexion. Nicander says--