Ere comes our meal, my way I feel, My patron's mind I study: And as each knows, we choose all those Whose brains are rather muddy. We understand our host's command, To make the table merry; By witty jokes, satiric pokes, To aid the juicy berry. If we're not able, straight from the table We're sent, elsewhere to dine; You know poor Acastor incurr'd this disaster, By being too free o'er his wine. A dreadful joke scarce from him broke, When for the slave each roars, To come and fetch th' unhappy wretch, And turn him out of doors. On him was put, like any brute, Round his throat an iron necklace; And he was handed, to be branded, To Œneus rough and reckless.—L. S. * * * * * ALEXIS. (Book vi. § 31, p. 374.) _A._ There are two sorts of parasites; the one Of middle station, like ourselves, who are Much noticed by the comic poets—— _B._ Ay, But then the other sort, say, what of them? _A._ They are of higher rank, and proud pretensions, Provincial governors, who claim respect By sober and grave conduct; and though sprung From th' very dregs o' th' people, keep aloof, Affect authority and state and rule, And pride themselves on manners more severe Than others, on whose beetling brow there sits An awful frown, as if they would command At least a thousand talents—all their boast! These Nausinicus, you have seen, and judge My meaning rightly. _B._ I confess I do. _A._ Yet they all move about one common centre; Their occupations and their ends the same, The sole contention, which shall flatter most. But, as in human life, some are depress'd, Whilst others stand erect on Fortune's wheel, So fares it with these men; while some are raised To splendid affluence, and wallow in Luxurious indolence, their fellows starve, Or live on scraps, and beg a scanty pittance, To save their wretched lives.—ANON. * * * * * TIMOCLES. (Book vi. § 32, p. 374.)