PHILOCLEON. Ah! my most daring deed was when, quite a young man still, I prosecuted Phayllus, the runner, for defamation, and he was condemned by a majority of two votes. BDELYCLEON. Enough of that! Now recline there, and practise the bearing that is fitting at table in society. PHILOCLEON. How must I recline? Tell me quick! BDELYCLEON. In an elegant style. PHILOCLEON. Like this? BDELYCLEON. Not at all. PHILOCLEON. How then? BDELYCLEON. Spread your knees on the tapestries and give your body the most easy curves, like those taught in the gymnasium. Then praise some bronze vase, survey the ceiling, admire the awning stretched over the court. Water is poured over our hands; the tables are spread; we sup and, after ablution, we now offer libations to the gods. PHILOCLEON. But, by Zeus! this supper is but a dream, it appears! BDELYCLEON. The flute-player has finished the prelude. The guests are Theorus, Aeschines, Phanus, Cleon, Acestor;[140] and beside this last, I don't know who else. You are with them. Shall you know exactly how to take up the songs that are started? PHILOCLEON. Better than any born mountaineer of Attica. BDELYCLEON. That we shall see. Suppose me to be Cleon. I am the first to begin the song of Harmodius, and you take it up: "There never was yet seen in Athens ... PHILOCLEON. ... such a rogue or such a thief."[141] BDELYCLEON. Why, you wretched man, 'twill be the end of you if you sing that. He will vow your ruin, your destruction, to chase you out of the country. PHILOCLEON. Well! then I shall answer his threats with another song: "With your madness for supreme power, you will end by overthrowing the city, which even now totters towards ruin." BDELYCLEON. And when Theorus, prone at Cleon's feet, takes his hand and sings, "Like Admetus, love those who are brave,"[142] what reply will you make him? PHILOCLEON. I shall sing, "I know not how to play the fox, nor call myself the friend of both parties." BDELYCLEON. Then comes the turn of Aeschines, the son of Sellus, and a well-trained and clever musician, who will sing, "Good things and riches for Clitagoras and me and eke for the Thessalians!" PHILOCLEON. "The two of us have squandered a deal between us." BDELYCLEON. At this game you seem at home. But come, we will go and dine with Philoctemon.--Slave! slave! place our dinner in a basket, and let us go for a good long drinking bout. PHILOCLEON. By no means, it is too dangerous; for after drinking, one breaks in doors, one comes to blows, one batters everything. Anon, when the wine is slept off, one is forced to pay. BDELYCLEON. Not if you are with decent people. Either they undertake to appease the offended person or, better still, you say something witty, you tell some comic story, perhaps one of those you have yourself heard at table, either in Aesop's style or in that of Sybaris; all laugh and the trouble is ended.