Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/189

 ANTONY. 181 if any tiling was but one minute ill-timed, it was spoiled ; " And," said he, " maybe Antony will sup just now, maybe not this hour, maybe he will call for wine, or begin to talk, and will put it off. So that," he continued, " it is not one, but many suppers must be had in readiness, as it is impossible to guess at his hour." This was Philotas's story ; who related besides, that he afterwards came to be one of the medical attendants of Antony's eldest son by Fulvia, and used to be invited pretty often, among other companions, to his table, when he was not supping with his father. One day another physician had talked loudly, and given great disturbance to the company, whose mouth PhUotas stopped with this sophistical syllo- gism : " In some states of fever the patient should take cold water ; every one who has a fever is in some state of fever ; therefore in a fever cold water should always be taken." The man was quite struck dumb, and An- tony's son, very much pleased, laughed aloud, and said, " Philotas, I make you a present of all you see there," pointing to a sideboard covered with plate. Philotas thanked him much, but was far enough from ever imagin- ing that a boy of his age could dispose of things of that value. Soon after, however, the plate was all brought to him, and he was desired to set his mark upon it ; and when he put it away from him, and was afraid to accept the present, " What ails the man ? " said he that brought it ; " do you know that he w^ho gives you this is Antony's son, who is free to give it, if it were all gold ? but if you will be advised by me, I would counsel you to accept of the value in money from us ; for there may be amongst the rest some antique or famous piece of workmanship, which Antony would be sorry to part with." These anec- dotes my grandfather told us Philotas used frequently to relate. To return to Cleopatra ; Plato admits four sorts of flat-