Page:The Deipnosophists (Volume 3).djvu/337

 The same.

Wee have in Corinth this good Law in use; If wee see any person keepe great cheere, We make inquirie, Whether he doe worke, Or if he have Revenues coming in? If either, then we say no more of him. But if the Charge exceed his Gaine or Rents, He is forbidden to run on his course: If he continue it, he pays a fine: If he want wherewithal, he is at last Taken by Sergeants and in prison cast. For to spend much, and never to get ought, Is cause of much disorder in the world. One in the night-time filcheth from the flocks; Another breaks a house or else a shop; A third man gets a share his mouth to stop. To beare a part in this good fellowship, One feignes a suit his neighbor to molest, Another must false witness beare with him: But such a crue we utterly detest, And banish from our citie like the pest.—

The same.

Believe me, my good friend, such is the law Long held at Corinth; when we see a man Spending large sums upon the daintiest fish, And living at a great expense, we ask The means by which he can maintain the splendour. If it appears that his possessions yield A fund proportion'd to this costly charge, 'Tis well, he's not molested, and proceeds T' enjoy that kind of life which he approves. But if we find that he exceeds his means, We first admonish him; if he persists, We then proceed to punishment by fine. If one who has no fortune to supply E'en common wants, lives thus expensively, Him we deliver to the common beadle For corporal punishment.—