Page:The Deipnosophists (Volume 3).djvu/348

 

(Book vi. § 71, p. 404.)

A. You say you've pass'd much of your time in Cyprus.

B. All; for the war prevented my departure.

A. In what place chiefly, may I ask?

B.                                  In Paphos; Where I saw elegance in such perfection, As almost mocks belief.

A.                   Of what kind, pray you?

B. Take this for one—The monarch, when he sups, Is fann'd by living doves.

A.                      You make me curious How this is to be done; all other questions I will put by to be resolved in this.

B. There is a juice drawn from a Syrian tree, To which your dove instinctively is wedded With a most loving appetite; with this The king anoints his temples, and the odour No sooner captivates the silly birds, Than straight they flutter round him, nay, would fly A bolder pitch, so strong a love-charm draws them, And perch, O horror! on his sacred crown, If that such profanation were permitted Of the by-standers, who, with reverend care, Fright them away, till thus, retreating now, And now advancing, they keep such a coil With their broad vans, and beat the lazy air Into so quick a stir, that in the conflict His royal lungs are comfortably cool'd, And thus he sups as Paphian monarchs should.—

(Book vi. § 72, p. 405.)

I sigh'd for ease, and, weary of my lot, Wish'd to exchange it: in this mood I stroll'd Up to the citadel three several days; And there I found a bevy of preceptors For my new system, thirty in a group; All with one voice prepared to tutor me— Eat, drink, and revel in the joys of love! For pleasure is the wise man's sovereign good.—