Is esteemed than the rose! So whatever we have, we despise,

And whatever we have not, we think a superlative prize!"

"Is this the way in which you keep your promise not to recite a single
verse today?" I demanded; "bear in mind your promise and spare us, at
least, for we have thrown no rocks at you yet. If a single one of those
fellows drinking under this very roof were to smell out a poet in their
midst, he would arouse the whole neighborhood and involve all of us in
the same misunderstanding!" Giton, who was one of the gentlest of lads,
took me to task for having spoken in that manner, denying that I did
rightly in criticising my elders and at the same time forgetting my
duties as host by offering an affront to one whom I had invited out of
kindness. And much more, full of moderation and propriety, which was in
exquisite keeping with his good looks.




CHAPTER THE NINETY-FOURTH.

"Happy the mother," cried Eumolpus, "who bore such a son as you! May
your fortune be in keeping with your merit! Beauty and wisdom are rarely
found mixed! And that you may not think that all your words are wasted,
know that you have found a lover! I will fill my verses with your
praise! I will act as your guardian and your tutor, following you even
when you bid me stay behind! Nor can Encolpius take offense, he loves
another." The soldier who took my sword from me did Eumolpus a good
turn, too; otherwise, the rage which I had felt against Ascyltos would