CHAPTER THE NINETY-THIRD.

CHAPTER THE NINETY-THIRD.

(“To their perverted taste,” he went on,) everything one may have lawfully is held cheap and the appetite, tickled only by forbidden indulgences, delights in what is most difficult to obtain.

 The pheasant from Colchis, the wild-fowl from African shores,

 Because they are dainties, the parvenu’s palate adores

 The white-feathered goose, and the duck in his bright-colored plumes

 Must nourish the rabble; they’re common, so them Fashion dooms!

 The wrasse brought from dangerous Syrtis is much more esteemed

 When fishing-boats founder!  And even the mullet is deemed,

 No matter how heavy, a weight on the market!  The whore

 Displaces the wife; and in perfumes, the cinnamon more

 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.