Sim. And that is clearly right, for spice renders the sourest things sweet.
Crit. What is the spice of the whole of life?
Dem. An equable mind.
Crit. I can name something else, which is of larger scope and more august.
Dem. What can be more important than what I have named?
Crit. Pietas, under which equanimity is included. Moreover, “piety” is the most suitable and pleasant sauce for all things hard and easy, and those things which lie between these extremes.
Scop. Pour white Spanish wine in that beaker and bear it round to the guests.
Dem. What are you preparing to do? When dinner is finished, bring us some strong and generous wine. We can afterwards drink something more diluted, if we wish to take care of our health.
Sim. Thy counsel seems to me good, for it behoves us to have colder food at the end of a meal, which by its weight may thrust down the other food to the bottom of the stomach, and may restrain the vapours from escaping to the head.