And Nicostratus says, in his Abra—

The first, a mighty dish shall lead the way,
Holding an urchin, and some sauce and capers,
A cheesecake, fish, and onions in rich stuffing.

11. And that they used to eat, for the sake of encouraging the appetite, rape dressed with vinegar and mustard, is plainly stated by Nicander, in the second book of his Georgics, where he says—

The rape is a mix'd breed from radishes;
It's grown in garden beds, both long and stiff;
One sort they wash and dry in the north wind,
A friend to winter and to idle servants:
Then it revives when soak'd in water warm.
Cut thou the roots of rape, and gently scrape

[[219]] The not yet juiceless rind in shavings thin;
Then dry them in the sun a little while,
Then dip them in hot water, and in brine,
And pack them closely; or at other times
Pour in new wine and vinegar, half and half,
Into one vessel, and put salt on the top.
And often 'twill be well to pound fresh raisins,
And add them gently, scattering in some seeds
Of biting mustard; and some dregs of vinegar,
To reach the head and touch the vigorous brain:
A goodly dish for those who want a dinner.

And Diphilus or Sosippus, in the Female Deserter, says—

Have you now any sharp fresh vinegar?
I think, too, we've some fig-tree juice, my boy.
In these I'll press the meat as tight as may be;
And some dried herbs I'll spread around the dish;
For of all condiments these do most surely
The body's sensitive parts and nerves excite.
They drive away unpleasant heaviness,
And make the guests sit down with appetite.

12. And Alexis, in his Tarentines, when speaking of their banquets, says that the Athenians used to dance at their drinking parties—

A.For this now is a common native practice.
At the divine and all-accomplish'd Athens.
They all rise up and dance together when
The first sweet scent of wine doth reach their nostrils.
B.You tell me of a strange and novel custom.
A.So you would say, indeed, if unexpected
You on a sudden dropp'd in at a feast;
And beardless boys are sure to meet with favour;
But when I see that rogue Theodotus,
Or some impure and cheating parasite,
Affecting nice and delicate airs, such loathing
Does seize me, that I'd gladly seize the man,
And nail him to the vilest cross.

And Antiphanes, in his Carians, with reference to the Attic fashion of dancing, turns one of the sophists into ridicule, as dancing at a banquet, in the following verses—