30. But the ancient poets called parasites flatterers; from whom also Eupolis gave this title to his play, where he represents a chorus of flatterers speaking thus—

But we will tell you now
The mode of life adopted
By the whole flattering band,
And listen ye, and learn
How well-bred we all are.
For first of all a boy,
Another person's slave,
Attends us; and we are
Content with very little.
I have two well-made garments,
And always have one on;
I hie me to the forum,
And when I see a man,
A foolish man but rich,
I make my way to him,
And if he says a word
I praise his wit and laugh,
Delighted at his jests.
And then we go to supper,
My friends and I, pursuing
Each different game so long
As we can save our money.
And then the parasite
Must show his wit and manners,
Or out of doors be turned.
And one there was, Acestor,

[[374]] A branded slave, if I
Am bound to tell the truth,
And he was treated so.
For not one single joke
Did he ope his lips to utter,
And so the slaves expell'd
And pilloried the knave,
And gave him up to Œneus.

31. And Araros, in his Hymenæus, uses the word parasite, where he says—

Why you must be a parasite, my friend;
And 'tis Ischomachus who does support you.

And the word is constantly used among the later writers. And the verb παρασιτέω, to be a parasite, occurs in Plato the comic writer, in his Laches. For he says—

See how these youths do play the parasite.

And Alexis says that there are two kinds of parasites, in his Pilot, where we find this passage—

A.There are two kinds of parasites, Nausinicos:
The one the common one, much jested on
By comic writers, we, the blackfaced men.
N.What is the other kind?
A.Satraps of parasites;
Illustrious leaders of the band; a troop
Whom you may call the venerable parasites;
Men who act well throughout their lives;
Knit their brows gravely, win estates and legacies.
Know'st thou the kind of men, and these their manners?
N.Indeed I do.
A.Each of these men have one
Fix'd method of proceeding, flattery;
And as in life, fortune makes some men great,
And bids the rest content themselves with little;
So some of us do thrive, and some do fail.
Do I not make the matter plain to you?
N.Why if I praise you, you will ask for more.

32. And Timocles, in his Dracontius, hits off the parasite very neatly, and describes his character thus—