Stand each one in your place, and listen to me,
Before I write my name, and take my cloak.
If any question should arise to day
About those men who live as parasites,
I have at all times much esteem'd their art,
And from my childhood have inclined to learn it.

38. And among the parasites these men are commemorated by name: Tithymallus, who is mentioned by Alexis in his Milesian Woman, and in his Ulysses the Weaver. And in his Olynthians he says—

This is your poor man, O my darling woman;
This is the only class, as men do say,
Who can put death to flight. Accordingly
This Tithymallus does immortal live.

And Dromon in his Psaltria says—

A.I was above all things ashamed when I
Found that I was again to have a supper
For which I was to give no contribution.
B.A shameful thing, indeed. Still you may see
Our Tithymallus on his way, more red
Than saffron or vermilion; and he blushes,
As you may guess, because he nothing pays.

And Timocles, in his Centaur or Dexamenus, says—

Calling him Tithymallus, parasite.

And in his Caunians he says—

A.Will any other thing appear? Be quick,
For Tithymallus has return'd to life,
[[379]] Who was quite dead, now that he well has boil'd
Eightpennyworth of lupin seed.
B.For he
Could not persist in starving himself, but only
In drinking wine at other men's expense.

And in his Epistles he says—