Alas me, how I am in love! ye gods!
Not Tithymallus did so long to eat,
Nor Cormus ever to steal another's cloak,
Nor Nilus to eat cakes, nor Corydus
To exercise his teeth at other's cost.
And Antiphanes says in his Etrurian—
| A. | For he will not assist his friends for nothing. |
| B. | You say that Tithymallus will be rich, For as I understand you, he will get Sufficient pay, and a collection suitable From those within whose doors he freely sups. |
39. Corydus also was one of the most notorious parasites. And he is mentioned by Timocles, in his The Man who Rejoices at Misfortunes of others, thus—
To see a well-stock'd market is a treat
To a rich man, but torture to a poor one.
Accordingly once Corydus, when he
Had got no invitation for the day,
Went to buy something, to take home with him.
And who can cease to laugh at what befel him?—
The man had only fourpence in his purse;
Gazing on tunnies, eels, crabs, rays, anchovies,
He bit his lips till the blood came in vain;
Then going round, "How much is this?" said he—
Then frighten'd at the price, he bought red herrings.
And Alexis, in Demetrius or Philetærus, says—
I fear to look at Corydus in the face,
Seeming so glad to dine with any one;
But I will not deny it; he's the same,
And never yet refused an invitation.
And in his Nurse he says—
This Corydus who has so often practised
His jokes and witticisms, wishes now
To be Blepæus, and he's not far wrong,
For mighty are the riches of Blepæus.
And Cratinus the younger in his Titans says—