For those men are properly called ἐπισίτιοι who do any service for their keep. Plato says, in the fourth book of his treatise on Politics, "And the ἐπισίτιοι do these things, who do not, as others do, receive any wages in addition to their food." And Aristophanes says, in his Storks—

For if you prosecute one wicked man,
Twelve ἐπισίτιοι will come against you,
And so defeat you by their evidence.

And Eubulus says, in his Dædalus—

He wishes to remain an ἐπισίτιος
Among them, and will never ask for wages.

51. And Diphilus, in his Synoris (and Synoris is the name of a courtesan), mentioning Euripides (and Euripides is the name given to a particular throw on the dice), and punning on the name of the poet, says this at the same time about parasites:—

A.You have escaped well from such a throw.
S.You are right witty.
A.Well, lay down your drachma.
S.That has been done: how shall I throw Euripides?
A.Euripides will never save a woman.
See you not how he hates them in his tragedies?
But he has always fancied parasites,
And thus he speaks, you'll easily find the place:
"For every rich man who does not feed
At least three men who give no contribution,
Exile deserves and everlasting ruin."
S.Where is that passage?
A.What is that to you?
'Tis not the play, but the intent that signifies.

And in the amended edition of the same play, speaking of a parasite in a passion, he says—

Is then the parasite angry? is he furious?
Not he; he only smears with gall the table,
And weans himself like any child from milk.

And immediately afterwards he adds—

A.Then you may eat, O parasite.
B.Just see
[[389]] How he disparages that useful skill.
A.Well, know you not that all men rank a parasite
Below a harp-player?