[[78]] 29. After this we rose up and sat down again as each of us pleased, not waiting for a nomenclator to arrange us in order.

Now that rooms were fitted up with couches for three, and with couches for four, and for seven, and for nine, and for other successive numbers, in the time of the ancients, we may prove from Antiphanes, who says—

I bring you, since you are but three,
To a room with equal couches.

And Phrynichus says—

One room had seven couches fine,
While another boasted nine.

And Eubulus says—

A.Place now a couch for seven.
B.Here it is.
A.And five Sicilian couches.
B.Well, what next
A.And five Sicilian pillows.

And Amphis says—

Will you not place a couch for three?

Anaxandrides—