As you will freely own, by what succeeds.
Our city, which was ever used to pay
Both worship and respect to Hercules,
When sacrifices were to be prepared,
Chose certain parasites t' officiate,
In honour of the god, but did not make
This choice by lot, nor take the first that offer'd,
But from the higher ranks, and most esteem'd
Of all the citizens, they fix'd on twelve,
Of life and manners irreproachable,