7 Narcissus.
The guests applauded loudly: when the poet is your host, his verses are sure to charm.
"Thoroughly Greek," said Lepidus: "the wildness, force, and energy of that tongue it is impossible to imitate in the Roman poetry."
"It is indeed a great contrast," said Clodius, ironically at heart, though not in appearance, "to the old-fashioned and tame simplicity of that ode of Horace which we heard before. The air is beautifully Ionic: the word puts me in mind of a toast—Companions, I give you the beautiful Ione."
"Ione—the name is Greek," said Glaucus, in a soft voice, "I drink the health with delight. But who is Ione?"
"Ah! you have but just come to Pompeii, or you would deserve ostracism for your ignorance," said Lepidus, conceitedly; "not to know Ione is not to know the chief charm of our city."
"She is of most rare beauty," said Pansa; "and what a voice!"
"She can feed only on nightingales' tongues," said Clodius.
"Nightingales' tongues!—beautiful thought," sighed the umbra.
"Enlighten me, I beseech you," said Glaucus.