And Athenæus dramatises his dialogue in imitation of the manner of Plato. And thus he begins:— TIMOCRATES. ATHENAEUS. Tim. Were you, Athenæus, yourself present at that delightful party of the men whom they now call Deipnosophists; which has been so much talked of all over the city; or is it only from having heard an account of it from others that you spoke of it to your companions? Ath. I was there myself, Timocrates. Tim. I wish, then, that you would communicate to us also some of that agreeable conversation which you had over your cups;
Make your hand perfect by a third attempt,as the bard of Cyrene1 says somewhere or other; or must week some one else?