But concerning courtesans, Ephippus, in his Merchandise, speaks as follows:—
And then if, when we enter through their doors,And Eubulus, in his Campylion, introducing a courtesan of modest deportment, says—
They see that we are out of sorts at all,
They flatter us and soothe us, kiss us gently,
Not pressing hard as though our lips were enemies,
But with soft open kisses like a sparrow;
They sing, and comfort us, and make us cheerful,
And straightway banish all our care and grief,
And make our faces bright again with smiles.
How modestly she sat the while at supper!And Antiphanes says in his Hydra—
Not like the rest, who make great balls of leeks,
And stuff their cheeks with them, and loudly crunch
Within their jaws large lumps of greasy meat;
But delicately tasting of each dish,
In mouthfuls small, like a Milesian maiden.
But he, the man of whom I now was speaking,And Anaxilas, in his Neottis, says—
Seeing a woman who lived near his house,
A courtesan, did fall at once in love with her;
She was a citizen, without a guardian
Or any near relations, and her manners
Pure, and on virtue's strictest model form'd,
A genuine mistress (ἑταῖρα); for the rest of the crew
Bring into disrepute, by their vile manners,
A name which in itself has nothing wrong.
A. But if a woman does at all times use
Fair, moderate language, giving her services
Favourable to all who stand in need of her,
She from her prompt companionship (ἑταιρίας) does earn
The title of companion (ἑταῖρα); and you,
As you say rightly, have not fall'n in love
[p. 915] With a vile harlot (πόρνη), but with a companion (ἑταῖρα).
Is she not one of pure and simple manners
B. At all events, by Jove, she 's beautiful.
