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,And Phrynichus says—
To a room with equal couches.
One room had seven couches fine,And Eubulus says—
While another boasted nine.
A. Place now a couch for seven.And Amphis says—
B. Here it is.
A. And five Sicilian couches.
B. Well, what next
A. And five Sicilian pillows.
Will you not place a couch for three?Anaxandrides—
A couch was spread,
And songs to please the aged man.
Open the supper rooms, and sweep the house,
And spread the couches fair, and light the fire;
Bring forth the cups, and fill with generous wine.