And among the parasites these men are commemorated by name: Tithymallus, who is mentioned by Alexis in his Milesian Woman, and in his Ulysses the Weaver. And in his Olynthians he says—
This is your poor man, O my darling woman;And Dromon in his P???altria says—
This is the only class, as men do say,
Who can put death to flight. Accordingly
This Tithymallus does immortal live.
A. I was above all things ashamed when IAnd Timocles, in his Centaur or Dexamenus, says—
Found that I was again to have a supper
For which I was to give no contribution.
B. A shameful thing, indeed. Still you may see
Our Tithymallus on his way, more red
Than saffron or vermilion; and he blushes,
As you may guess, because he nothing pays.
Calling, him Tithymallus, parasite.And in his Caunians he says—
A. Will any other thing appear? Be quick,And in his Epistles he says—
For Tithymallus has return'd to life,
[p. 379] Who was quite dead, now that he well has boil'd
Eightpennyworth of lupin seed.
B. For he
Could not persist in starving himself, but only
In drinking wine at other men's expense.
Alas me, how I am in love! ye gods!And Antiphanes says in his Etrurian—
Not Tithymallus did so long to eat,
Nor Cormus ever to steal another's cloak,
Nor Nilus to eat cakes, nor Corydus
To exercise his teeth at other's cost.
A. For he will not assist his friends for nothing.
B. You say that Tithymallus will be rich,
For as I understand you, he will get
Sufficient pay, and a collection suitable
From those within whose doors he freely sups.