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According to the Grecian custom an arbiter bibendi must be chosen, a guest of honor who should propose the toasts, announce the moment for drinking, and direct the conversation. "Let us choose Euphobias," said Alorcus, with the grave humor of a Celtiberian. "No!" protested Sónnica. "One night we put him in charge of the banquet for a joke, and we were all drunk before the third course.
On the walls the bowmen drew their bows, and the boys piled up stones to hurl with their slings. The old men compelled the women to retire. At the head of the stairway leading up to the top of the wall, Euphobias the philosopher stood haranguing in the midst of a group, paying no heed to the indignation of his hearers. "Blood is going to flow," he shouted; "you will all perish, and for what?
The lamps were still burning in the triclinium, and an insufferable vapor of viands, wines, and sweaty bodies floated through the doorway. He saw the guests lying on the floor among the snoring women. Euphobias had awakened from his drunken sleep, and, occupying the place of honor, Sónnica's couch, was forging for himself the illusion of being master of the villa.
There was also served oxygarum made in the fisheries of New Carthage a paste of tunny milt, loaded with salt and vinegar, which excited the palate, stimulating one to drink wine. The aroma from these dishes floated through the festal hall. "Talk not to me about the nest of the phœnix!" said Euphobias with his mouth full.
And she will laugh as usual, while you will be eating swill in your houses and thinking of her banquet!" "Ingrate! Parasite!" exclaimed the man, turning his back contemptuously. "Gratitude is the condition of the dog. Man shows his superiority by speaking ill of those who favor him. If you do not wish Euphobias the philosopher to be a parasite, maintain him in exchange for his wisdom."
Vile smelling people of savage aspect, possessed by the delirium of starvation, dragged themselves cautiously through the streets armed with clubs, stones, and missiles. They went foraging as soon as night fell. Euphobias guided them, giving counsel with majestic emphasis, as if he were a great captain commanding his army.
Slave of poverty!" they shouted. "You are worse than those lupas who throw themselves at the barbarians." Euphobias, whose insolence increased as the indignation blazed higher, opened his mouth to reply; but he hesitated, beholding a dark mass which shut out the sunlight.
Actæon recognized Euphobias the philosopher in the crowd, his garments more ragged than ever, almost naked, but with an appearance of relative vigor which contrasted strangely with the starving appearance of the majority. Lachares and the elegant young friends of Sónnica bowed to him from a distance with a distraught expression.
He eats daily; but he should be crucified in the middle of the Forum as a warning. He has been seen at night wandering near the walls with a band of slaves in search of dying men." The Greek turned from the parasite with disgust. "Do not believe it, Actæon," said Euphobias. "Now they envy me my beggar's parsimony, as in other times they jeered at it.
Paying no heed to the mocking retorts of the young gallants he added with a servile smile: "I trust you will not forget your old friend Euphobias. Now you can set him up to all the wine he wishes in the taverns of the Forum." The philosopher took the couch at the farther end of the table, and he refused the crown offered him by the slave. "I have not come for flowers; I have come to eat.
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