[66]
Rubrius invites Verres's companions; Verres informs them all what there was to be
done. They come early. They sit down to supper. Conversation takes place among them,
and an invitation is given to drink in the Greek fashion. The host encourages them;
they demand wine in larger goblets; the banquet proceeds with the conversation and
joy of every one. When the business appeared to Rubrius to have got warm enough,
“I would know of you, O Philodamus,” says he, “why you
do not bid your daughter to be invited in hither to us?” The man, who was
both a most dignified man, and of mature age, and a parent, was amazed at the speech
of the rascal. Rubrius began to urge it. Then he, in order to give some answer, said
that it was not the custom of the Greeks for women to sit down at the banquets of
men. On this some one else from some other part of the room cried out,
“But this is not to be borne; let the women be summoned.” And
immediately Rubrius orders his slaves to shut the door, and to stand at the doors
themselves.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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