ed from lips of free men
absolutely free. But, look you, here is a point: you will find it hard
to persuade another, that you despots, within the limits of those things
whereby we one and all sustain our bodies, in respect, that is, of meats
and drinks, have not a far wider range of pleasures.

Yes, Simonides (he answered), and what is more, I know the explanation
of the common verdict. The majority have come to the conclusion that we
monarchs eat and drink with greater pleasure than do ordinary people,
because they have got the notion, they themselves would make a better
dinner off the viands served at our tables than their own. And doubtless
some break in the monotony gives a fillip of pleasure. And that explains
why folk in general look forward with pleasure to high days and holy
days--mankind at large, but not the despot; his well-stocked table
groaning from day to day under its weight of viands admits of no state
occasions. So that, as far as this particular pleasure, to begin with,
goes, the pleasure of anticipation, the monarch is at disadvantage
compared with private people.

And in the next place (he continued), I am sure your own experience will
bear me out so far: the more viands set before a man at table (beyond
what are sufficient), (25) the more quickly will satiety of eating
overtake him. So that in actual duration of the pleasure, he with his
many dishes has less to boast of than the moderate liver.

(25) {ta peritta ton ikanon}. These words Hartm. op. cit. p. 254,
regards as an excrescence.

Yes, but good gracious! surely (broke in Simonides), during the actual
time, (26) before the appetite is cloyed, the gastronomic pleasure
derived from the costlier bill of fare far exceeds that of the cheaper
dinner-table.

(26) Lit. "so long as the soul (i.e. the appetite) accepts with
pleasure the viands"; i.e. there's an interval, at any rate,
during which "such as my soul delights in" can still apply and for
so long.

But, as a matter of plain logic (Hiero retorted), should you not
say, the greater the pleasure a man feels in any business, the more
enthusiastic his devotion to it?

That is quite true (he answered).

Hiero. Then have you ever noticed that crowned heads display more
pleasure in attacking the bill of fare provided them, than private
persons theirs?

No, rather the reverse (the poet answered); if anything, they show a
less degree of gusto, (27) unless they are vastly li