e names of some more elegant pieces;
[3511]Leontia, Boedina, Hedieia, Nicedia, that were frequently seen in
Epicurus' garden, and very familiar in his house. Neither did he try it
himself alone, but if we may give credit to [3512]Atheneus, he practised it
upon others. For when a sad and sick patient was brought unto him to be
cured, "he laid him on a down bed, crowned him with a garland of
sweet-smelling flowers, in a fair perfumed closet delicately set out, and
after a portion or two of good drink, which he administered, he brought in
a beautiful young [3513]wench that could play upon a lute, sing, and
dance," &c. Tully, _3. Tusc._ scoffs at Epicurus, for this his profane
physic (as well he deserved), and yet Phavorinus and Stobeus highly approve
of it; most of our looser physicians in some cases, to such parties
especially, allow of this; and all of them will have a melancholy, sad, and
discontented person, make frequent use of honest sports, companies, and
recreations, _et incitandos ad Venerem_, as [3514]Rodericus a Fonseca will,
_aspectu et contactu pulcherrimarum foeminarum_, to be drawn to such
consorts, whether they will or no. Not to be an auditor only, or a
spectator, but sometimes an actor himself. _Dulce est desipere in loco_, to
play the fool now and then is not amiss, there is a time for all things.
Grave Socrates would be merry by fits, sing, dance, and take his liquor
too, or else Theodoret belies him; so would old Cato, [3515]Tully by his
own confession, and the rest. Xenophon, in his _Sympos._ brings in Socrates
as a principal actor, no man merrier than himself, and sometimes he would
[3516]"ride a cockhorse with his children."--_equitare in arundine longa_.
(Though Alcibiades scoffed at him for it) and well he might; for now and
then (saith Plutarch) the most virtuous, honest, and gravest men will use
feasts, jests, and toys, as we do sauce to our meats. So did Scipio and
Laelius,

[3517] "Qui ubi se a vulgo et scena in secreta remorant,
Virtus Scipiadae et mitis sapientia Laeli,
Nugari cum illo, et discincti ludere, donec
Decoqueretur olus, soliti"------

"Valorous Scipio and gentle Laelius,
Removed from the scene and rout so clamorous,
Were wont to recreate themselves their robes laid by,
Whilst supper by the cook was making ready."

Machiavel, in the eighth book of his Florentine history, gives this note of
Cosmo de Medici, the wisest and gr