This epigram led up to a discussion of the poets, and for a long time, the greatest praise was bestowed upon Mopsus the Thracian, until Trimalchio broke in with: "Professor, I wish you'd tell me how you'd compare Cicero and Publilius. I'm of the opinion that the first was the more eloquent, but that the last moralizes more beautifully, for what can excel these lines?

Insatiable luxury crumbles the walls of war;

To satiate gluttony, peacocks in coops are brought

Arrayed in gold plumage like Babylon tapestry rich.

Numidian guinea-fowls, capons, all perish for thee:

And even the wandering stork, welcome guest that he is,

The emblem of sacred maternity, slender of leg

And gloctoring exile from winter, herald of spring,

Still, finds his last nest in the--cauldron of gluttony base.

India surrenders her pearls; and what mean they to thee?

That thy wife decked with sea-spoils adorning her breast and her head

On the couch of a stranger lies lifting adulterous legs?

The emerald green, the glass bauble, what mean they to thee?

Or the fire of the ruby? Except that pure chastity shine

From the depth of the jewels: in garments of woven wind clad

Our brides might as well take their stand, their game naked to stalk,

As seek it in gossamer tissue transparent as air."