We felt deeply obligated by his great condescension, and the same
slave for whom we had interceded, rushed up to us as we entered the
dining-room, and to our astonishment, kissed us thick and fast, voicing
his thanks for our kindness. "You'll know in a minute whom you did a
favor for," he confided, "the master's wine is the thanks of a grateful
butler!" At length we reclined, and slave boys from Alexandria poured
water cooled with snow upon our hands, while others following, attended
to our feet and removed the hangnails with wonderful dexterity, nor were
they silent even during this disagreeable operation, but they all kept
singing at their work. I was desirous of finding out whether the whole
household could sing, so I ordered a drink; a boy near at hand instantly
repeated my order in a singsong voice fully as shrill, and whichever one
you accosted did the same. You would not imagine that this was the
dining-room of a private gentleman, but rather that it was an exhibition
of pantomimes. A very inviting relish was brought on, for by now all the
couches were occupied save only that of Trimalchio, for whom, after a new
custom, the chief place was reserved.
On the tray stood a donkey made of Corinthian bronze, bearing panniers
containing olives, white in one and black in the other. Two platters
flanked the figure, on the margins of which were engraved Trimalchio's
name and the weight of the silver in each. Dormice sprinkled with
poppy-seed and honey were served on little bridges soldered fast to the
platter, and hot sausages on a silver gridiron, underneath which were
damson plums and pomegranate seeds.