Of the several things that are provided for an entertainment, some, my Sossius Senecio, are absolutely necessary; such are wine, bread, meat, lounges, and tables.

Others are brought in, not for necessity, but pleasure; such are songs, shows, mimics, and buffoons; which, when present, delight indeed, but when absent, are not eagerly desired; nor is the entertainment looked upon as mean because such things are wanting.

Just so of discourses; some the sober men admit as necessary to a banquet, and others for their pretty nice speculations, as more profitable and agreeable than the fiddle and the pipe.

My former book gives you examples of both sorts.

Of the first are these, Whether we should philosophize at table ?--Whether the entertainer should appoint proper seats, or leave the guests to agree upon there own?
Of the second, Why lovers are inclined to poetry?
And the question about the tribe of Aeantis.