Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/311

thing of itself, and sendeth no light at all nor rays from it; for certainly say that a rich man dine and sup privately alone, or with his wife and some inward and familiar friends, he troubleth not himself about furnishing of his table with many services, dainty dishes, and festival fare; he stands not so much upon his golden cups and goblets, but useth those things that be ordinary, which go about every day and come next hand, as well vessel as viands; his wife sits by his side and bears him company, not decked and hung with jewels and spangles of gold, not arrayed in purple, but in plain attire and simply clad; but when he makes a feast, (that is to say) sets out a theatre wherein the pomps and shews are to meet and make a jangling noise together, when the plays are to be represented of his riches, and the solemn train thereof to be brought in place; then comes abroad his brave furniture indeed; then he fetcheth out of the ship his fair chaufers and goodly pots; then bringeth he forth his rich three-footed tables; then come abroad the lamps, candle-sticks and branches of silver; the lights are disposed in order about the cups; the cup-bearers, skinkers and tasters are changed; all places are newly dight and covered; all things are then stirred and removed that saw no sun long before; the silver plate, the golden vessels, and those that be set and enriched with precious stones; to conclude, now there is no shew else but of riches; at such a time they confess themselves and will be known wealthy. But all this while, whether a rich man sup alone, or make a feast, temperance is away and true contentment.