d
reduces that of the king to the same state with that of the orphan, and
he who stands in need of a tutor; and erects that of the slave to the
boldness of him that is free; and that of the needy becomes like that
of the rich man, for it changes and renews the souls of men when it
gets into them; and it quenches the sorrow of those that are under
calamities, and makes men forget the debts they owe to others, and makes
them think themselves to be of all men the richest; it makes them talk
of no small things, but of talents, and such other names as become
wealthy men only; nay more, it makes them insensible of their
commanders, and of their kings, and takes away the remembrance of their
friends and companions, for it arms men even against those that are
dearest to them, and makes them appear the greatest strangers to them;
and when they are become sober, and they have slept out their wine in
the night, they arise without knowing any thing they have done in their
cups. I take these for signs of power, and by them discover that wine is
the strongest and most insuperable of all things."

4. As soon as the first had given the forementioned demonstrations of
the strength of wine, he left off; and the next to him began to speak
about the strength of a king, and demonstrated that it was the strongest
of all, and more powerful than any thing else that appears to have any
force or wisdom. He began his demonstration after the following manner;
and said, "They are men who govern all things; they force the earth and
the sea to become profitable to them in what they desire, and over these
men do kings rule, and over them they have authority. Now those who rule
over that animal which is of all the strongest and most powerful,
must needs deserve to be esteemed insuperable in power and force. For
example, when these kings command their subjects to make wars, and
undergo dangers, they are hearkened to; and when they send them against
their enemies, their power is so great that they are obeyed. They
command men to level mountains, and to pull down walls and towers; nay,
when they are commanded to be killed and to kill, they submit to it,
that they may not appear to transgress the king's commands; and when
they have conquered, they bring what they have gained in the war to the
king. Those also who are not soldiers, but cultivate the ground, and
plough it, and when, after they have endured the labor and all the
inconveniences of such works o