Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Ver. 17. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is.] Mensa consecrata est amicitiae, saith one. The table is dedicated to friendship, and an absurd thing it is there to raise quarrels, or to revenge wrongs, as Absalom did when he killed his brother Amnon; as Alexander did when he killed his friend Philotas; and as the great Turk when he intends the death of any of his great Bashaws - he invites them to a feast, in the midst whereof he commandeth the black gown to be cast upon their shoulders, and then they are presently taken from table and strangled. Isaac made a feast for Abimelech and Phicol, to show that he was heartily reconciled to them. Gen 26:30 The Greeks had their χαριστηρια, or love feasts for like purpose. Among the Latins, as Varro testifieth, it was held a complete feast, si belli conveniant homines, si temporis sit habita ratio, si locus sit non ingratus, sl non negllgens apparatus, a if they were merry men that met, if they sat not over long, nor over late; if the place were pleasant, and the cheer indifferent. Green herbs, it seems, was a great dish with them, which therefore they called Holus, ab ολον, as if they thought no dish were wanting if that were set upon the table. These herbs they are called οξυβαφα, Acetaria, because they used to dip them in vinegar, and thereunto if they had bread, which they called Panis of παν, they held they had all that heart could wish or need require. b
a Varro, Invetr. fragm.
b Becman.