A Comedy Of Quadrupeds
In a play exhibited at Rome, in the reign of Tiberius, there were twelve
elephant performers, six males and six females, clothed in fancy costume.
After they had, at the command of their keeper, danced and performed a
thousand curious antics, a most sumptuous feast was served up for their
refreshment. The table was covered with all sorts of dainties, and golden
goblets filled with the most precious wines; and beds covered with purple
carpets were placed around for the animals to lie upon, after the manner
of the Romans when feasting. On these carpets the elephants laid
themselves down, and at a given signal they reached out their trunks to
the table, and fell to eating and drinking with as much propriety as if
they had been so many honest citizens.
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