Arnobius

“ If these things cause the gods to forget their resentment, if they derive the highest pleasure from comedies, Atellane farces, and pantomimes, why do you delay, why do you hesitate, to say that the gods themselves also play, act lasciviously, dance, compose obscene songs, and undulate with trembling haunches? ”

“ The gods, forsooth, delight in mimics; and that surpassing excellence which has not been comprehended by any human faculty, opens [6] its ears most willingly to hear these plays, with most of which they know they are mixed up to be turned to derision; they are delighted, as it is, with the shaved heads of the fools, by the sound of flaps, and by the noise of applause, by shameful actions and words, by huge red fascina. ”

“ But further, if they see men weakening themselves to the effeminacy of women, some vociferating uselessly, others running about without cause, [7] others, while their friendship is unbroken, bruising and maiming each with the bloody cestus, these contending in speaking without drawing breath, [8] swelling out their cheeks with wind, and shouting out noisily empty vows, do they lift up their hands to heaven in their admiration, start up moved by such wonders, burst into exclamations, again become gracious to men? ”