Ὁ μὲν Ἐπίχαρμος τοὺς θεοὺς εἶναι λέγει
ἀνέμους, ὕδωρ, γῆν, ἥλιον, πῦρ, ἀστέρας·
ἐγὼ δ’ ὑπέλαβον χρησίμους εἶναι θεοὺς
τἀργύριον ἡμῖν καὶ τὸ χρυσίον <μόνους>. [Epicharmus, fr. B 8]
ἱδρυσάμενος τούτους γὰρ εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν
εὖξαι· τί βούλει; πάντα σοι γενήσεται,
ἀγρός, οἰκίαι, θεράποντες, ἀργυρώματα,
φίλοι, δικασταί, μάρτυρες. μόνον δίδου·
αὐτοὺς γὰρ ἕξεις τοὺς θεοὺς ὑπηρέτας.
[Menander, fr. 537]
Epicharmus claims as gods Winds, Water, Earth, Sun, Fire, and Stars, whereas it were my thought that Gold and Silver are for us the useful gods. Just dedicate their shrines within your house and say your prayers. What do you wish for? All things shall be yours: estate and houses, servants, silver-plate, friends, jurymen, and witnesses. Pay! pay! that’s all. For you will have the gods themselves as adjutants. (tr. Francis G. Allinson)
Crambe Repetita 