(To an attendant.) You arrange the benches and make the place ready for the men that are coming. (To another avrenpant.) You bring on the philosophies and put them in line ; but first groom them up, so that they will look well and will attract as many as possible. (Zo nErmeEs.) You, Hermes, be crier and call them together.
Under the blessing of Heaven, let the buyers now appear at the sales-room. We shall put up for sale philosophies of every type and all manner of creeds; and if anyone is unable to pay cash, he is to name a surety and pay next year.
Many are gathering, so we must avoid wasting time and delaying them. Let us begin the sale, then.
Which do you want us to bring on first ?
This fellow with the long hair, the Ionian, for he
seems to be someone of distinction.
Hawk him now.
The noblest of philosophies for sale, the most distinguished ; who'll buy ? Who wants to be more than man? Who wants to apprehend the music of the spheres and to be born again ?
For looks, he is not bad, but what does he know best ?
Arithmetic, astronomy, charlatanry, geometry, music and quackery; you see in him a first-class soothsayer.
May I question him?
Yes, and good luck to you!
Where are you from?
From Samos.
In Egypt, with the sages there.
I shall teach thee nothing, but make thee remember.
First by making thy soul pure and purging off the filth upon it.
Well, imagine that my purification is complete, what will be your method of making me remember?
In the first place, long silence and speechlessness, and for five entire years no word of talk.
My good man, you had better teach the son of
Croesus!?
Thou shalt be practised in music and geometry.
That is delightful ; I am to become a fiddler before being wise!