Alexander

Lucian of Samosata

Lucian, Vol. 4. Harmon, A. M., editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1925.

At another time, when Rutilianus enquired whose soul he had inherited, the reply was :

  1. Peleus’ son wert thou at the first ; thereafter Menander,
  2. Then what thou seemest now, and hereafter shalt turn to a sunbeam.
  3. Four score seasons of life shall be given thee over a hundred.
But as a matter of fact he died insane at seventy without awaiting the fulfilment of the god’s promise !