Fugitivi

Zeus Really, Philosophy has been shamefully treated. We must take some measures with these rascals. Let us think what isto be done. The single stroke of the thunderbolt is too quick a death.

Apollo Father, I have a suggestion to make. By their neglect of the Muses, these vile quacks have incurred my own resentment as well as Philosophy’s. They are not worthy to die by your hand. Instead, I would advise your sending Hermes to them, with full authority to punish them at his discretion.

Zeus A sensible proposal. Heracles, you can go too; take Philosophy with you, and lose no time. Think: this will make your thirteenth Labour, and a creditable one too, the extermination of these reptiles.

Hera Rather than meddle with them, I would give the Augean stables a second clean-out. However, let us be starting, Philosophy.

Philosophy If I must, I must.

Hera Yes, come along, and we will polish off a few to-day.— Which way, Philosophy? You know where they are to be found. Somewhere in Greece, of course?

Philosophy Oh no; the few that there are in Greece are genuine philosophers. Attic poverty is not at all to the liking of the impostors; we must look for them in places where gold and silver mines abound.

Hera Straight to Thrace, then?

Hera Yes, Thrace, and I will show you the way. I know every inch of Thrace; I have been there so often. Look here, this is our route.

Hera Yes?

Hera You see those two magnificent mountains (the big one is Haemus, and the other Rhodope), and the fertile plain that spreads between them, running to the very foot of either? Those three grand, rugged crests that stand out so proudly yonder form as it were a triple citadel to the city that lies beneath; you can see it now, look.

Hera Superb! A queen among cities; her splendours reach us even here. And what is the great river that flows so close beneath the walls?

Hera The Hebrus, and the city was built by Philip. Well, we have left the clouds behind us now; let us try our fortune on terra firma.

Hera Very good; and what comes next? How do we hunt our vermin down?

Hera Ah, that is where you come in, Mr. Crier: oblige us by crying them without loss of time.

Hera There is only one objection to that: I do not know what they are called. What names am I to say, Philosophy? and how shall I describe them?

Philosophy I am not sure of their names, as I have never come into contact with them. To judge from their grasping propensities, however, you can hardly go wrong with Cteso, Ctesippus, Ctesicles, Euctemon, Polyctetus[*](Ctesis is Greek for ‘gain.’).

Hera To be sure. But who are these men? They seem to be looking for something too. Why, they are coming up to speak to us.

Innkeeper and Masters Excuse us, madam, and gentlemen, but have you come across a company of three rascals conducting a woman—a very masculine-looking female, with hair cut short in the Spartan fashion?

Philosophy Ha! the very people we are looking for!

Masters Indeed, madam? But these are three runaway slaves. The woman was kidnapped by them, and we want to get her back.

Hera Our business with them I will tell you afterwards, For the present, let us make a joint proclamation.

Disappeared A Paphlagonian slave, formerly of Sinope. Any person giving information as to his whereabouts will be rewarded; the amount of the reward to be fixed by the informant. Description. Name: begins with CTE. Complexion: sallow. Hair: close-cropped, with long beard.

First Master Why, what is all this about? His name used to be Cantharus when he was with me. He had long hair, and no beard, and was apprenticed to my trade; I am a fuller, and he was in my shop, dressing cloth.

Philosophy Yes, it is the same; but he has dressed to some purpose this time, and has become a philosopher.

First Master Cantharus a philosopher! I like that. And where do I come in?

Second and Third Masters. Oh well, we shall get them all now. This lady knows all about them, it seems.