Hermotimus

Lycinus Ah, but Hesiod, your own authority, tells us, Well begun is half done; so we may safely call you half-way by this time.

Hermotimus Not even there yet; that would indeed have been much.

Lycinus Where shall we put you, then?

Hermotimus Still on the lower slopes, just making an effort to get on; but it is slippery and rough, and needs a helping hand.

Lycinus Well, your master can give you that; from his station on the summit, like Zeus in Homer with his golden cord, he can let you down his discourse, and therewith haul and heave you up to himself and to the Virtue which he has himself attained this long time.

Hermotimus The very picture of what he is doing; if it depended on him alone, I should have been hauled up long ago; it is my part that is still wanting.

Lycinus You must be of good cheer and keep a stout heart; gaze at the end of your climb and the Happiness at the top, and remember that he is working with you. What prospect does he hold out? when are you to be up? does he think you will

Hermotimus Too soon, Lycinus.

Lycinus By next Olympiad, then?

Hermotimus All too short a time, even that, for habituation to Virtue and attainment of Happiness.

Lycinus Say two Olympiads, then, for an outside estimate. You may fairly be found guilty of laziness, if you cannot get it done by then; the time would allow you three return trips from the Pillars of Heracles to India, with a margin for exploring the tribes on the way instead of sailing straight and never stopping. How much higher and more slippery, pray, is the peak on which your Virtue dwells than that Aornos crag which Alexander stormed in a few days?

Hermotimus There is no resemblance, Lycinus; this is not a thing, as you conceive it, to be compassed and captured quickly, though ten thousand Alexanders were to assault it; in that case, the scalers would have been legion. As it is, a good number begin the climb with great confidence, and do make progress, some very little indeed, others more; but when they get half-way, they find endless difficulties and discomforts, lose heart, and turn back, panting, dripping, and exhausted. But those who endure to the end reach the top, to be blessed thenceforth with wondrous days, looking down from their height upon the ants which are the rest of mankind.

Lycinus Dear me, what tiny things you make us out—not so big as the Pygmies even, but positively grovelling on the face of the earth. I quite understand it; your thoughts are up aloft already. And we, the common men that walk the earth, shall mingle you with the Gods in our prayers; for you are translated above the clouds, and gone up whither you have so long striven.

Hermotimus If but that ascent might be, Lycinus! but it is far yet.

Lycinus But you have never told me how far, in terms of time.

Hermotimus No; for I know not precisely myself. My guess is that it will not be more than twenty years; by that time I shall surely be on the summit.

Lycinus Mercy upon us, you take long views!

Hermotimus Ay; but, as the toil, so is the reward.

Lycinus That may be; but about these twenty years—have you your master’s promise that you will live so long? is he prophet as well as philosopher? or is it a soothsayer or Chaldean expert that you trust? such things are known to them, I understand. You would never, of course, if there were any uncertainty of your life’s lasting to the Virtue-point, slave and toil night and day like this; why, just as you were close to the top, your fate might come upon you, lay hold of you by the heel, and lug you down with your hopes unfulfilled.

Hermotimus God forbid! these are words of ill omen, Lycinus; may life be granted me, that I may grow wise, and have if it be but one day of Happiness!

Lycinus For all these toils will you be content with your one day?

Hermotimus Content? yes, or with the briefest moment of it.

Lycinus But is there indeed Happiness up there—and worth all the pains? How can you tell? You have never been up yourself.

Hermotimus I trust my master’s word; and he knows well; is he not on the topmost height?

Lycinus Oh, do tell me what he says about it; what is Happiness like? wealth, glory, pleasures incomparable?

Hermotimus Hush, friend! all these have nought to do with the Virtuous life.

Lycinus Well, if these will not do, what are the good things he offers to those who carry their course right through?

Hermotimus Wisdom, courage, true beauty, justice, full and firm

Lycinus

By Heracles (and his death on Oeta), they quit themselves like men, and have their reward, it seems. But there is one thing I should like to know: are they allowed to come down from their elevation sometimes, and have a taste of what they left behind them? or when they have once got up, must they stay there, conversing with Virtue, and smiling at wealth and glory and pleasure?

Hermotimus The latter, assuredly; more than that, a man once admitted of Virtue’s company will never be subject to wrath or fear or desire any more; no, nor can he feel pain, nor any such sensation.

Lycinus Well, but—if one might dare to say what one thinks— but no—let me keep a good tongue in my head—it were irreverent to pry into what wise men do.

Hermotimus Nay, nay; let me know your meaning.

Lycinus Dear friend, I have not the courage.

Hermotimus Out with it, my good fellow; we are alone.