25–27
Plutus
My dear fellow, how can he expect it? He knows I am blind, and he sends me groping about for a thing so hard to detect, and so nearly extinct this long time, that a Lynceus would have his work cut out spying for its dubious remains: So you see, as the good are few, and cities are crowded with multitudes of the bad, I am much more likely to come upon me latter in my rambles, and they keep me in their nets.
Hermes
But when you are leaving them, how do you find escape so easy? you do not know the way.
Plutus
Ah, there is just one occasion which brings me quickass of eye and foot; and that is flight.
Hermes
Yet another question. You are not only blind (excuse my frankness), but pallid and decrepit; how comes it, then, that you have so many lovers? All men’s looks are for you; if they get possession of you, they count themselves happy men; if they miss you, life is not worth living. Why, I have known not a few so sick for love of you that they have scaled some skypointing crag, and thence hurled themselves to unplumbed ocean depths,See Apology for ‘The Dependent Scholar,’ 10. when they thought they were scorned by you, because you would not acknowledge their first salute. I am sure you know yourself well enough to confess that they must be lunatics, to rave about such charms as yours.
Plutus
Why, you do not suppose they see me in my true shape, lame, blind, and so forth?
Hermes
How else, unless they are all as blind themselves?
