11–12
Hermes
Ah, you do not know what it has to answer for; the wars and plots and robberies, the perjuries and murders; for this men will endure slavery and imprisonment; for this they traffic and sail the seas.;
Charon
For this stuff? Why, it is not much different from copper. I know copper, of course, because I get a penny from each passenger.
Hermes
Yes, but copper is plentiful, and therefore not much esteemed by men. Gold is found only in small quantities, and the miners have to go to a considerable depth for it. For the rest, it comes out of the earth, just the same as lead and other metals.
Charon
What fools men must be, to be enamoured of an object of this sallow complexion; and of such a weight!
Hermes
Well, Solon, at any rate, seems to have no great affection for it, See, he is making merry with Croesus and his outlandish magnificence. I think he is going to ask him a question. Listen.
10
Solon
Croesus, will those bars be any use to Apollo, do you think?
Croesus
Any use! Why there is nothing at Delphi to be compared to them.
Solon
And that is all that is wanting to complete his happiness, eh?—some bar gold?
Solon
Then they must be very hard up in Heaven, if they have to send all the way to Lydia for their gold supply?
5
Croesus
Where else is gold to be had in such abundance as with us?
Solon
Now is any iron found in Lydia?
Solon
Ab; so you are lacking in the more valuable metal,
Croesus
More valuable? Iron more valuable than gold?
10
Solon
Bear with me, while I ask you a few questions, and I will convince you it is so.
