48
FRANKNESS
Ah! I see a fine big pike, or rather, a golden carp.—No, it is a cat-fish. Anyhow, he is coming up to the hook with his mouth open. He has scented the gold; now he is close by; he struck; he is on; let’s pull him up. You pull too, Investigation. Investigation, take hold of the line with me!
INVESTIGATION
He isup! Come, let me see what you are, my good fish. A dogfish!i.e, a Cynic. Heracles, what teeth! How about it, my fine fellow? Caught, were you, gormandizing about the rocks, where you hoped to slip under cover and keep out of sight? But now you will be in public view, hung up by the gills! Let us take out the hook and the bait. No, by Zeus, he has swallowed it! Here is your hook, all bare; the fig and the gold are secure in his insides.
FRANKNESS
Let him spew them up, by Zeus, so that we may bait for others. That’s well. What say you, Diogenes; do you know who this fellow is, and has he anything in common with you?
DIOGENES
Not in the least!
FRANKNESS
Well, how much ought we to call him worth? For my part, I valued him at two obols the other day.
5
DIOGENES
A high price. He is inedible and ugly and tough and worthless. Throw him down the cliff head first. Let down your hook and pull up another. But I say: look out, Frankness, not to let your rod bend till it breaks.
FRANKNESS
Have no fear, Diogenes. They are light, and pull no harder than weakfish.Lucian puns upon ἀφύη (a small fish, sprat) and ἀφυή (dull, stupid).
DIOGENES
Aye, they are mighty weak, for certain; pull them up, however.
