2–3
POLYSTRATUS
At first, I could do anything. I still could enjoy plenty of pretty boys, and the nicest women, unguents and fragrant wine, and a table to outdo any in Sicily.
SIMYLUS
That’s something new. I knew you to be very sparing.
POLYSTRATUS
Ah, but the good things came pouring in from others, my good fellow; at crack of dawn crowds of folk would start flocking to my doors, and later in the day all kinds of choice gifts from every corner of the earth would arrive.
SIMYLUS
Did you become tyrant, Polystratus, after my time?
POLYSTRATUS
No, but I had thousands of lovers.
5
SIMYLUS
You make me laugh. Lovers? At your age? With only four teeth in your head?
POLYSTRATUS
Yes indeed, the noblest lovers in the city. Though I was old and bald, as you see, yes, and blear-eyed and snivelling too, they were delighted to court me, and anyone of them I favoured with a mere glance thought himself in heaven.
SIMYLUS
You weren’t another to have a divine passenger, as did Phaon, Phaon was said to have been an ugly old ferryman of Mytilene, who was made young and handsome by Aphrodite as a reward for ferrying her, and then to have won the love of Sappho. when he ferried Aphrodite over from Chios, and have your prayers answered, becoming young, handsome and attractive all over again?
POLYSTRATUS
No, I was the desire of all, though just as you see me now.
SIMYLUS
You’re talking in riddles.
10
POLYSTRATUS
Yet this great love for rich, childless old men is there for all to see.
SIMYLUS
Now I understand your beauty, you old wonder; it came from the golden Aphrodite.
