28–29
Mikyllos
I did not know, Cock, that you are a sorcerer, too. Now if you will give me this chance once, you will soon see all Simon's wealth transferred to this house; for if I can make my way in I will carry it off, and then he will have to come back to his lasts and nibble for a living.
Cock
That is not permitted. Hermes commanded me, if the holder of the feather should do anything of the sort, to give the alarm and have him caught in the theft.
Mykillos
That is a likely story! Hermes, a thief himself, begrudges theft to others! However, let us be off. I will keep my hands off the gold if I can.
Cock
First, Mikyllos, pluck the soft feather. What are you doing? You have plucked them both!
10
Mykillos
To be on the safe side, Cock. And you will look better so. Your tail will be more symmetrical.
Cock
All right. Shall we go to see Simon first, or some other millionaire?
Mikyllos
Oh, Simon, by all means, who thinks himself a greater man by two syllables now he is rich. Here we are already at his door. What must I do next?
Cock
Touch the bolt with the feather.
Mykillos
That's done. Gracious heaven, the door has opened as if with a key!
Cock
Go in first. There, do you see him keeping vigil over his accounts?
5
Mikyllos
Yes! by Zeus, with a feeble, ill-fed lamp. And he is pale, I don't know why, and he has fallen away to a skeleton. It must be from anxiety, for I never heard he was ill otherwise.
Cock
Hear what he says. Then you will know why he is thus.
