17–19
Fifth Dealer
What! Then the laws of adultery are clean swept away?
5
Socrates
I should think they were! and a world of hair-splitting with them.
Fifth Dealer
And what do you do with the handsome boys?
Socrates
‘Their kisses are the reward of merit, of noble and spirited actions.
Fifth Dealer
Unparalleled generosity!—And now, what are the main features of your philosophy?
Socrates
Ideas and types of things. All things that you see, the earth and all that is upon it, the sea, the sky,—each has its counterpart in the invisible world.
Fifth Dealer
And where are they?
Socrates
Nowhere. Were they anywhere, they were not what they are.
Fifth Dealer
I see no signs of these ‘types’ of yours.
5
Socrates
Of course not; because you are spiritually blind. I see the counterparts of all things; an invisible you, an invisible me; everything is in duplicate.
Fifth Dealer
Come, such a shrewd and lynx-eyed creed is worth a bid. Let me see. What do you want for him?
Fifth Dealer
Done with you. Only I must settle the bill another day.
Fifth Dealer
Dion; of Syracuse.
Heraclitus
Take him, and much good may he do you. Now I want Epicureanism. Who offers for Epicureanism? He isa disciple of the laughing creed and the drunken creed, whom we were offering just now. But he has one extra accomplishment— impiety. For the rest, a dainty, lickerish creed.
Heraclitus
Eight pounds.
5
Sixth Dealer
Here you are. By the way, you might let me know what he likes to eat.
Heraclitus
Anything sweet. Anything with honey in it. Dried figs are his favourite dish.
