1–3
ZEUS
(To an attendant.) You arrange the benches and make the place ready for the men that are coming. (To another avrenpant.) You bring on the philosophies and put them in line; but first groom them up, so that they will look well and will attract as many as possible. (Zo nErmeEs.) You, Hermes, be crier and call them together.
HERMES
Under the blessing of Heaven, let the buyers now appear at the sales-room. We shall put up for sale philosophies of every type and all manner of creeds; and if anyone is unable to pay cash, he is to name a surety and pay next year.
ZEUS
Many are gathering, so we must avoid wasting time and delaying them. Let us begin the sale, then.
HERMES
Which do you want us to bring on first?
ZEUS
This fellow with the long hair, the Ionian, for he seems to be someone of distinction.
HERMES
You Pythagorean, come forward and let yourself be looked over by the company.
HERMES
The noblest of philosophies for sale, the most distinguished; who'll buy? Who wants to be more than man? Who wants to apprehend the music of the spheres and to be born again?
BUYER
For looks, he is not bad, but what does he know best?
HERMES
Arithmetic, astronomy, charlatanry, geometry, music and quackery; you see in him a first-class soothsayer.
BUYER
May I question him?
HERMES
Yes, and good luck to you!
10
BUYER
Where are you from?
PYTHAGOREAN
From Samos.The birthplace of Pythagoras. Hence the “‘ Pythagorean philosophy” talks Ionic Greek.
BUYER
Where were you educated?
PYTHAGOREAN
In Egypt, with the sages there.
BUYER
Come now, if I buy you, what will you teach me?
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