46–47
PHILOSOPHY
Good for you, Truth! Let the test, Frankness, be like the test of the eaglets against the sun. Not that they, like the eaglets, are to stare at the light and be put to the proof in that way; but set gold and fame and pleasure in their view, and whomsoever of them you see paying no attention and in no way attracted to the spectacle, let him be the one to wear the crown of green olive; but whomever you see gazing fixedly at the gold and reaching his hand out after it, hale him off to the branding-place, after first cutting off his beard in accordance with our decision.
FRANKNESS
It shall be done, Philosophy. You shall very soon see most of them wearing the fox-brand or the ape- brand, and but few crowned with wreaths. If you like, however, I will bring you up some of them here and now.
PHILOSOPHY
What! you will bring up the runaways?
FRANKNESS
Yes, indeed, if the priestess will be good enough to lend me for a moment that hook and line which the fisherman from the Peiraeus dedicated.
PRIESTESS
There, take it, and the rod too, so that you may have a complete outfit.
FRANKNESS
And now, priestess, give me some figs quickly and a little of your gold.
5
PHILOSOPHY
What does the man intend to do? Baiting the hook with the fig and the gold, and taking his seat on the crest of the wall, he has made a cast into the town! Why are you doing that, Frankness? Have you made up your mind to fish up the stones out of the Pelasgicon?
FRANKNESS
Hush, Philosophy; wait and see my catch. Poseidon, god of fishermen, and dear Amphitrite, send us up quantities of fish!
