Chapter 89
CHREMYLUS. But with what object now do you bring this old cloak, which your slave is carrying? Tell me.
JUST MAN. I wish to dedicate it to the G.o.d.[790]
CHREMYLUS. Were you initiated into the Great Mysteries in that cloak?[791]
JUST MAN. No, but I s.h.i.+vered in it for thirteen years.
CHREMYLUS. And this footwear?
JUST MAN. These also are my winter companions.
CHREMYLUS. And you wish to dedicate them too?
JUST MAN. Unquestionably.
CHREMYLUS. Fine presents to offer to the G.o.d!
AN INFORMER. Alas! alas! I am a lost man. Ah! thrice, four, five, twelve times, or rather ten thousand times unhappy fate! Why, why must fortune deal me such rough blows?
CHREMYLUS. Oh, Apollo, my tutelary! oh! ye favourable G.o.ds! what has overtaken this man?
INFORMER. Ah! am I not deserving of pity? I have lost everything; this cursed G.o.d has stripped me bare. Ah! if there be justice in heaven, he shall be struck blind again.
JUST MAN. Methinks I know what's the matter. If this man is unfortunate, 'tis because he's of little account and small honesty; and i' faith he looks it too.
CHREMYLUS. Then, by Zeus! his plight is but just.
INFORMER. He promised that if he recovered his sight, he would enrich us all unaided; whereas he has ruined more than one.
CHREMYLUS. But whom has he thus ill-used?
INFORMER. Me.
CHREMYLUS. You were doubtless a villainous thief then.
INFORMER (_to Chremylus and Cario_). 'Tis rather you yourselves who were such wretches; I am certain you have got my money.
CHREMYLUS. Ha! by Demeter! 'tis an informer. What impudence!
CARIO. He's ravenously
INFORMER. You shall follow me this very instant to the marketplace, where the torture of the wheel shall force the confession of your misdeeds from you.
CARIO. Ha! look out for yourself!
JUST MAN. By Zeus the Deliverer, what grat.i.tude all Greeks owe to Plutus, if he destroys these vile informers!
INFORMER. You are laughing at me. Ho! ho! I denounce you as their accomplice. Where did you steal that new cloak from? Yesterday I saw you with one utterly worn out.
JUST MAN. I fear you not, thanks to this ring, for which I paid Eudemus[792] a drachma.
CHREMYLUS. Ah! there's no ring to preserve you from the informer's bite.
INFORMER. The insolent wretches! But, my fine jokers, you have not told me what you are up to here. Nothing good, I'll be bound.
CHREMYLUS. Nothing of any good for you, be sure of that.
INFORMER. By Zeus! you're going to dine at my expense!
CHREMYLUS. You vile impostor, may you burst with an empty belly, both you and your witness.
INFORMER. You deny it? I reckon, you villians, that there is much salt fish and roast meat in this house. Hu! hu! hu! hu! hu! hu! (_He sniffs._)
CHREMYLUS. Can you smell anything, rascal?
INFORMER. Can such outrages be borne, oh, Zeus! Ye G.o.ds! how cruel it is to see me treated thus, when I am such an honest fellow and such a good citizen!
CHREMYLUS. You an honest man! you a good citizen!
INFORMER. A better one than any.
CHREMYLUS. Ah! well then, answer my questions.
INFORMER. Concerning what?
CHREMYLUS. Are you a husbandman?
INFORMER. D'ye take me for a fool?
CHREMYLUS. A merchant?
INFORMER. I a.s.sume the t.i.tle, when it serves me.[793]
CHREMYLUS. Do you ply any trade?
INFORMER. No, most a.s.suredly not!
CHREMYLUS. Then how do you live, if you do nothing?
INFORMER. I superintend public and private business.
CHREMYLUS. You! And by what right, pray?
INFORMER. Because it pleases me to do so.
CHREMYLUS. Like a thief you sneak yourself in where you have no business.
You are hated by all and you claim to be an honest man?