3
I have heard something of the kind about your race before: that a certain young man named Cock became a friend of Ares, and was a boon companion of the god, joined his revels, and shared his love affairs. So whenever Ares went to see his mistress, Aphrodite, he took Cock along, too, and, because he was suspicious chiefly of the Sun, lest he should look down upon them and tell tales to Hephaistos, he always left the young man outside at the door to report the rising of the Sun. On one occasion Cock fell asleep and betrayed his post without meaning to, and the Sun appeared unexpectedly to Aphrodite and to Ares, taking his rest securely in his confidence that Cock would let him know if any one approached. In this way Hephaistos learned about them from the Sun and caught them, netting them and snaring them in the bonds which he had wrought for them before. Ares, when he was released, was furious against Cock, and changed him into the bird of that name, armor and all, so that he still has the crest of his helmet on his head; and this is the reason why, whenever you perceive the sun about to rise you lift up your voices long before to declare his rising, defending yourself to Ares, though it will do you no good now.
4
They tell that story, too; but my case was somewhat different, and it is quite lately that I turned into a cock, at your service.
4
In what way? I have the greatest desire to know.
4
Do you know by hearsay one Pythagoras, a Samian, the son of Mnesarchos?
4
Do you mean the sophist, the impostor, who made laws against tasting meat or eating beans-declaring my favorite dish banished from the table-and who moreover persuaded people to keep silence for five years?
4
Of course you know this, too, that before he was Pythagoras he was Euphorbos?
4
They say that fellow was a juggler and a conjurer.
4
I myself am none other than that Pythagoras; so stop your railing at me, my friend, particularly since you do not know what manner of man I was.
