10
Fortunate men are few, Croesus, but I consider that of all the men I know, the most fortunate are Cleobis and Biton, the sons of the priestess at Argos, who died together the other day when they had harnessed themselves and drawn their mother to the temple on the wagon.In Herodotus Tellus gets the first place.
10
Very well, let them have the first rank in good fortune. But who would be the second?:
10
Tellus of Athens, who lived happily and died for his country.
10
But what about me, knave? Don’t you think I am fortunate?
10
I do not know, Croesus, and shall not until you come to the close of your life. Death is a sure test in such matters, that and a fortunate life right up to the end.
10
Thank you kindly, Solon, for not forgetting us,Himself and Pluto. but demanding the decision of such matters to be made right at the ferry.
11
But who are those men whom Croesus is sending out, and what are they carrying on their shoulders?Compare Herodotus i. 50 ff. The conversation between Solon and Croesus on the subject of the ingots is Lucian’s own contribution.
11
He is making an offering of golden ingots to Apollo at Delphi to pay for the prophecies which will bring him to grief a little later on. The man is monstrously daft on divination.
11
Is that gold, the bright substance that shines, the pale yellow substance with a cast of red? This is the first time that I have seen it, though I am always hearing of it.
11
That is it, Charon, the name that they sing of and fight for.
11
Really I don’t see what good there is about it, except perhaps for one thing, that its bearers find it heavy.
11
You do not know how many wars there have been on account of it, how many plots, perjuries, murders, imprisonments, trading ventures, and enslavements.
11
On account of this substance, not much different from bronze? I know bronze, for, as you are aware, I collect an obol from everyone who makes the downward journey.
