38
What else but to acquit him of the charge and set him down as our friend and benefactor? Indeed, just what happened to the IliansThe latter-day Trojans. has happened to us— we have brought down upon ourselves an actor of tragedies to hold forth about the woes of the Trojans! Let him hold forth, then, and make tragedies out of these miscreants.
38
I, too, Philosophy, commend the man highly, take back my complaint and count him a friend, for he is a gallant fellow.
39
Good! Come, Frankness. We acquit you of the charge; you have an unanimous verdict in your favour, and from now on you may count yourself one of my household.
39
I pay my homage at once. (He kisses his hand.) But no! I think I shall do it more as they do in a play, for that will be more reverential: O Victory, goddess so greatly revered, Take my life in thy care And cease not to crown me with garlands. Euripides, close of Phoenissac, Orestes, Iphigenia om Tauris.
39
Well, then, let us now initiate our second bowl of wine. Let us summon up those others to be punished for the insults they are inflicting upon us. Frankness shall accuse each of them.
39
Quite right, Virtue; so slip down into the town, Syllogism, my lad, and summon the philosophers.
40
Oyez! Silence! Let the philosophers come to the Acropolis to present their defence before Virtue, Philosophy, and Justice.
40
Do you see! Very few of them understood the summons and are coming up. Besides, they fear Justice, and most of them are actually too busy because of their attentions to the rich. If you wish them all to come, Syllogism, make your proclamation like this—
40
No! You summon them, Frankness. in the way you think best.
