30
That’s the oracle that Theagenes says he heard from the Sibyl. Now I'll give him one of Bacis’s on the same subject. Bacis speaks very much to the point as follows: What time the Cynic many-named shall leap, Stirred in his heart with mad desire for fame, Into hot fire—then shall the Fox-dogs all, His followers, go hence as went the Wolf. And him that shuns Hephaestus’ fiery might Th’ Achaeans all shall straightway slay with stones; Lest, cool in courage, he essay warm words, Stuffing with gold of usury his scrip; For in fair Patrae he hath thrice five talents. What say you, friends? Can Bacis turn an oracle too, as well as the Sibyl? Apparently it is time for the esteemed followers of Proteus to select their spots for “ evaporation,” as they call burning.’
31
A universal shout from the audience greeted this conclusion: ‘Away with them to the fire! ’tis all they are good for.’ The orator descended, beaming. But Nestor marked the uproar— The shouts no sooner reached Theagenes’s ears, than he was back on the platform, bawling out all manner of scandal against the last speaker (I don’t know what this capital fellow was called). However, I left Theagenes there, bursting with indignation, and went off to see the games, as I heard the stewards were already on the course. So much for Elis.
