4
Then you will learn of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water; their action, their movement, their shapes.
4
Have Fire and Air and Water shapes?
4
Clearly. That cannot move which lacks shape and form. You will also find that God is a number; an intelligence; a harmony.
4
You surprise me.
5
More than this, you have to learn that you yourself are not the person you appear to be.
5
What, I am some one else, not the I who am speaking to you?
5
You are that you now: but you have formerly inhabited another body, and borne another name. And in course of time you will change once more.
5
Why then I shall be immortal, and take one shape after another?
6
But enough of this, And now what is your diet?
6
Of living things I eat none. All else I eat, except beans.
6
And why no beans? Do you dislike them?
6
No. But they are sacred things. Their nature is a mystery. Consider them first in their generative aspect; take a green one and peel it, and you will see what I mean. Again, boil one and expose it to moonlight for a proper number of nights, and you have—blood. What is more, the Athenians use beans to vote with.
6
Admirable! A very feast of reason. Now just strip, and let me see what you are like. Bless me, here is a creed with a golden thigh! He is no mortal, he is a God. I must have him at any price. What do you start him at?
6
Forty pounds.
6
He is mine for forty pounds,
6
Take the gentleman’s name and address.
6
He must come from Italy, I should think; Croton or Tarentum, or one of the Greek towns in those parts. But he is not the only buyer. Some three hundred of them have clubbed together.
6
They are welcome to him. Now up with the next.
7
What about yonder grubby PontianSee Diogenes in Notes.?
7
Yes, he will do.
7
You there with the wallet and cloak; come along, walk round the room. Lot No.2, A most sturdy and valiant creed, free-born. What offers?
7
Hullo, Mr. Auctioneer, are you going to sell a free man?
7
That was the idea
7
Take care, he may have you up for kidnapping. This might be matter for the Areopagus.
