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Lycinus What, our exquisite with his essay?
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Lexiphanes Ah, Lycinus, ’tis but a fledgeling of mine; ’tis all incondite.
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Lycinus O ho, conduits—that is your subject, is it?
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Lexiphanes You mistake me; I said nothing of conduits; you are behind the times; incondite—’tis the word we use now when a thing lacks the finishing touches. But you are the deaf adder that stoppeth her ears.
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Lycinus I beg your pardon, my dear fellow; but conduit, incondite, you know. Well now, what is the idea of your piece?
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Lexiphanes A symposium, a modest challenge to the son of Ariston.
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Lycinus There are a good many sons of Aristons; but, from the symposium, I presume you mean Plato.
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Lexiphanes You take me; what I said could fit no other.
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Lycinus Well, come, read me a little of it; do not send me away thirsty; I see there is nectar in store.
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Lexiphanes Ironist, avaunt! And now open your ears to my charming; adder me no adders.
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Lycinus Go ahead; I am no Adam, nor Eve either.
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Lexiphanes Have an eye to my conduct of the discourse, whether it be fair in commencement, fair in speech, fair in diction, fair in omenclature.
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Lycinus Oh, we know what to expect from Lexiphanes. But come, begin.
