Kitap 9
1
So here you are at last, Polystratus; you must be something very like a centenarian.
1
Ninety-eight.
1
And what sort of a life have you had of it, these thirty years? you were about seventy when I died.
1
Delightful, though you may find it hard to believe.
1
It ¢s surprising that you could have any joy of your life— old, weak, and childless, moreover.
2
In the first place, I could do just what I liked; there were still plenty of handsome boys and dainty women; perfumes were sweet, wine kept its bouquet, Sicilian feasts were nothing to mine,
2
This is a change, to be sure; you were very economical in my day.
2
Ah, but, my simple friend, these good things were presents—came in streams. From dawn my doors were thronged with visitors, and in the day it was a procession of the fairest gifts of earth.
2
Why, you must have seized the crown after my death.
2
Oh no, it was only that I inspired a number of tender passions,
2
Tender passions, indeed! what, you, an old man with hardly a tooth left in your head!
2
Certainly; the first of our townsmen were in love with me. Such as you see me, old, bald, blear-eyed, rheumy, they delighted to do me honour; happy was the man on whom my glance rested a moment.
2
Well, then, you had some adventure like Phaon’s, when he rowed Aphrodite across from Chios; your God granted your prayer and made you young and fair and lovely again.
2
No, no; I was as you see me, and I was the object of all desire.
2
Oh, I give it up.
3
Why, I should have thought you knew the violent passion for old men who have plenty of money and no children.
3
Ah, now I comprehend your beauty, old fellow; it was the Golden Aphrodite bestowed it.
3
I assure you, Simylus, I had a good deal of satisfaction out of my lovers; they idolized me, almost. Often I would be coy and shut some of them out. Such rivalries! such jealous emulations!
4
And how did you dispose of your fortune in the end?
