But who is this breathless messenger? Bronze—a nice clean figure and outline—chevelure rather out of date. Ah, he must be your brother, Hermes, who stands in the Market by the Poecile; I see he is all over pitch; that is what comes of having casts taken of you every day. My son, why this haste? Have you important news from Earth?

Momentous news, calling for infinite energy.

Speak, tarry not, if any peril else hath escaped our vigilance.

It chanced of late that by the statuaries My breast and back were plastered o’er with pitch;A mock cuirass tight-clinging hung, to ape My bronze, and take the seal of its impression. When lo, a crowd! therein a pallid pair Sparring amain, vociferating logic;'Twas Damis and—

Truce to your iambics, my excellent Hermagoras; I know the pair. But tell me whether the fight has been going on long.

Not yet; they were still skirmishing—slinging invective at long range.

Then we have only, Gods, to look over and listen. Let the Hours unbar, draw back the clouds, and open the doors of Heaven.

Upon my word, what a vast gathering! And I do not quite like the looks of Timocles; he is trembling; he has lost his head; he will spoil everything; it is perfectly plain, he will not be able to stand up to Damis. Well, there is one thing left us: we can pray for him Inwardly, silently, lest Damis hear.

What, you miscreant, no Gods? no Providence?

No, no; you answer my question first; what makes you believe in them?

None of that, now; the onus probandi is with you, scoundrel.

None of that, now; it is with you.

At this game ours is much the better man—loudervoiced, rougher-tempered. Good, Timocles; stick to invective; that is your strong point; once you get off that, he will hook and hold you up like a fish.

I solemnly swear I will not answer first.

Well, put your questions, then; so much you score by your oath, But xo abuse, please.