RICHES 
Do you suppose they see me as I am, lame and
blind and with all my other bad points ?


 

 HERMES 
But how can they help it, Riches, unless they
themselves are all blind ?
 RICHES 
They are not blind, good friend, but Ignorance
and Deceit, who now hold sway everywhere, darken
their vision. Moreover, to avoid being wholly ugly,
I always put on a very lovely mask, gay with tinscl
and jewels, and an embroidered robe before I meet
them ; whereupon, thinking that they sce my beauty
face to face, they fall in love with me and despair
of life if they do not win me. If anyone’ should
strip me and show me to them, without a doubt
they would reproach themselves for being shortsighted to that extent and for falling in love with
things hateful and ugly.