FRANKNESS

See! Here comes another fish that looks like a plate,

The pun here is upon Πλάτων and πλατύς (flat).

as if he were sliced lengthways, a sort of flatfish, opening his mouth for the hook. He has swallowed it; he is caught. Up with him! What is he?

INVESTIGATION

The kind that styles itself Platonic.

FRANKNESS

So you came to get the gold too, confound you? What do vou say, Plato? What are we to do with him?

PLATO

Over the same cliff with him! Let down for another.

FRANKNESS

Ah, I see a very handsome one coming up, as far as can be judged in the deep water; of many colours, with golden stripes on his back.

The Peripatetics were criticized for love of gay clothing and gold.

Do you see him, Investigation?

INVESTIGATION

He is the kind that claims the name of Aristotle.

FRANKNESS

He came up and then swam away again. He is making a careful survey. Now he has come back again; he has opened his mouth; he is caught. Up with him.

ARISTOTLE

Don’t ask me about him, Frankness. I don’t know who he is.

FRANKNESS

Then he too shall go over the cliff, Aristotle.