The Dead Come to Life, or the Fisherman (51-52)

But look here! I see a great number of fish closely alike in colour, spiny and rough-skinned, harder to grasp than sea-urchins.[*] Shall we need a seine for them?

But we haven't any. It will be enough if we land only one out of the school. The one that comes to the hook will of course be the boldest of them.

Let down your line, if you want, but first arm it with iron for some distance, so that he may. not saw it off with his teeth after he has swallowed the gold.

It is down. Poseidon, grant us a quick catch! Aha! _ they are fighting over the bait; some are nibbling the fig in schools and some have taken firm hold of the gold. Good! A very powerful one is on the hook! Come, let me see whose namesake you

Chrysippus here.

I understand: because there was gold in the name, I take it. Well, Chrysippus, in the name of the Goddess of Wisdom tell us, do you know these fellows, and do you advise them to do as they do?

By Zeus, your questions are insulting, Frankness, if you imply that we have anything in common with that sort.

Good, Chrysippus: that is handsome of you. He too shall go head first after the rest, as he is.spiny and there is danger that anyone who should try to eat him might get a hole in his gullet.

Enough of fishing, Frankness. One of them— there are many capable of it—may snatch off the gold and the hook and make away with them, and then you will have to settle with the priestess. So let us go away to take our stroll, and as for you (to the. Philosophers), it is high time you went where you came from, that you may not overstay your leave. Frankness, you and Investigation seek them all out on every hand and either crown or brand them, as I said.

It shall be done, Philosophy. Good-bye, gentlemen. Let us go down into the town, Investigation, and carry out our orders.

Where shall we go first? To the Academy, or to the Porch? Or shall we begin with the Lyceum?

It will make no difference. I am sure, however, that wherever we go we shall need few crowns of olive, but many brands.