Page:Fables of Aesop and other eminent mythologists.djvu/29

Rh  by one half in the Afternoon, than it had been in the Morning: And after the next Meal he had Nothing left him to Carry, but an Empty Basket. His Fellow-Slaves began Now to Undertand, that Æop was not o Arrant a Fool as they took him for; and that they Themelves had not half the Wit they Thought they had.

PON the Merchants Arrival at Epheus, he made a quick Riddance of All his Slaves but Three. That is to ay, a Muician, an Orator, and Æop. He dre'd up the Two Former in Habits anwerable to their Profeion, and Carry'd them to Samos, as the Likelyet Place for a Chapman. He shew'd them there in the open Market, with Æop for a Fool betwixt them; which ome People took much offence at. While they were attending upon the Place, there came among other Samians, one Xanthus an Eminent Philoopher of that City, with a Train of his Diciples at his Heels. The Philoopher was mightily pleaed with the Two Youths, and ask’d them one after another about their Profeion, and what they could do. The one told him he could do any thing, the other that he could do ev’ry thing; and this et Æop a laughing at ’em. The Philoophers Pupils would Needs know what it was that made Æop o merry. Why ays he, if the Quetion had been put by your Mater, I hould have told him the reaon of it.

Xanthus in the mean time was beating the Price of the Two other Slaves, but the Terms were o high, that he was jut upon turning about to go his way, Only his Pupils would needs have him put the ame Questions firt to the Ill favour’d Fellow, that he had done to the other Two; and o Xanthus, for the Humour ake, Interrogated Æop what He could do. Nothing at all, ays he. How comes That ays the Philosopher? My Companions, ays the Other, Undertakes every thing, and there’s Nothing left for me to do. This gave them to Undertand, that the Man knew well Enough what he ay’d, and what he Laugh’d at. Well! ays Xanthus, but if I hould give Money for you Now, would you be Good and Honet? I’le be That, ays Æop whether you Rh