Page:The Eleven Comedies (1912) Vol 2.djvu/409

Rh

This blind man.

And you are stupid enough not to understand the meaning of such an answer? Why, the god was advising you thereby, and that in the clearest possible way, to bring up your son according to the fashion of your country.

What makes you think that?

Is it not evident to the blind, that nowadays to do nothing that is right is the best way to get on?

No, that is not the meaning of the oracle; there must be another, that is nobler. If this blind man would tell us who he is and why and with what object he has led us here, we should no doubt understand what our oracle really does mean.

Come, tell us at once who you are, or I give effect to my threat. (He menaces him.) And quick too, be quick, I say.

I’ll thrash you.

Ha! is it thus he tells us his name?

’Tis to you and not to me that he replies thus; your mode of questioning him was ill-advised. (To Plutus.) Come, friend, if you care to oblige an honest man, answer me.