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296—326] money ever grew to be current among men. This lays cities low, this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest souls till they set themselves to works of shame; this still teaches folk to practise villanies, and to know every godless deed.

But all the men who wrought this thing for hire have made it sure that, soon or late, they shall pay the price. Now, as Zeus still hath my reverence, know this—I tell it thee on my oath:—If ye find not the very author of this burial, and produce him before mine eyes, death alone shall not be enough for you, till first, hung up alive, ye have revealed this outrage,—that henceforth ye may thieve with better knowledge whence lucre should be won, and learn that it is not well to love gain from every source. For thou wilt find that ill-gotten pelf brings more men to ruin than to weal.

. May I speak? Or shall I just turn and go?

. Knowest thou not that even now thy voice offends?

. Is thy smart in the ears, or in the soul?

. And why wouldst thou define the seat of my pain?

. The doer vexes thy mind, but I, thine ears.

. Ah, thou art a born babbler, 'tis well seen.

. May be, but never the doer of this deed.

. Yea, and more,—the seller of thy life for silver.

. Alas! 'Tis sad, truly, that he who judges should misjudge.

. Let thy fancy play with 'judgment' as it will;—but, if ye show me not the doers of these things, ye shall avow that dastardly gains work sorrows.

[Exit.