
15 Dec TIMON THE MISANTHROPE (LUCIAN) | Part C’
PLUTUS
Why, you do not suppose they see me in my true shape, lame, blind, and so forth?
HERMES
How else, unless they are all as blind themselves?
PLUTUS
They are not blind, my dear boy; but the ignorant misconceptions now so prevalent obscure their vision. And then I contribute; not to be an absolute fright when they see me, I put on a charming mask, all gilt and jewels, and dress myself up. They take the mask for my face, fall in love with its beauty, and are dying to possess it. If any one were to strip and show me to them naked, they would doubtless reproach themselves for their blindness in being captivated by such an ugly misshapen creature.
HERMES
How about fruition, then? When they are rich, and have put the mask on themselves, they are still deluded; if any one tries to take it off, they would sooner part with their heads than with it;
And it is not likely they do not know by that time that the beauty is adventitious, now that they have an inside view.
PLUTUS
There too I have powerful allies.
HERMES
Namely —?
PLUTUS
When a man makes my acquaintance, and opens the door to let me in, there enter unseen by my side Arrogance, Folly, Vainglory, Effeminacy, Insolence, Deceit, and a goodly company more.
These possess his soul; he begins to admire mean things, pursues what he should abhor, reveres me amid my bodyguard of the insinuating vices which I have begotten, and would consent to anything sooner than part with me.
HERMES
What a smooth, slippery, unstable, evasive fellow you are, Plutus! there is no getting a firm hold of you; you wriggle through one’s fingers somehow, like an eel or a snake.
Poverty is so different — sticky, clinging, all over hooks; any one who comes near her is caught directly, and finds it no simple matter to get clear. But all this gossip has put business out of our heads.
Then we may make our way into Attica.
Hold on to my cloak till I find Timon’s retreat.
Ah, here is Timon close to us; what a steep stony little plot he has got to dig!
Good gracious, I see Poverty and Toil in attendance, Endurance, Wisdom, Courage, and Hunger’s whole company in full force — much more efficient than your guards, Plutus.
POVERTY
Slayer of Argus, whither away, you two hand in hand?
HERMES
Zeus has sent us to Timon here.
POVERTY
Now? What has Plutus to do with Timon now? I found him suffering under Luxury’s treatment, put him in the charge of Wisdom and Toil (whom you see here), and made a good worthy man of him.
Do you take me for such a contemptible helpless creature that you can rob me of my little all? have I perfected him in virtue, only to see Plutus take him, trust him to Insolence and Arrogance, make him as soft and limp and silly as before, and return him to me a worn-out rag again?
HERMES
It is Zeus’s will.
POVERTY
I am off, then. Toil, Wisdom, and the rest of you, quick march! Well, he will realize his loss before long; he had a good help meet in me, and a true teacher; with me he was healthy in body and vigorous in spirit; he lived the life of a man, and could be independent, and see the thousand and one needless refinements in all their absurdity.
HERMES
There they go, Plutus; let us come to him.
TIMON
Who are you, villains? What do you want here, interrupting a hired labourer?
HERMES
Zeus has sent us in answer to your prayers. So knock off work, take your fortune, and much good may it do you!
TIMON
I dare say you are Gods; that shall not save you. I hate every one, man or God; and as for this blind fellow, whoever he may be, I am going to give him one over the head with my spade.
HERMES
Now don’t be foolish, Timon; cease overdoing the ill-tempered boor, hold out your hands, take your luck, and be a rich man again. Have Athens at your feet, and from your solitary eminence you can forget ingratitude.
TIMON
I have no use for you; leave me in peace.
My spade is riches enough for me; for the rest, I am perfectly happy if people will let me alone.
HERMES
A misanthrope you may well be, after the way men have treated you; but with the Gods so thoughtful for you, you need not be a misotheist.
TIMON
Very well, Hermes; I am extremely obliged to you and Zeus for your thoughtfulness — there; but I will not have Plutus.
HERMES
Why, pray?
Part A’: https://www.lecturesbureau.gr/1/timon-the-misanthrope-part-a-1452/?lang=en
Part B’: https://www.lecturesbureau.gr/1/timon-the-misanthrope-part-b-1453/?lang=en
The Works of Lucian of Samosata
Translated by Fowler, H W and F G.