This is the picture of _Cleon_ given in the opening scene of the play. In the next scene we find him reclining upon a luxurious couch in his palatial apartment. Enter his old friend and teacher, _Diagoras_, who has come from Athens to visit him. _Diagoras_ is amazed to see the lavish richness and splendor of the house and the room. When _Cleon_ asks him politely to sit down, he answers that he cannot, for he does not see any seat! _Cleon_ cries out that he thinks that _Diagoras_ must have lost his eyes, and points out that there is in the room a fair choice among some thirty different kinds of couches--couches of the Phrygian and of the Grecian pattern, and many other kinds. _Diagoras_ is astonished when told that these beds adorned with pearls and gold are made to sit on; he is, he says, a simple man, used to plain things, and begs the pardon of _Cleon_ if he has been unappreciative. _Cleon_ thinks that behind this excuse his old teacher is displeased with him; but, as it is, there is no choice between two evils: either _Diagoras_ must rest his philosophic feet upon that most profanely glittering floor which is all inlaid with gems, or he must rest himself upon one of those rich beds. _Cleon_ perceives that this jesting way of speaking is giving pain to his good master, who should have known of old the reckless tongue of _Cleon_. He assures _Diagoras_ of a hearty welcome and begs him to sit down that they may have a long visit. _Diagoras_ thereupon is made to recline upon one of the couches. He proceeds to tell the cause of his disappointment in his pupil. He has heard that _Cleon_ is the common talk of the city on account of his evil ways, his rioting and his luxuriousness. He has heard that his former pupil has become the companion of the very dross and dregs of all mankind. _Cleon_ interposes, and asks if _Diagoras_ means by the “dross and dregs” the Emperor Nero. _Diagoras_ will not answer directly, but assures him that this is the tale that he has heard about him. He exclaims: Is this the Athenian Cleon, is this he Who drank philosophy and worshiped virtue? This he who triumphed in the Olympian race Followed by wondering eyes?... Rememberest thou the glory of those days? he asks. _Diagoras_ succeeds in calling the soul of _Cleon_ back from the downward path that it is following. At last _Cleon_ exclaims that it has been only a curse to him to have had so much wealth; he has striven desperately to satisfy himself with the things that satisfy the common crowd, but he has not succeeded.