A thunder of applause greeted the entry of Prometheus; he mounted the steps of the platform, placed his eagle at the side of him, and pulled himself together. In the hall there was a palpitating silence.... THE PETITIO PRINCIPII --Gentlemen, began Prometheus, I do not pretend, alas! to interest you by what I am about to say, so I was careful to bring this eagle with me. After each tiresome part of my lecture he will play some tricks. I have also with me some indecent photographs and some fireworks, with which when I reach the most serious moments of my lecture I will try to distract the attention of the public. Thus, I dare to hope, gentlemen, for some attention. At each new head of my discourse I shall have the honour, gentlemen, to ask you to watch the eagle eating his dinner,--for, gentlemen, my discourse has three heads; I did not think it proper to reject this form, which is agreeable to my classical mind.--This being the exordium, I will tell you at once and without more ado, the first two heads of the discourse: First head: One must have an eagle. Second head: In any case, we all have one. Fearing that you will accuse me of prejudice, gentlemen; fearing also to interfere with my liberty of thought, I have prepared my lecture only up to that point; the third head will naturally unfold from the other two. I will let inspiration have all its own way.--As conclusion, the eagle, gentlemen, will make the collection. --Bravo! Bravo! cried Cocles. Prometheus drank a little water. The eagle pirouetted three times round Prometheus and then bowed. Prometheus looked round the hall, smiled at Damocles and at Cocles, and as no sign of restlessness was as yet shown he kept the fireworks for later on, and continued: V --However clever a rhetorician I may be gentlemen, in the presence of such perspicacious minds as yours I cannot juggle away the inevitable _petitio principii_ which awaits me at the beginning of this lecture. Gentlemen, try as we may, we cannot escape the _petitio principii_. Now; what is a petition of principles? Gentlemen, I dare to say it: Every _petitio principii_ is an affirmation of temperament; for where principles are missing, there the temperament is affirmed. When I declare: You must have an eagle you may all exclaim: Why?--Now, what answer can I make in reply that will not bring us back to that formula, which is the affirmation of my temperament: I do not love men: I love that which devours them. Temperament, gentlemen, is that which must affirm itself. A fresh _petitio principii_, you will say. But I have demonstrated that every _petitio principii_ is an affirmation of temperament; and as I say one must affirm one’s temperament (for it is important), I repeat: I do not love men: I love that which devours them.--Now what devours man?--His eagle. Therefore, gentlemen, one must have an eagle. I think I have fully demonstrated this.