--But understand me for pity’s sake! The pity I claim from you is not simply a compress on my forehead, a bowl of fresh water, a soothing drink; it is to understand me. Help me to understand myself, for pity’s sake! _This_ which has come to me from I know not where, to whom do I owe it? to whom?? to Whom??--And, in order to cease one day from owing it one day, believing, I made with _this_ a present to others! To others!!--to Cocles--the gift of an eye!! but it is not yours, that eye, Cocles! Cocles!! give it back. Give it back, but to whom? to whom? to Whom?? Not wishing to hear more, Cocles and Prometheus went away. IV --There, you see, said Cocles, coming down the stairs, the fate of a man who has grown rich by another’s suffering. --But is it true that you suffer? asked Prometheus. --From my eye occasionally, said Cocles, but from the blow, no more; I prefer to have received it. It does not burn any more; it has revealed to me my goodness. I am flattered by it; I am pleased about it. I never cease to think that my pain was useful to my neighbour and that it brought him £20. --But the neighbour is dying of it, Cocles, said Prometheus. --Did you not tell him that one must nourish one’s eagle? What do you expect? Damocles and I never could understand each other, our points of view are entirely opposed. Prometheus said good-bye to Cocles and ran to the house of Zeus, the banker. --For goodness’ sake, show yourself! he said, or at least make yourself known. The miserable man is dying. I could understand your killing him since that is your pleasure; but let him know at least who it is that is killing him--that he may be at peace. The Miglionaire replied:--I do not wish to lose my prestige. V The end of Damocles was admirable; he pronounced a little while before his last hour some words which drew tears from the most unbelieving and made pious people say: How edifying! The most notable sentiment was the one expressed so well in these words: I hope at any rate that he will not have felt the loss of it. --Who? asked some one. --He, said Damocles, dying; he who gave me ... something. --No! it was Providence, cleverly replied the waiter. Damocles died after hearing these comforting words. THE FUNERAL --Oh! said Prometheus to Cocles, leaving the chamber of death,--all that is horrible! The death of Damocles upsets me. Is it true that my lecture can have been the cause of his illness? --I cannot say, said the waiter, but I know that at any rate he was greatly moved by all that you said of your eagle. --Of our eagle, replied Cocles. --I was so convinced, said Prometheus. --That is why you convinced him.... Your words were very strong. --I thought that no one paid any attention and I insisted.... If I had known that he would listen so attentively.... --What would you have said? --The same thing, stammered Prometheus. --Then? --But I would not say the same thing now. --Are you no longer convinced?