I once believed the Gorgons fabulous: But in the agora quickly changed my creed, And turn'd almost to stone, the pests beholding Standing behind the fish stalls. Forced I am To look another way when I accost them, Lest if I saw the fish they ask so much for, I should at once grow marble.—J. A. ST. JOHN. _The same._ I must confess that hitherto I deem'd The Gorgons a mere fable, but just now I stepp'd into the fish-market, and there I saw, at once, the dread reality; And I was petrified, indeed, so much, That, to converse with them, I turn'd my back For fear of being turn'd to stone; they ask'd A price so high and so extravagant For a poor despicable paltry fish.—ANON. * * * * * AMPHIS. (Book vi. § 5, p. 356.) The general of an army is at least A thousand times more easy of access, And you may get an answer quicker too Than from these cursed fishmongers: ask them The price of their commodity, they hold A wilful silence, and look down with shame, Like Telephus; with reason good; for they Are, one and all, without exception, A set of precious scoundrels. Speak to one, He'll measure you from top to toe, then look Upon his fish, but still no answer give. Turn o'er a polypus, and ask another The price, he soon begins to swell and chafe, And mutters out half-words between his teeth, But nothing so distinct that you may learn His real meaning—so many oboli; But then the number you are still to guess, The syllable is wilfully suppress'd, Or left half utter'd. This you must endure, And more, if you attend the fish-market.—ANON. _The same._ Ten thousand times more easy 'tis to gain Admission to a haughty general's tent, And have discourse of him, than in the market Audience to get of a cursed fishmonger. If you draw near and say, How much, my friend, Costs _this_ or _that_?—No answer. Deaf you think The rogue must be, or stupid; for he heeds not A syllable you say, but o'er his fish Bends silently, like Telephos (and with good reason, For his whole race he knows are cut-throats all). Another minding not, or else not hearing, Pulls by the legs a polypus. A third With saucy carelessness replies: "Four oboli, That's just the price. For this no less than eight. Take it or leave it!"—J. A. ST. JOHN. * * * * * ALEXIS. (Book vi. § 5, p. 356.)