CHREMYLUS. That is absolutely true, although your tongue is very vile. But it matters not, so don't put on those triumphant airs; you shall not be punished any the less for having tried to persuade me that poverty is worth more than wealth. POVERTY. Not being able to refute my arguments, you chatter at random and exert yourself to no purpose. CHREMYLUS. Then tell me this, why does all mankind flee from you? POVERTY. Because I make them better. Children do the very same; they flee from the wise counsels of their fathers. So difficult is it to see one's true interest. CHREMYLUS. Will you say that Zeus cannot discern what is best? Well, he takes Plutus to himself ... BLEPSIDEMUS. ... and banishes Poverty to earth. POVERTY. Ah me! how purblind you are, you old fellows of the days of Saturn! Why, Zeus is poor, and I will clearly prove it to you. In the Olympic games, which he founded, and to which he convokes the whole of Greece every four years, why does he only crown the victorious athletes with wild olive? If he were rich he would give them gold. CHREMYLUS. 'Tis in that way he shows that he clings to his wealth; he is sparing with it, won't part with any portion of it, only bestows baubles on the victors and keeps his money for himself. POVERTY. But wealth coupled to such sordid greed is yet more shameful than poverty. CHREMYLUS. May Zeus destroy you, both you and your chaplet of wild olive! POVERTY. Thus you dare to maintain that poverty is not the fount of all blessings! CHREMYLUS. Ask Hecaté[775] whether it is better to be rich or starving; she will tell you that the rich send her a meal every month and that the poor make it disappear before it is even served. But go and hang yourself and don't breathe another syllable. I will not be convinced against my will. POVERTY. "Oh! citizens of Argos! do you hear what he says?"[776] CHREMYLUS. Invoke Pauson, your boon companion, rather.[777] POVERTY. Alas! what is to become of me? CHREMYLUS. Get you gone, be off quick and a pleasant journey to you. POVERTY. But where shall I go? CHREMYLUS. To gaol; but hurry up, let us put an end to this. POVERTY. One day you will recall me. CHREMYLUS. Then you can return; but disappear for the present. I prefer to be rich; you are free to knock your head against the walls in your rage. BLEPSIDEMUS. And I too welcome wealth. I want, when I leave the bath all perfumed with essences, to feast bravely with my wife and children and to break wind in the faces of toilers and Poverty. CHREMYLUS. So that hussy has gone at last! But let us make haste to put Plutus to bed in the Temple of Aesculapius. BLEPSIDEMUS. Let us make haste; else some bothering fellow may again come to interrupt us. CHREMYLUS. Cario, bring the coverlets and all that I have got ready from the house; let us conduct the god to the Temple, taking care to observe all the proper rites. CHORUS. [_Missing._][778]