_First D_. Why then I shall be immortal, and take one shape after another? But enough of this. And now what is your diet? _Py_. Of living things I eat none. All else I eat, except beans. _First D_. And why no beans? Do you dislike them? _Py_. No. But they are sacred things. Their nature is a mystery. Consider them first in their generative aspect; take a green one and peel it, and you will see what I mean. Again, boil one and expose it to moonlight for a proper number of nights, and you have—blood. What is more, the Athenians use beans to vote with. _First D_. Admirable! A very feast of reason. Now just strip, and let me see what you are like. Bless me, here is a creed with a golden thigh! He is no mortal, he is a God. I must have him at any price. What do you start him at? _Her_. Forty pounds. _First D_. He is mine for forty pounds. _Zeus_. Take the gentleman's name and address. _Her_. He must come from Italy, I should think; Croton or Tarentum, or one of the Greek towns in those parts. But he is not the only buyer. Some three hundred of them have clubbed together. _Zeus_. They are welcome to him. Now up with the next. _Her_. What about yonder grubby Pontian? [Footnote: See _Diogenes_ in Notes.] _Zeus_. Yes, he will do. _Her_. You there with the wallet and cloak; come along, walk round the room. Lot No. 2. A most sturdy and valiant creed, free-born. What offers? _Second D_. Hullo, Mr. Auctioneer, are you going to sell a free man? _Her_. That was the idea. _Second D_. Take care, he may have you up for kidnapping. This might be matter for the Areopagus. _Her_. Oh, he would as soon be sold as not. He feels just as free as ever. _Second D_. But what is one to do with such a dirty fellow? He is a pitiable sight. One might put him to dig perhaps, or to carry water. _Her_. That he can do and more. Set him to guard your house, and you will find him better than any watch-dog.—They call him Dog for short. _Second D_. Where does he come from? and what is his method? _Her_. He can best tell you that himself. _Second D_. I don't like his looks. He will probably snarl if I go near him, or take a snap at me, for all I know. See how he lifts his stick, and scowls; an awkward-looking customer! _Her_. Don't be afraid. He is quite tame. _Second D_. Tell me, good fellow, where do you come from? _Dio_. Everywhere. _Second D_. What does that mean? _Dio_. It means that I am a citizen of the world. _Second D_. And your model? _Dio_. Heracles. _Second D_. Then why no lion's-skin? You have the orthodox club. _Dio_. My cloak is my lion's-skin. Like Heracles, I live in a state of warfare, and my enemy is Pleasure; but unlike him I am a volunteer. My purpose is to purify humanity. _Second D_. A noble purpose. Now what do I understand to be your strong subject? What is your profession? _Dio_. The liberation of humanity, and the treatment of the passions. In short, I am the prophet of Truth and Candour.