THE LIFE OF AESOP

Translated by Sir Roger L'Estrange

CHAPTER IV
The Sale of AEsop to Xanthus

 

Upon the Merchant's arrival at Ephesus, he made a quick Rid-
dance of all his Slaves but three, that is to say, a Musican, an
Orator, and AEsop. He dress'd up the two former in Habits
answerable to their Profession, and carry'd them to Samos, as the
likeliest Place for a Chapman. He shew'd them there in the open
Market, with AEsop for a Fool betwixt them, which some People
took much offence at. While they were attending upon the Place,
there came among other Samians, one Xanthus, an eminent Philo-
sopher of that City, with a Train of his Disciples at his Heels. The
Philosopher was mightily pleased with the two Youths, and ask'd
them one after another about their Profession, and what they
could do. The one told him he could do any thing, the other that
he could do every thing; this set AEsop a laughing at 'em. The
Philosopher's Pupils would needs know what it was that made
AEsop so merry. Why, says he, if the Question had been put by
your Master, I should have told him the reason of it.
  Xanthus in the mean time was beating down the Price of the
two other Slaves, but the Terms were so high, that he was just
upon turning about to go his way, only the Pupils would needs
have him put the same Questions first to the ill-favour'd Fellow,
that he had done to the other two; and so Xanthus, for the Humour
sake, interrogated AEsop what he could do. Nothing at all, says he.
How comes that, says the Philosopher? My Companions, says the
other, undertake every thing, and there's nothing left for me to
do. This gave them to understand, that the Man knew well enough
what he said, and what he laugh'd at. Well! says Xanthus, but if
I should give Money for you now, would you be good and honest?
I'll be that, says AEsop, whether you buy me or no. Ay, but tell
me again, says the Philosopher, wont you run away? Pray, says
AEsop, did you ever hear of a Bird in a Cage, that told his Master
he intended to make his escape. Xanthus was well enough pleased
with the Turn and Quickness of his Wit; but, says he, That unlucky
Shape of your's will set People a hooting and a gaping at you
where-ever you go. A Philosopher, says AEsop, should value a Man
for his Mind, not for his Body. This Presence of Thought gave
Xanthus a high Opinion of the Wisdom of the Man; and so he bade
the Merchant set him his lowest Price of that miserable Creature.
Why, says he, you had as good cheapen a Dunghil; but if you'll
bid me like a Chapman for either of the other two, you shall have
this Phantome into the Bargain. Very good, says the Philosopher;
and without any more ado, what's your selling Price? The Mer-
chant speaks the Word, the Philosopher pays the Money, and takes
AEsop away with him.

 

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