Lucian of Samosata, Vitarum auctio, Emily James Smith (Translator), 7

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Hermes

What do you say to that dirty one from Pontos?

Zeus

By all means.

Hermes

Come here, you with the wallet slung from your shoulder, and the bare arms. Walk round the room. I offer a manly life, a noble and generous life, a free life! Who buys?

Buyer

What do you say, salesman? You offer a free man for sale?

Hermes

I do.

Buyer

Then are you not afraid he will sue you for kidnapping, and bring you before the criminal court?

Hermes

He does not mind being sold at all, for he believes he is free in all circumstances.

Buyer

What use could one put such a dirty, ill-conditioned fellow to, unless you set him to digging or carrying water?

Hermes

Those are not his only uses. If you make a hall-porter of him you will find you can rely on him better than on your dogs; in fact, he has even the name of a dog.

Buyer

Where does he come from and what discipline does he profess?

Hermes

Ask the man himself; that is the better way.

Buyer

I am afraid of him, with his sullen, dark look, lest he should bark and spring at me, and bite me, too, by Zeus! See how he brandishes his club, and knits his brows, and scowls beneath them in that threatening, angry way!

Hermes

Don't be afraid; he is tame.

Vitarum auctio. Lucian of Samosata. Emily James Smith (Translator). Medford, MA. Perseus 5.0.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

The Sale of Lives (English) (Lucian. Selections from Lucian. Smith, Emily James, translator. New York: Harper Brothers, 1892.)

Editions (1)

Βίων Πρᾶσις Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 7 focus

Ἑρμῆς

βούλει τὸν αὐχμῶντα ἐκεῖνον, τὸν Ποντικόν;

Ζεύς

πάνυ μὲν οὖν.

Ἑρμῆς

οὗτος ὁ τὴν πήραν ἐξηρτημένος, ὁ ἐξωμίας, ἐλθὲ καὶ περίιθι ἐν κύκλῳ τὸ συνέδριον. βίον ἀνδρικὸν πωλῶ, βίον ἄριστον καὶ γεννικόν, βίον ἐλεύθερον· τίς ὠνήσεται;

Ἀγοράστης

ὁ κῆρυξ πῶς ἔφης σύ; πωλεῖς τὸν ἐλεύθερον;

Ἑρμῆς

ἔγωγε.

Ἀγοράστης

εἶτʼ οὐ δέδιας μή σοι δικάσηται ἀνδραποδισμοῦ ἢ καὶ προκαλέσηταί σε εἰς Ἄρειον πάγον;

Ἑρμῆς

οὐδὲν αὐτῷ μέλει τῆς πράσεως· οἴεται γὰρ εἶναι παντάπασιν ἐλεύθερος.

Ἀγοράστης

τί δʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ χρήσαιτο ῥυπῶντι καὶ οὕτω κακοδαιμόνως διακειμένῳ; πλὴν εἰ μὴ σκαπανέα γε καὶ ὑδροφόρον αὐτὸν ἀποδεικτέον.

Ἑρμῆς

οὐ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἢν θυρωρὸν αὐτὸν ἐπιστήσῃς, πολὺ πιστοτέρῳ χρήσῃ τῶν κυνῶν. ἀμέλει κύων αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ὄνομα.

Ἀγοράστης

ποδαπὸς δέ ἐστιν ἢ τίνα τὴν ἄσκησιν ἐπαγγέλλεται;

Ἑρμῆς

αὐτὸν ἐροῦ· κάλλιον γὰρ οὕτω ποιεῖν.

Ἀγοράστης

δέδια τὸ σκυθρωπὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ κατηφές, μή με ὑλακτήσῃ προσελθόντα ἢ καὶ νὴ Δία δάκῃ γε. οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὡς διῆρται τὸ ξύλον καὶ συνέσπακε τὰς ὀφρῦς καὶ ἀπειλητικόν τι καὶ χολῶδες ὑποβλέπει;

Ἑρμῆς

μὴ δέδιθι· τιθασὸς γάρ ἐστι.

Translations (2)

Philosophies for Sale Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 7 focus

HERMES

Do you want the dirty one over yonder, from the Black Sea?¹

ZEUS

By all means.

HERMES

You there with the wallet slung about you, you with the sleeveless shirt, come and walk about the room. I offer for sale a manly philosophy, a noble philosophy, a free philosophy; who'll buy?

BUYER

Crier, what’s that you say? Are you selling someone who is free?

HERMES

That I am.

BUYER

Then aren’t you afraid he may have the law on you for kidnapping or even summon you to the Areopagus?

HERMES

He doesn’t mind being sold, for he thinks that he is free anyhow.

BUYER

What use could a man make of him, filthy as he is, and in such a wretched condition? However, he might be made a shoveller or a drawer of water.

HERMES

Not only that, but if you make him doorkeeper, you will find him far more trusty than a dog. In tact, he is even called a dog.²

BUYER

Where is he from, and what creed does he profess?

HERMES

Ask the man himself; it is better to do so.

BUYER

I am afraid of his sullen, hang-dog look; he may bark at me if I go near him, or even bite me, by Zeus! Don’t you see how he has his cudgel poised and his brows bent, and scowls in a threatening, angry way?

HERMES

Don’t be afraid; he is gentle.

Sale of Creeds Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 1. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 7 focus

Heraclitus

What about yonder grubby Pontian¹?

Zeus

Yes, he will do.

Heraclitus

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 Dealer

Hullo, Mr. Auctioneer, are you going to sell a free man?

Heraclitus

That was the idea

Second Dealer

Take care, he may have you up for kidnapping. This might be matter for the Areopagus.

Heraclitus

Oh, he would as soon be sold as not. He feels just as free as ever.

Second Dealer

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.

Heraclitus

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 Dealer

Where does he come from? and what is his method?

Heraclitus

He can best tell you that himself.

Second Dealer

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!

Heraclitus

Don’t be afraid. He is quite tame.

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Hermes What do you say to that dirty one from Pontos?

Zeus By all means.

Hermes Come here, you with the wallet slung from your shoulder, and the bare arms. Walk round the room. I offer a manly life, a noble and generous life, a free life! Who buys?

Buyer What do you say, salesman? You offer a free man for sale?

Hermes I do.

Buyer Then are you not afraid he will sue you for kidnapping, and bring you before the criminal court?

Hermes He does not mind being sold at all, for he believes he is free in all circumstances.

Buyer What use could one put such a dirty, ill-conditioned fellow to, unless you set him to digging or carrying water?

Hermes Those are not his only uses. If you make a hall-porter of him you will find you can rely on him better than on your dogs; in fact, he has even the name of a dog.

Buyer Where does he come from and what discipline does he profess?

Hermes Ask the man himself; that is the better way.

Buyer I am afraid of him, with his sullen, dark look, lest he should bark and spring at me, and bite me, too, by Zeus! See how he brandishes his club, and knits his brows, and scowls beneath them in that threatening, angry way!

Hermes Don't be afraid; he is tame.

Current edition Perseus

Ἑρμῆς βούλει τὸν αὐχμῶντα ἐκεῖνον, τὸν Ποντικόν;

Ζεύς πάνυ μὲν οὖν.

Ἀγοράστης ὁ κῆρυξ πῶς ἔφης σύ; πωλεῖς τὸν ἐλεύθερον;

Ἑρμῆς ἔγωγε.

Ἀγοράστης εἶτʼ οὐ δέδιας μή σοι δικάσηται ἀνδραποδισμοῦ ἢ καὶ προκαλέσηταί σε εἰς Ἄρειον πάγον;

Ἑρμῆς οὐδὲν αὐτῷ μέλει τῆς πράσεως· οἴεται γὰρ εἶναι παντάπασιν ἐλεύθερος.

Ἀγοράστης τί δʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ χρήσαιτο ῥυπῶντι καὶ οὕτω κακοδαιμόνως διακειμένῳ; πλὴν εἰ μὴ σκαπανέα γε καὶ ὑδροφόρον αὐτὸν ἀποδεικτέον.

Ἑρμῆς οὐ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἢν θυρωρὸν αὐτὸν ἐπιστήσῃς, πολὺ πιστοτέρῳ χρήσῃ τῶν κυνῶν. ἀμέλει κύων αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ὄνομα.

Ἀγοράστης ποδαπὸς δέ ἐστιν ἢ τίνα τὴν ἄσκησιν ἐπαγγέλλεται;

Ἑρμῆς αὐτὸν ἐροῦ· κάλλιον γὰρ οὕτω ποιεῖν.

Ἑρμῆς μὴ δέδιθι· τιθασὸς γάρ ἐστι.

HERMES Do you want the dirty one over yonder, from the Black Sea? 1

ZEUS By all means.

HERMES You there with the wallet slung about you, you with the sleeveless shirt, come and walk about the room. I offer for sale a manly philosophy, a noble philosophy, a free philosophy; who'll buy?

BUYER Crier, what’s that you say? Are you selling someone who is free?

HERMES That I am.

BUYER Then aren’t you afraid he may have the law on you for kidnapping or even summon you to the Areopagus?

HERMES He doesn’t mind being sold, for he thinks that he is free anyhow.

BUYER What use could a man make of him, filthy as he is, and in such a wretched condition? However, he might be made a shoveller or a drawer of water.

HERMES Not only that, but if you make him doorkeeper, you will find him far more trusty than a dog. In tact, he is even called a dog. 2

BUYER Where is he from, and what creed does he profess?

HERMES Ask the man himself; it is better to do so.

BUYER I am afraid of his sullen, hang-dog look; he may bark at me if I go near him, or even bite me, by Zeus! Don’t you see how he has his cudgel poised and his brows bent, and scowls in a threatening, angry way?

HERMES Don’t be afraid; he is gentle.

Heraclitus What about yonder grubby Pontian 1 ?

Zeus Yes, he will do.

Heraclitus 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 Dealer Hullo, Mr. Auctioneer, are you going to sell a free man?

Heraclitus That was the idea

Second Dealer Take care, he may have you up for kidnapping. This might be matter for the Areopagus.

Heraclitus Oh, he would as soon be sold as not. He feels just as free as ever.

Second Dealer 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.

Heraclitus 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 Dealer Where does he come from? and what is his method?

Heraclitus He can best tell you that himself.

Second Dealer 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!

Heraclitus Don’t be afraid. He is quite tame.

Stable identifiers

Hermes

What do you say to that dirty one from Pontos?

Zeus

By all means.

Hermes

Come here, you with the wallet slung from your shoulder, and the bare arms. Walk round the room. I offer a manly life, a noble and generous life, a free life! Who buys?

Buyer

What do you say, salesman? You offer a free man for sale?

Hermes

I do.

Buyer

Then are you not afraid he will sue you for kidnapping, and bring you before the criminal court?

Hermes

He does not mind being sold at all, for he believes he is free in all circumstances.

Buyer

What use could one put such a dirty, ill-conditioned fellow to, unless you set him to digging or carrying water?

Hermes

Those are not his only uses. If you make a hall-porter of him you will find you can rely on him better than on your dogs; in fact, he has even the name of a dog.

Buyer

Where does he come from and what discipline does he profess?

Hermes

Ask the man himself; that is the better way.

Buyer

I am afraid of him, with his sullen, dark look, lest he should bark and spring at me, and bite me, too, by Zeus! See how he brandishes his club, and knits his brows, and scowls beneath them in that threatening, angry way!

Hermes

Don't be afraid; he is tame.

Ἑρμῆς

βούλει τὸν αὐχμῶντα ἐκεῖνον, τὸν Ποντικόν;

Ζεύς

πάνυ μὲν οὖν.

Ἀγοράστης

ὁ κῆρυξ πῶς ἔφης σύ; πωλεῖς τὸν ἐλεύθερον;

Ἑρμῆς

ἔγωγε.

Ἀγοράστης

εἶτʼ οὐ δέδιας μή σοι δικάσηται ἀνδραποδισμοῦ ἢ καὶ προκαλέσηταί σε εἰς Ἄρειον πάγον;

Ἑρμῆς

οὐδὲν αὐτῷ μέλει τῆς πράσεως· οἴεται γὰρ εἶναι παντάπασιν ἐλεύθερος.

Ἀγοράστης

τί δʼ ἄν τις αὐτῷ χρήσαιτο ῥυπῶντι καὶ οὕτω κακοδαιμόνως διακειμένῳ; πλὴν εἰ μὴ σκαπανέα γε καὶ ὑδροφόρον αὐτὸν ἀποδεικτέον.

Ἑρμῆς

οὐ μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἢν θυρωρὸν αὐτὸν ἐπιστήσῃς, πολὺ πιστοτέρῳ χρήσῃ τῶν κυνῶν. ἀμέλει κύων αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ὄνομα.

Ἀγοράστης

ποδαπὸς δέ ἐστιν ἢ τίνα τὴν ἄσκησιν ἐπαγγέλλεται;

Ἑρμῆς

αὐτὸν ἐροῦ· κάλλιον γὰρ οὕτω ποιεῖν.

Ἑρμῆς

μὴ δέδιθι· τιθασὸς γάρ ἐστι.

HERMES

Do you want the dirty one over yonder, from the Black Sea?¹

ZEUS

By all means.

HERMES

You there with the wallet slung about you, you with the sleeveless shirt, come and walk about the room. I offer for sale a manly philosophy, a noble philosophy, a free philosophy; who'll buy?

BUYER

Crier, what’s that you say? Are you selling someone who is free?

HERMES

That I am.

BUYER

Then aren’t you afraid he may have the law on you for kidnapping or even summon you to the Areopagus?

HERMES

He doesn’t mind being sold, for he thinks that he is free anyhow.

BUYER

What use could a man make of him, filthy as he is, and in such a wretched condition? However, he might be made a shoveller or a drawer of water.

HERMES

Not only that, but if you make him doorkeeper, you will find him far more trusty than a dog. In tact, he is even called a dog.²

BUYER

Where is he from, and what creed does he profess?

HERMES

Ask the man himself; it is better to do so.

BUYER

I am afraid of his sullen, hang-dog look; he may bark at me if I go near him, or even bite me, by Zeus! Don’t you see how he has his cudgel poised and his brows bent, and scowls in a threatening, angry way?

HERMES

Don’t be afraid; he is gentle.

Heraclitus

What about yonder grubby Pontian¹?

Zeus

Yes, he will do.

Heraclitus

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 Dealer

Hullo, Mr. Auctioneer, are you going to sell a free man?

Heraclitus

That was the idea

Second Dealer

Take care, he may have you up for kidnapping. This might be matter for the Areopagus.

Heraclitus

Oh, he would as soon be sold as not. He feels just as free as ever.

Second Dealer

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.

Heraclitus

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 Dealer

Where does he come from? and what is his method?

Heraclitus

He can best tell you that himself.

Second Dealer

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!

Heraclitus

Don’t be afraid. He is quite tame.