“I propose to send an embassy with a handsome present for your great temple. I should like to establish friendly relations with your people at the head-quarters of your race. Do you think it is possible that our Menon—you saw him in the stadium just now—might be allowed to run? It would take all that your athletes know to beat him.”
“Quite impossible. He could hardly make out a Greek pedigree, I suppose?”
“No; he could not do that. But would not money smooth the way?”
“It could not be. Money will do most things with us, as it will elsewhere, but not that. A man must show a pure Greek descent.”
“But the embassy can go?”
“Certainly,” replied the Greek, with a smile; “we are ready to take gifts from any one. But—excuse my obtruding the suggestion—is it quite wise to run counter to your people’s prejudices in this way? Couldn’t they get up an agitation against you?”
“My dear Cleon, I feel quite easy on that score. I made the highest bid for the place, and it is mine, just as much as this ring is mine.”
“But might not some one outbid you? I have heard of such things being done.”
“Outbid me? Hardly. I have squeezed the uttermost farthing out of the people to pay the purchase-money and the tribute, and I defy my rivals, with all the best will in the world, to beat me. Why, my fellows, the tax-gatherers, are the most ingenious rascals in the world for putting on the screw. I make them bid against each other when I put the taxes up to auction, and they really go to figures that I should not have thought possible. And then, after all, they manage somehow or other to get a handsome margin of profit for themselves. I know the scoundrels always seem to have a great deal more money than I have.”
Menander, somewhat revolted at his friend’s levity, rose to take leave. “Stop a moment,” said Jason, [pg 11]“I have a little commission for you, which will give you a pleasant outing and a score or two of shekels to put in your pocket.”