"You were the most generous of monarchs," cried Phanes.
"And make a tolerably contented beggar," answered Croesus. "But tell me,
Phryxus, how much has Amasis contributed to your collection?"
"He gave fifty tons of alum."
"A royal gift!"
"And the prince Psamtik?"
"On my appealing to him by his father's munificence, he turned his back on me, and answered with a bitter laugh: 'Collect money for the destruction of your temple, and I am ready to double my father's donation!'"
"The wretch!"
"Say rather: the true Egyptian! to Psamtik everything foreign is an abomination."
"How much have the Greeks in Naukratis contributed?"
"Beside munificent private donations, each community has given twenty minae."