As best he may the truth of men by help of words

They please to speak, must fare at will of who affords

The banquet,"—so I thought. "Who sees not, hears and so

Gets to believe; myself it is that, seeing, know,

And, knowing, can dispense with voice and vanity

Of speech. What hinders then, that, drawing closer, I

Put privilege to use, see and know better still

These simulacra, taste the profit of my skill,

Down in the midst?"

XCIX