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THESE and such like things, O Quintus! when Epicurus had spoken, before any person could return an
answer, while we were busy at the farther end of the portico,1 he flung away in great haste. However, we could
not but in some measure admire at the odd behavior of the
man, though without taking any farther notice of it in
words; and therefore, after we had gazed a while one upon
another, we returned to walk as we were singled out in company before. At this time Patrocleas first breaking silence,
How say ye, gentlemen? said he: if you think fitting, why
may not we discuss this question of the last proposer as
well in his absence as if he were present? To whom
Timon replying, Surely, said he, it would but ill become
us, if at us he aimed upon his departure, to neglect the
arrow sticking in our sides. For Brasidas, as history reports, drawing forth the javelin out of his own body, with
the same javelin not only wounded him that threw it, but
slew him outright. But as for ourselves, we surely have no
need to revenge ourselves on them that pelt us with absurd
and fallacious reasonings; but it will be sufficient that we
shake them off before our opinion has taken hold of them.
Then, said I, which of his sayings is it that has given you
the greatest cause to be moved? For the man dragged
into his discourse many things confusedly, and nothing in
[p. 141]
order; but gleaning up and down from this and the other
place, as it were in the transports of his wrath and scurrility, he then poured the whole in one torrent of abuse
upon the providence of God.
1 The scene of the dialogue is laid in the temple of Delphi. (G.)
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