ell out a poet in their
midst, he would arouse the whole neighborhood and involve all of us in
the same misunderstanding!" Giton, who was one of the gentlest of lads,
took me to task for having spoken in that manner, denying that I did
rightly in criticising my elders and at the same time forgetting my
duties as host by offering an affront to one whom I had invited out of
kindness. And much more, full of moderation and propriety, which was in
exquisite keeping with his good looks.

CHAPTER THE NINETY-FOURTH.

"Happy the mother," cried Eumolpus, "who bore such a son as you! May
your fortune be in keeping with your merit! Beauty and wisdom are rarely
found mixed! And that you may not think that all your words are wasted,
know that you have found a lover! I will fill my verses with your
praise! I will act as your guardian and your tutor, following you even
when you bid me stay behind! Nor can Encolpius take offense, he loves
another." The soldier who took my sword from me did Eumolpus a good
turn, too; otherwise, the rage which I had felt against Ascyltos would
have been quenched in the blood of Eumolpus. Seeing what was in the wind,
Giton slipped out of the room, pretending he was going after water, and
by this diplomatic retreat he put an end to my fury. Then, as my anger
cooled, little by little, "Eumolpus," I said, "rather than have you
entertain designs of such a nature, I would even prefer to have you
spouting poetry! I am hot-tempered and you are lecherous; see how
uncongenial two such dispositions must be! Take me for a maniac, humor
my malady: in other words, get out quick!" Taken completely aback by
this onslaught, Eumolpus crossed the threshold of the room without
stopping to ask the reason for my wrath, and immediately slammed the door
shut, penning me in, as I was not looking for any move of that kind then,
having quickly removed the key, he hurried away in search of Giton.
Finding that I was locked in, I decided to hang myself, and had already
fastened my belt to the bedstead which stood alongside of the wall, and
was engaged in fastening the noose around my neck, when the doors were
unlocked and Eumolpus came in with Giton, recalling me to light when I
was just about to turn the fatal goal-post! Giton was greatly wrought up
and his grief turned to fury: seizing me with both hands, he threw me
upon the bed. "If you think, Encolpius," he shrieked, "that you can
contrive to die before I do,