11. SERAPION called for a distinction to be made between prophecies made
in general terms, and those which go into details.
12. DIOGENIANUS asked the emblematic import of the frogs on the
Corinthian brazen bowl. SERAPION suggested a reference to the Sun rising
out of water. PHILINUS here detected an intrusion of the Stoic
‘Conflagration’ into the discussion. A casual remark raised the question
of the identity of the sun with Phoebus. ‘They are as different’, said
DIOGENIANUS, ‘as the sun and the moon, only the sun has permanently
eclipsed the God, the sensible, the spiritual.’
13. SERAPION asked a question which the guides had already answered: ‘No
wonder if they are bewildered by our high-flown talk.’
14. The statue of Rhodope, the courtesan, called forth a stern protest
from DIOGENIANUS.
15. THEON, on an appeal from SERAPION, pointed out the greater scandal
of offerings made by Greeks for victories over Greeks.
16. One of the GUIDES reminded the company of the story of Croesus and
the baker-woman.
17. DIOGENIANUS begged that, instead of more anecdotes, the original
question might be discussed: ‘Why has the use of verse in oracular
answers been discontinued?’ The company seated itself in a new position,
and BOETHUS genially remarked on its appropriateness, the place of
origin of the heroic metre.
18. SERAPION congratulated him on his improved tone, and PHILINUS
agreed. Philosophers have dropped verse, yet we do not infer that
Philosophy has died out. PHILINUS agreed.
19-end. THEON spoke to the original question.