Which of the sides to range him well,
So versed in both, we cannot tell.[81]
For he is one that offers as well the first-fruits of his fishery to
Dictynna, as of his forest spoils to Diana; so that it is apparent
he comes among us as one that intends not to be partial to one side
more than the other; or else our conjecture is amiss, dear Optatus,
that your design is only to be an impartial umpire between these young
gentlemen.
OPTATUS. You conjecture very truly, Autobulus. For the ancient law of
Solon is out of date, that punished those who stood neuters and refused
to adhere to either side.
AUTOBULUS. Seat yourself then here by us, that if there should be any
occasion for a testimony, we may not be troubled to run to Aristotle’s
writings, but acquiescing in your experience, may give our suffrages
according to what you aver for truth.
OPTATUS. Go to then, young gentlemen: are ye agreed upon the method and
order of the dispute?
PHAEDIMUS. Truly, worthy Soclarus, that very thing occasioned a great
debate among us; but at length, according to that of Euripides,
The child of Fortune, Chance, the point agreed,
And fixed the method how we should proceed,
by giving the precedence to the land animals to plead their cause
before marine creatures.
SOCLARUS. Then, Aristotimus, it is high time for you to speak and for
us to hear.
9. ARISTOTIMUS. The court is open to all concerned in the
controversy.... Others there are that kill their young ones by leaping
the females at the very instant of their bringing forth. There are a
sort of mullets, called pardiae, that feed upon their own slime. But
the polypus sits all the winter feeding upon itself,