--There, you see, said Cocles, coming down the stairs, the fate of a
man who has grown rich by another’s suffering.
--But is it true that you suffer? asked Prometheus.
--From my eye occasionally, said Cocles, but from the blow, no more; I
prefer to have received it. It does not burn any more; it has revealed
to me my goodness. I am flattered by it; I am pleased about it. I never
cease to think that my pain was useful to my neighbour and that it
brought him £20.
--But the neighbour is dying of it, Cocles, said Prometheus.
--Did you not tell him that one must nourish one’s eagle? What do you
expect? Damocles and I never could understand each other, our points of
view are entirely opposed.
Prometheus said good-bye to Cocles and ran to the house of Zeus, the
banker.
--For goodness’ sake, show yourself! he said, or at least make yourself
known. The miserable man is dying. I could understand your killing him
since that is your pleasure; but let him know at least who it is that
is killing him--that he may be at peace.
The Miglionaire replied:--I do not wish to lose my prestige.
V
The end of Damocles was admirable; he pronounced a little while before
his last hour some words which drew tears from the most unbelieving and
made pious people say: How edifying! The most notable sentiment was the
one expressed so well in these words: I hope at any rate that he will
not have felt the loss of it.
--Who? asked some one.
--He, said Damocles, dying; he who gave me ... something.
--No! it was Providence, cleverly replied the waiter.
Damocles died after hearing these comforting words.