_Zenophantus. Callidemides_
_Ze_. Ah, Callidemides, and how did _you_ come by your end? As for me,
I was free of Dinias's table, and there died of a surfeit; but that is
stale news; you were there, of course.
_Cal_. Yes, I was. Now there was an element of surprise about _my_
fate. I suppose you know that old Ptoeodorus?
_Ze_. The rich man with no children, to whom you gave most of your
company?
_Cal_. That is the man; he had promised to leave me his heir, and I
used to show my appreciation. However, it went on such a time; Tithonus
was a juvenile to him; so I found a short cut to my property. I bought
a potion, and agreed with the butler that next time his master called
for wine (he is a pretty stiff drinker) he should have this ready in a
cup and present it; and I was pledged to reward the man with his
freedom.
_Ze_. And what happened? this is interesting.
_Cal_. When we came from bath, the young fellow had two cups ready, one
with the poison for Ptoeodorus, and the other for me; but by some
blunder he handed me the poisoned cup, and Ptoeodorus the plain; and
behold, before he had done drinking, there was I sprawling on the
ground, a vicarious corpse! Why are you laughing so, Zenophantus? I am
your friend; such mirth is unseemly.
_Ze_. Well, it was such a humorous exit. And how did the old man
behave?
_Cal_. He was dreadfully distressed for the moment; then he saw, I
suppose, and laughed as much as you over the butler's trick.
_Ze_. Ah, short cuts are no better for you than for other people, you
see; the high road would have been safer, if not quite so quick.