Chr. Go to, now, friend: suppose you had your sight
As heretofore—say, wouldst thenceforth avoid
All knaves and rascals?
Pl. Yea, I swear I would.
Chr. And seek the honest?
Pl. Ay, and gladly too,
For 'tis a long time since I saw their faces.
Chr. No marvel—I have eyes, and cannot see them.
Plutus is very unwilling to accompany Ms new friend home, though Chremylus assures him that he is a man of unusual probity. "All men say that," is the god's reply; "but the moment they get hold of me, their probity goes to the winds." Besides, he is afraid of Jove. Chremylus cries out against him for a coward. "Would the sovereignty of Jove be worth three farthings' purchase, but for him? What do men offer prayer and sacrifice to Jove himself for, but for money? Money is the true ruler, alike of gods and men. "I myself," puts in Cario, "should not now be another gentleman's property, as I am, but for the fact of my master here having a little more money than I had." All arts and handicrafts, all inventions good or evil, have this one source—both master and man (for Cario is very forward in giving his opinion) agree in protesting; while the god listens to what he declares is, to his simpler mind, a new revelation:—
Car. Is't not your fault the Persian grows so proud?
Chr. Do not men go to Parliament through you?
Car. Who swells the navy estimates, but you?
Chr. Who subsidises foreigners, but you?
Car. For want of you our friend there goes to jail.
