On a time thou didst doubt that there was a certain Euricius in the world, and though thou wert convinced by thine own eyes that the son of my father told the truth to thee, thou hast suspicions now that I have invented Glaucus.

Ah! would that he were only a fiction, that I might go among the Christians with perfect safety, as I went some time since; I would give up for that the poor old slave woman whom I bought, three days since, to care for my advanced age and maimed condition.

But Glaucus is living, lord; and if he had seen me once, thou wouldst not have seen me again, and in that case who would find the maiden ?" Here he was silent again, and began to dry his tears.
"But while Glaucus lives," continued he, "how can I search for her ?--for I may meet him at any step; and if I meet him I shall perish, and with me will cease all my searching." "What art thou aiming at?
What help is there?
What dost thou wish to undertake ?" inquired Vinicius.
"Aristotle teaches us, lord, that less things should be sacrificed for greater, and King Priam said frequently that old age was a grievous burden.

Indeed, the burden of old age and misfortune weighs upon Glaucus this long time, and so heavily that death would be to him a benefit.

For what is death, according to Seneca, but liberation ?" "Play the fool with Petronius, not with me! Tell what thy desire is." "If virtue is folly, may the gods permit me to be a fool all my life.