Book 8

Cnemon: Why,’tis the proverb fulfilled! The fawn hath taken the lion.

Damasias: What’s the matter, Cnemon?

Cnemon: The matter! I have been fooled, miserably fooled. I have passed over all whom I should have liked to make my heirs, and left my money to the wrong man.

Damasias: How was that?

Cnemon: I had been speculating on the death of Hermolaus, the millionaire. He had no children, and my attentions had been well received by him. I thought it would be a good idea to let him know that I had made my will in his favour, on the chance of its exciting his emulation.

Damasias: Yes; and Hermolaus?

Cnemon: What his will was, I don’t know. I died suddenly,— the roof came down about my ears; and now Hermolaus is my heir The pike has swallowed hook and bait.

Damasias: And your anglership into the bargain. The pit that you digged for other....

Cnemon: That’s about the truth of the matter, confound it.

Francis George Fowler