Reader

MENELAUS I’m willing to believe you turn into water, Proteus, since you come from the sea, and I can even put up with your becoming a tree, and even your changing into a lion is not quite beyond the bounds of belief—but that you can actually become fire, although you live in the sea, I find quite amazing and incredible. PROTEUS Well you mustn’t, Menelaus, for it’s true enough. MENELAUS I saw it with my own eyes. But I’ll tell you what I think. I think it’s all a trick, and you cheat the eyes of the onlookers, and don’t turn into any of these things.

PROTEUS How could there be any deception when everything’s so clearly visible? Weren’t your eyes open when you saw all my changes? If you don’t believe it, and think it’s all a fraud and an optical illusion, just try touching me with your hand, my fine fellow, when I turn myself into fire. That will teach you whether I’m only to be seen with the eyes or can burn as well. MENELAUS That would be dangerous, Proteus. PROTEUS I don’t suppose you’ve ever seen an octopus, Menelaus, or know what happens to that sort of fish? MENELAUS I have seen one, but please tell me what happens to it.

PROTEUS Whenever it goes to a rock and puts its suckers on it, clinging tight with the full length of its arms, it makes itself just like that rock, changing its colour to match it; thus it escapes the notice of fishermen, by blending with its surroundings, thereby remaining inconspicuous and looking just like the stone. MENELAUS So people say. But your goings on, Proteus, are much harder to believe. PROTEUS I don’t know what else will convince you, Menelaus, if you won’t believe your own eyes. MENELAUS I admit I saw it. But it’s quite miraculous for one and the same person to be fire and water.