Cap. XI.
Xanthus undertakes to Drink the Sea dry.
THERE happened not Long after This, to be a Merry Meeting of Philoſophers; and Xanthus, one of the Company. Xanthus had alreadie gotten a Cup too much; and Æſop finding they were like to ſet out his hand; Sir, ſays he, 'tis the Humour of Bacchus, they ſay, firſt to make men Cheer full, and when they are paſt That, to make 'em Drunk, and in the Concluſion, to make them Mad. Xanthus took Offence at Æſop; and told him, That was a Lecture for Children. (Laertius makes this to be the ſaying of Anacharſis) The Cupps went round, and Xanthus by this Time had taken his Load, who was mightily given to talk in his Drink; and whatever was uppermoſt, out it came, without either Fear or Wit. One of the Company obſerving the weak ſide of the Man, took the Opportunity of Pumping him with ſeveral Queſtions. Xanthus (ſays he) I have read ſomewhere, that it is Poſſible for a Man to Drink the Sea Dry; but I can hardly believe it. Why ſays Xanthus, I'le venture my Howſe and Land upon't, that I do't my ſelfe. They Agreed upon the Wager, and preſently off went their Rings to Seal the Conditions. But Early the next Morning, Xanthus miſſing his Ring, thought it might be ſlipt off his Finger, and asked Æſop about it. Why truly, ſays Æſop, I can ſay Nothing to the Looſing of your Ring; But I can tell you that you Loſt your Houſe and Land laſt night: and ſo Æſop told him the Story on't, which his Maſter it ſeems had utterly forgotten. Xanthus began now to Chew upon the Matter, and it went to the Heart of him to conſider, That he could neither do the thing, nor yet get quit of his Bonds. In this trouble of Thoughts he Conſults Æſop, (whoſe advice before he had rejected) what was to be done in the Caſe. I ſhall never forget, ſays Xanthus, how much I owe you for your Faithful Services; and ſo with fair Words Æſop was prevailed upon to Undertake the bringing of him off. 'Tis Impoſſible to doe the thing (ſays he) but if I can find a way to Diſſolve the Obligation, and to gaine you Credit by it over and Above, That's the Point I ſuppoſe that will do your buſineſs. The Time appointed, ſays Æſop, is now at hand, Wherefore do you ſet a bold face upon it, and goe to the
