consider, if I must tell you so, as a myth. Antiquity is
mostly mythical. Jupiter, if we give a little attention to
it, is life. Alcides is strength. The words are there to
bear me out; Zeus, that is, zen, to live. Alcides, that is,
alce, vigor. Well, Epicurus, that is mild watchfulness, that
is protection; now who watches better over the state, or who
protects individuals better than M. Fouquet does?”
“You talk etymology and not morality; I say that we modern
Page 343
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
Epicureans are indifferent citizens.”
“Oh!” cried La Fontaine, “if we become bad citizens, it is
not through following the maxims of our master. Listen to
one of his principal aphorisms.”
“I — will.”
“Pray for good leaders.”
“Well?”
“Well! what does M. Fouquet say to us every day? `When shall
we be governed?’ Does he say so? Come, Conrart, be frank.”
“He says so, that is true.”
“Well, that is a doctrine of Epicurus.”
“Yes; but that is a little seditious, observe.”
“What! seditious to wish to be governed by good heads or
leaders?”
“Certainly, when those who govern are bad.”
“Patience, I have a reply for all.”
“Even for what I have just said to you?”
“Listen! would you submit to those who govern ill? Oh! it is
written: Cacos politeuousi. You grant me the text?”
“Pardieu! I think so. Do you know, you speak Greek as well
as AEsop did, my dear La Fontaine.”
“Is there any wickedness in that, my dear Conrart?”
“God forbid I should say so.”
“Then let us return to M. Fouquet. What did he repeat to us
all the day? Was it not this? `What a cuistre is that
Mazarin! what an ass! what a leech! We must, however, submit
to the fellow.’ Now, Conrart, did he say so, or did he not?”
“I confess that he said it, and even perhaps too often.”
“Like Epicurus, my friend, still like Epicurus; I repeat, we
are Epicureans, and that is very amusing.”
“Yes, but I am afraid there will rise up, by the side of us,
a sect like that of Epictetus, you know him well; the
philosopher of Hieropolis, he who called bread luxury,
vegetables prodigality, and clear water drunkenness; he who,
being beaten by his master, said to him, grumbling a little
it is true, but without being angry, `I will lay a wager you
have broken my leg!’ — and who won his wager.”
“He was a goose, that fellow Epictetus.”
“Granted, but he might easily become the fashion by only
changing his name into that of Colbert.”
“Bah!” replied La Fontaine, “that is impossible. Never will
Page 344
Dumas, Alexandre – Ten Years Later
you find Colbert in Epictetus.”
“You are right, I shall find — Coluber there, at the most.”
“Ah! you are beaten, Conrart; you are reduced to a play upon
words. M. Arnaud pretends that I have no logic; I have more
than M. Nicolle.”
“Yes,” replied Conrart, “you have logic, but you are a
Jansenist.”
This peroration was hailed with a boisterous shout of
laughter; by degrees the promenaders had been attracted by
the exclamations of the two disputants around the arbor
under which they were arguing. The discussion had been
religiously listened to, and Fouquet himself, scarcely able
to suppress his laughter, had given an example of
moderation. But with the denouement of the scene he threw
off all restraint, and laughed aloud. Everybody laughed as
he did, and the two philosophers were saluted with unanimous
felicitations. La Fontaine, however, was declared conqueror,
on account of his profound erudition and his irrefragable
logic. Conrart obtained the compensation due to an
unsuccessful combatant; he was praised for the loyalty of
his intentions, and the purity of his conscience.
At the moment when this jollity was manifesting itself by
the most lively demonstrations, when the ladies were
reproaching the two adversaries with not having admitted
women into the system of Epicurean happiness, Gourville was
seen hastening from the other end of the garden, approaching
Fouquet, and detaching him, by his presence alone, from the
group. The superintendent preserved on his face the smile
and character of carelessness; but scarcely was he out of