But he, Petronius, did not believe in Asklepios.

It was not known even whose son that Asklepios was, the son of Arsinoe or Koronis; and if the mother was doubtful, what was to be said of the father?
Who, in that time, could be sure who his own father was?
Hereupon Petronius began to laugh; then he continued,--"Two years ago, it is true, I sent to Epidaurus three dozen live blackbirds and a goblet of gold; but dost thou know why?
I said to myself, 'Whether this helps or not, it will do me no harm.' Though people make offerings to the gods yet, I believe that all think as I do,--all, with the exception, perhaps, of mule-drivers hired at the Porta Capena by travellers.
Besides Asklepios, I have had dealings with sons of Asklepios.

When I was troubled a little last year in the bladder, they performed an incubation for me.

I saw that they were tricksters, but I said to myself: 'What harm! The world stands on deceit, and life is an illusion.
The soul is an illusion too.

But one must have reason enough to distinguish pleasant from painful illusions.' I shall give command to burn in my hypocaustum, cedar-wood sprinkled with ambergris, for during life I prefer perfumes to stenches.