human
Be welcome, O brother, but see to it that thou ask us not respecting our condition, nor yet how it is we each lack an eye. Presently the old man brought food and wine, and we ate and drank together, conversing on many things until it was time to sleep. Then one of them called to the old man to bring the materials for penance, and he arose and placed before each a basin full of ashes and powdered charcoal. One and all then bared their arms and blackened their faces with the mixture, crying continually,
gpt
Once we were dwelling in happiness, but now we are wretched; and this is the result of our idle curiosity.
human
O young man, ask not what doth not concern thee, lest thou hear what may not please thee. But I was not content with this answer, and continued to entreat them to tell me the reason of their actions, and also the cause of each having lost an eye.
gpt
Nay, be silent, said another;
human
Yet I still pestered them with my questions, giving them no peace. At length they lost patience, and, after conversing together awhile, one of them said to me:
gpt
O young man, if thou dost above all things desire to know the cause of these things, submit thyself to our hands, and thou shalt learn. And I answered,
human
I desire nothing more than to know;