# Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/The Life of Æsop/Chapter XI

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 ​Sea side with all your Servants and your Trinkets about you, and put on a Countenance, that you are just Now about to make good your Undertaking. You'l have Thousands of Spectators there, and When they are got together, let the Form of the Agreement and the Conditions be read, Which runs to this Effect. That you are to Drink up the Sea by such a Certain Time, or to forfeit your House and Land, upon Such or Such a Consideration. When This is done, call for a Great Glass, and let it be filled with Sea-Water, in the Sight of the Whole Multitude: Hold it up then in your Hand, and say as Follows. You have heard Good People, what I have Undertaken to do, and upon what Penalty if I do not go Through with it. I confess the Agreement, and the Matter of Fact as you have heard it; and I am now about to drink up the Sea; not the Rivers that run into't. And therefore let All the Inlets be Stop't, that there be Nothing but pure Sea left me to drink, And I am now ready to perform my part of the Agreement, But for any drinking of the Rivers, There is nothing of that in the Contract. The People found it so clear a Case, That they did not only agree to the Reason and Justice of Xanthus's Cause, but hissed his Adversary out of the Field; Who in the Conclusion made a Publique Acknowledgment, that Xanthus was the Wiser and Better Man of the Two; But desired the Contract might be made voyd, and offer'd to Submit Himselfe further to such Arbitrators as Xanthus Himselfe should direct. Xanthus was so well pleased with the Character his Adversary had given him, of a Wise Man, That All was Parted over, And a finall End made of the Dispute. Plutarch makes this to have be'n the Invention of Bias.