CLEON
　　Isitpossible，Demos，toloveyoumorethanIdo？Andfirstly，aslongasyouhavegovernedwithmyconsent，haveInotfilledyourtreasury，puttingpressureonsome，torturingothersorbeggingofthem，indifferenttotheopinionofprivateindividuals，andsolelyanxioustopleaseyou？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Thereisnothingsowonderfulinallthat，Demos；Iwilldoasmuch；Iwillthievethebreadofotherstoserveuptoyou。No，hehasneitherloveforyounorkindlyfeeling；hisonlycareistowarmhimselfwithyourwood，andIwillproveit。You，who，swordinhand，savedAtticafromtheMedianyokeatMarathon；you，whoseglorioustriumphswelovetoextolunceasingly，look，hecareslittlewhetherheseesyouseateduncomfortablyuponastone；
　　whereasI，Ibringyouthiscushion，whichIhavesewnwithmyownhands。Riseandtrythisnicesoftseat。DidyounotputenoughstrainonyourbottomatSalamis？
　　（HegivesDEMOSthecushion；DEMOSsitsonit。）
　　DEMOS
　　Whoareyouthen？CanyoubeoftheraceofHarmodius？Uponmyfaith，thatisnoblydoneandlikeatruefriendofDemos。
　　CLEON
　　Pettyflatterytoprovehimyourgoodwill！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Butyouhavecaughthimwithevensmallerbaits！
　　CLEON
　　NeverhadDemosadefenderorafriendmoredevotedthanmyself；
　　onmyhead，onmylife，Iswearit！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Youpretendtolovehimandforeightyearsyouhaveseenhimhousedincasks，increvicesanddovecots，whereheisblindedwiththesmoke，andyoulockhiminwithoutpity；Archeptolemusbroughtpeaceandyoutoreittoribbons；theenvoyswhocometoproposeatruceyoudrivefromthecitywithkicksintheirarses。
　　CLEON
　　ThepurposeofthisisthatDemosmayruleoveralltheGreeks；
　　fortheoraclespredictthat，ifheispatient，hemustonedaysitasjudgeinArcadiaatfiveobolsperday。Meanwhile，Iwillnourishhim，lookafterhimand，aboveall，Iwillensuretohimhisthreeobols。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，littleyoucareforhisreigninginArcadia，it’stopillageandimposeonthealliesatwillthatyoureckon；youwishthewartoconcealyourrogueriesasinamist，thatDemosmayseenothingofthem，andharassedbycares，mayonlydependonyourselfforhisbread。Butifeverpeaceisrestoredtohim，ifeverhereturnstohislandstocomforthimselfoncemorewithgoodcakes，togreethischerishedolives，hewillknowtheblessingsyouhavekepthimoutof，eventhoughpayinghimasalary；and，filledwithhatredandrage，hewillrise，burningwithdesiretovoteagainstyou。Youknowthisonlytoowell；itisforthisyourockhimtosleepwithyourlies。
　　CLEON
　　Isitnotshameful，thatyoushoulddarethustocalumniatemebeforeDemos，me，towhomAthens，IswearitbyDemeter，alreadyowesmorethaniteverdidtoThemistocles？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER（declaiming）
　　Oh！citizensofArgos，doyouhearwhathesays？（toCLEON）YoudaretocompareyourselftoThemistocles，whofoundourcityhalfemptyandleftitfulltooverflowing，whoonedaygaveusthePiraeusfordinner，andaddedfreshfishtoallourusualmeals。You，onthecontrary，you，whocompareyourselfwithThemistocles，haveonlysoughttoreduceourcityinsize，toshutitwithinitswalls，tochantoraclestous。AndThemistoclesgoesintoexile，whileyougorgeyourselfonthemostexcellentfare。
　　CLEON
　　Oh！Demos！AmIcompelledtohearmyselfthusabused，andmerelybecauseIloveyou？
　　DEMOS
　　Silence！stopyourabuse！AlltoolonghaveIbeenyourdupe。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ah！mydearlittleDemos，heisaroguewhohasplayedyoumanyascurvytrick；whenyourbackisturned，hetapsattherootthelawsuitsinitiatedbythepeculators，swallowstheproceedswholesaleandhelpshimselfwithbothhandsfromthepublicfunds。
　　CLEON
　　Tremble，knave；Iwillconvictyouofhavingstolenthirtythousanddrachmae。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Forarascalofyourkidney，youshoutrarely！Well！IamreadytodieifIdonotprovethatyouhaveacceptedmorethanfortyminaefromtheMitylenaeans。
　　SECONDSEMI—CHORUS（singing）
　　Thisindeedmaybetermedtalking。Oh，benefactorofthehumanrace，proceedandyouwillbethemostillustriousoftheGreeks。
　　YoualoneshallhaveswayinAthens，theallieswillobeyyou，and，tridentinhand，youwillgoaboutshakingandoverturningeverythingtoenrichyourself。But，sticktoyourman，lethimnotgo；
　　withlungslikeyoursyouwillsoonhavehimfinished。
　　CLEON
　　No，mybravefriends，no，youarerunningtoofast；Ihavedoneasufficientlybrilliantdeedtoshutthemouthofallenemies，solongasoneofthebucklersofPylosremains。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ofthebucklers！Hold！IstopyouthereandIholdyoufast。Forifitbetruethatyoulovethepeople，youwouldnotallowthesetobehungupwiththeirrings；butit’swithanintentyouhavedonethis。Demos，takeknowledgeofhisguiltypurpose；inthiswayyounolongercanpunishhimatyourpleasure。Notetheswarmofyoungtanners，whoreallysurroundhim，andclosetothemthesellersofhoneyandcheese；alltheseareatonewithhim。Verywell！youhavebuttofrown，tospeakofostracismandtheywillrushatnighttothesebucklers，takethemdownandseizeourgranaries。
　　DEMOS
　　Greatgods！what！thebucklersretaintheirrings！Scoundrel！
　　ah！tolonghaveyouhadmeforyourdupe，cheatedandplavedwithme！
　　CLEON
　　But，dearsir，neveryoubelieveallhetellsyou。Oh！neverwillyoufindamoredevotedfriendthanme；unaided，Ihaveknownhowtoputdowntheconspiracies；nothingthatishatchinginthecityescapesme，andIhastentoproclaimitloudly。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Youarelikethefishersforeels；instillwaterstheycatchnothing，butiftheythoroughlystiruptheslime，theirfishingisgood；inthesamewayit’sonlyintroubloustimesthatyoulineyourpockets。Butcome，tellme，you，whosellsomanyskins，haveyouevermadehimapresentofapairofsolesforhisslippers？andyoupretendtolovehim！
　　DEMOS
　　No，hehasnevergivenmeany。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Thataloneshowsuptheman；butI，Ihaveboughtyouthispairofshoes；acceptthem。
　　（HegivesDEMOStheshoes；DEMOSputsthemon。）
　　DEMOS
　　Noneever，tomyknowledge，hasmeritedsomuchfromthepeople；
　　youarethemostzealousofallmenforourcountryandformytoes。
　　CLEON
　　Canawretchedpairofslippersmakeyouforgetallthatyouoweme？IsitnotIwhocurbedthepederastsbyerasingGryttus’namefromthelistsofcitizens？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ah！nobleInspectorofArses，letmecongratulateyou。Moreover，ifyousetyourselfagainstthisformoflewdness，thispederasty，itwasforsheerjealousy，knowingittobetheschoolfororators。
　　ButyouseethispoorDemoswithoutacloakandthatathisagetoo！
　　solittledoyoucareforhim，thatinmid—winteryouhavenotgivenhimagarmentwithsleeves。Here，Demos，hereisone，takeit！
　　（HegivesDEMOSacloak；DEMOSputsiton。）
　　DEMOS
　　ThisevenThemistoclesneverthoughtof；thePiraeuswasnodoubtahappyidea，butIthinkthistunicisquiteasfineaninvention。
　　CLEON
　　Mustyouhaverecoursetosuchjackanapes’trickstosupplantme？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，it’syourowntricksthatIamborrowing，justasadrunkenguest，whenhehastotakeacrap，seizessomeotherman’sshoes。
　　CLEON
　　Oh！youshallnotoutdomeinflattery！IamgoingtohandDemosthisgarment；allthatremainstoyou，yourogue，istogoandhangyourself。
　　DEMOS（asCLEONthrowsacloakaroundhisshoulders）
　　Faugh！maytheplagueseizeyou！Youstinkofleatherhorribly。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Why，it’stosmotheryouthathehasthrownthiscloakaroundyouontopoftheother；anditisnotthefirstplothehasplannedagainstyou。Doyourememberthetimewhensilphiumwassocheap？
　　DEMOS
　　Aye，tobesureIdo！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Verywell！itwasCleonwhohadcausedthepricetofallsolow，thatallmighteatit，andthejurymenintheCourtswerealmostasphyxiatedfromfartingineachothers’faces。
　　DEMOS
　　Hah！why，indeed，aDungtownitetoldmethesamething。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Wereyounotyourselfinthosedaysquiteredinthegillswithfarting？
　　DEMOS
　　Why，itwasatrickworthyofPyrrhandrus！
　　CLEON
　　Withwhatotheridletrashwillyouseektoruinme，youwretch！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Oh！Ishallbemorebrazenthanyou，forit’sthegoddesswhohascommandedme。
　　CLEON
　　No，onmyhonour，youwillnot！Here，Demos，feastonthisdish；
　　itisyoursalaryasadicast，whichyougainthroughmefordoingnaught。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Wait！hereisalittleboxofointmenttorubintothesoresonyourlegs。
　　CLEON
　　Iwillpluckoutyourwhitehairsandmakeyouyoungagain。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Takethishare’stailtowipetherheumfromyoureyes。
　　CLEON
　　Whenyouwipeyournose，cleanyourfingersonmyhead。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，onmine。
　　CLEON
　　Onmine。（TotheSAUSAGE—SELLER）Iwillhaveyoumadeatrierarchandyouwillgetruinedthroughit；Iwillarrangethatyouaregivenanoldvesselwithrottensails，whichyouwillhavetorepairconstantlyandatgreatcost。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ourmanisontheboil；enough，enough，enough，heisboilingover；removesomeoftheembersfromunderhimandskimoffhisthreats。
　　CLEON
　　Iwillpunishyourself—importance；Iwillcrushyouwithimposts；
　　Iwillhaveyouinscribedonthelistoftherich。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Formenothreat—onlyonesimplewish。Thatyoumaybehavingsomecuttle—fishfriedonthestovejustasyouaregoingtosetforthtopleadthecauseoftheMilesians，which，ifyougainit，meansatalentinyour，pocket；thatyouhurryoverdevouringthefishtorushofftotheAssembly；suddenlyyouarecalledandrunoffwithyourmouthfullsoasnottolosethetalentandchokeyourself。There！
　　thatismywish。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Splendid！byZeus，ApolloandDemeter！
　　DEMOS
　　Faith！hereisanexcellentcitizenindeed，suchashasnotbeenseenforalongtime。He’strulyamanofthelowestscum！Asforyou，Paphlagonian，whopretendtoloveme，youonlyfeedmeongarlic。
　　Returnmemyring，foryouceasetobemysteward。
　　CLEON
　　Hereitis，butbeassured，thatifyoubereavemeofmypower，mysuccessorwillbeworsethanIam。
　　DEMOS
　　Thiscannotbemyring；Iseeanotherdevice，unlessIamgoingpurblind。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Whatwasyourdevice？
　　DEMOS
　　Afig—leaf，stuffedwithbullock’sfat。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，thatisnotit。
　　DEMOS
　　Whatisitthen？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　It’sagullwithbeakwideopen，haranguingthepeoplefromthetopofastone。
　　DEMOS
　　Ah！greatgods！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Whatisthematter？
　　DEMOS
　　Away！awayoutofmysight！It’snotmyringhehad，itwasthatofCleonymus。（TotheSAUSAGE—SELLER）Wait，I’llgiveyouthisone；
　　youshallbemysteward。
　　CLEON
　　Master，Iadjureyou，decidenothingtillyouhaveheardmyoracles。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Andmine。
　　CLEON
　　Ifyoubelievehim，youwillhavetoprostituteyourselfforhim。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ifyoulistentohim，you’llhavetolethimpeelyoutotheverystump。
　　CLEON
　　Myoraclessaythatyouaretoreignoverthewholeearth，crownedwithchaplets。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Andminesaythat，clothedinanembroideredpurplerobe，youshallpursueSmicytheandherspouse，standinginachariotofgoldandwithacrownonyourhead。
　　DEMOS
　　Go，fetchmeyouroracles，thatthePaphlagonianmayhearthem。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Willingly。
　　DEMOS
　　Andyouyours。
　　CLEON
　　I’llrun。
　　（HerushesintothehouseofDEMOS。）
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　AndI’llruntoo；nothingcouldsuitmebetter！
　　（Hedepartsinhaste。）
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　Oh！happydayforusandforourchildrenifCleonperish。YetjustnowIheardsomeoldcross—grainedpleadersonthemarketplacewhoholdnotthisopiniondiscoursingtogether。Saidthey，"IfCleonhadnothadthepower，weshouldhavelackedtwomostusefultools，thepestleandthesoup—ladle。"Youalsoknowwhatapig’seducationhehashad；hisschool—fellowscanrecallthatheonlylikedtheDorianstyleandwouldstudynoother；hismusic—masterindispleasuresenthimaway，saying；"Thisyouth，inmattersofharmony，willonlylearntheDorianstylebecauseitisakintobribery。"
　　CLEON（comingoutofthehousewithalargepackage）
　　There，lookatthisheap；andyetI’mnotbringingthemall。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER（enteringwitkanevenlargerpackage）
　　Ugh！Theweightofthemissqueezingthecraprightoutofme，andstillI’mnotbringingthemall！
　　DEMOS
　　Whatarethese？
　　CLEON
　　Oracles。
　　DEMOS
　　Allthese？
　　CLEON
　　Doesthatastonishyou？Why，Ihaveanotherwholeboxfulofthem。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　AndIthewholeofmyatticandtworoomsbesides。
　　DEMOS
　　Come，letussee，whosearetheseoracles？
　　CLEON
　　MinearethoseofBacis。
　　DEMOS（totheSAUSAGE—SELLER）
　　Andwhoseareyours？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER（withouthesitating）
　　Glanis’s，theelderbrotherofBacis。
　　DEMOS
　　Andofwhatdotheyspeak？
　　CLEON
　　OfAthensandPylosandyouandmeandeverything。
　　DEMOS
　　Andyours？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　OfAthensandlentilsandLacedaemoniansandfreshmackerelandscoundrellyflour—sellersandyouandme。Ahha！nowwatchhimgnawhisowntoolwithchagrin！
　　DEMOS
　　Come，readthemouttomeandespeciallythatoneIlikesomuch，whichsaysthatIshallbecomeaneagleandsoaramongtheclouds。
　　CLEON
　　Thenlistenandbeattentive！"SonofErechtheus，understandthemeaningofthewords，whichthesacredtripodssetresoundinginthesanctuaryofApollo。Preservethesacreddogwiththejaggedteeth，thatbarksandhowlsinyourdefence；hewillensureyouasalaryand，ifhefails，willperishasthevictimoftheswarmsofjaysthathunthimdownwiththeirscreams。"
　　DEMOS
　　ByDemeter！Idonotunderstandawordofit。WhatconnectionistherebetweenErechtheus，thejaysandthedog？
　　CLEON
　　Iamthedog，sinceIbarkinyourdefence。Well！Phoebuscommandsyoutokeepandcherishyourdog。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Thatisnotwhatthegodsays；thisdogseemstometognawattheoraclesasothersgnawatdoorposts。HereisexactlywhatApollosaysofthedog。
　　DEMOS
　　Letushear，butImustfirstpickupastone；anoraclewhichspeaksofadogmightbitemytool。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　"SonofErechtheus，bewareofthisCerberusthatenslavesfreemen；hefawnsuponyouwithhistailwhenyouaredining，butheislyinginwaittodevouryourdishesshouldyouturnyourheadaninstant；atnighthesneaksintothekitchenand，truedogthatheis，licksupwithonelapofhistonguebothyourdishesand……theislands。"
　　DEMOS
　　Bygod，Glanis，youspeakbetterthanyourbrother。
　　CLEON
　　Condescendagaintohearmeandthenjudge："AwomaninsacredAthenswillbedeliveredofalion，whoshallfightforthepeopleagainstcloudsofgnatswiththesameferocityasifheweredefendinghiswhelps；careyeforhim，erectwoodenwallsaroundhimandtowersofbrass。"Doyouunderstandthat？
　　DEMOS
　　Nottheleastbitintheworld。
　　CLEON
　　Thegodtellsyouheretolookafterme，forIamyourlion。
　　DEMOS
　　How！YouhavebecomealionandIneverknewathingaboutit？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Thereisonlyonethingwhichhepurposelykeepsfromyou；hedoesnotsaywhatthiswallofwoodandbrassisinwhichApollowarnsyoutokeepandguardhim。
　　DEMOS
　　Whatdoesthegodmean，then？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Headvisesyoutofithimintoafive—holedwoodencollar。
　　DEMOS
　　Hah！Ithinkthatoracleisabouttobefulfilled。
　　CLEON
　　Donotbelieveit；thesearebutjealouscrows，thatcawagainstme；butneverceasetocherishyourgoodhawk；neverforgetthathebroughtyouthoseLacedaemonianfish，loadedwithchains。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ah！ifthePaphlagonianrananyriskthatday，itwasbecausehewasdrunk。Oh，toocreduloussonofCecrops，doyouacceptthatasagloriousexploit？Awomanwouldcarryaheavyburdenifonlyamanhadputitonhershoulders。Buttofight！Goto！hewouldemptyhisbowelsbeforehewouldeverfight。
　　CLEON
　　NotethisPylosinfrontofPylos，ofwhichtheoraclespeaks，"PylosisbeforePylos。"
　　DEMOS
　　How"infrontofPylos"？Whatdoeshemeanbythat？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Hesayshewillseizeuponyourbath—tubs。
　　DEMOS
　　ThenIshallnotbatheto—day。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，ashehasstolenourbaths。Buthereisanoracleaboutthefleet，towhichIbegyourbestattention。
　　DEMOS
　　Readon！Iamlistening；letusfirstseehowwearetopayoursailors。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　"SonofAegeus，bewareofthetricksofthedog—fox，hebitesfromtherearandrushesoffatfullspeed；heisnothingbutcunningandperfidy。"Doyouknowwhattheoracleintendstosay？
　　DEMOS
　　Thedog—foxisPhilostratus。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，no，it’sCleon；heisincessantlyaskingyouforlightvesselstogoandcollectthetributes，andApolloadvisesyounottograntthem。
　　DEMOS
　　Whatconnectionistherebetweenagalleyanddog—fox？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Whatconnection？Why，it’squiteplain—agalleytravelsasfastasadog。
　　DEMOS
　　Why，then，doestheoraclenotsaydoginsteadofdog—fox？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Becausehecomparesthesoldierstoyoungfoxes，who，likethem，eatthegrapesinthefields。
　　DEMOS
　　Good！Wellthen！howamItopaythewagesofmyyoungfoxes？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Iwillundertakethat，andinthreedaystoo！Butlistentothisfurtheroracle，bywhichApolloputsyouonyourguardagainstthesnaresofthegreedyfist。
　　DEMOS
　　Ofwhatgreedyfist？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　ThegodinthisoracleveryclearlypointstothehandofCleon，whoincessantlyholdshisout，saying，"Fillit。"
　　CLEON
　　That’salie！PhoebusmeansthehandofDiopithes。ButhereIhaveawingedoracle，whichpromisesyoushallbecomeaneagleandruleoveralltheearth。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ihaveone，whichsaysthatyoushallbeKingoftheEarthandoftheRedSeatoo，andthatyoushalladministerjusticeinEcbatana，eatingfinerichstewsthewhile。
　　CLEON
　　IhaveseenAthen&inadream，pouringoutfullvialsofrichesandhealthoverthepeople。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Itoohaveseenthegoddess，descendingfromtheAcropoliswithanowlpercheduponherhelmet；onyourheadshewaspouringoutambrosia，onthatofCleongarlicpickle。
　　DEMOS
　　TrulyGlanisisthewisestofmen。Ishallyieldmyselftoyou；
　　guidemeinmyoldageandeducatemeanew。
　　CLEON
　　Ah！Iadjureyou！notyet；waitalittle；Iwillpromisetodistributebarleyeveryday。
　　DEMOS
　　Ah！Iwillnothearanotherwordaboutbarley；youhavecheatedmetoooftenalready，bothyouandTheophanes。
　　CLEON
　　Wellthen！youshallhaveflour—cakesallpipinghot。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Iwillgiveyoucakestoo，andnicecookedfish；allyou’llhavetodoiseat。
　　DEMOS
　　Verywell，mindyoukeepyourpromises。TowhicheverofyoushalltreatmebestIhandoverthereinsofstate。
　　CLEON
　　Iwillbefirst。
　　（Herushesintothehouse。）
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　No，no，Iwill。
　　（Herunsoff。）
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　Demos，youareourall—powerfulsovereignlord；alltremblebeforeyou，yetyouareledbythenose。Youlovetobeflatteredandfooled；
　　youlistentotheoratorswithgapingmouthandyourmindisledastray。
　　DEMOS（singing）
　　It’sratheryouwhohavenobrains，ifyouthinkmesofoolishasallthat；itiswithapurposethatIplaythisidiot’srole，forI
　　lovetodrinkthelivelongday，andsoitpleasesmetokeepathiefformyminister。Whenhehasthoroughlygorgedhimself，thenI
　　overthrowandcrushhim。
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　Whatprofoundwisdom！Ifitbereallyso，why！allisforthebest。Yourministers，then，areyourvictims，whomyounourishandfeedupexpresslyinthePnyx，sothat，thedayyourdinnerisready，youmayimmolatethefattestandeathim。
　　DEMOS（singing）
　　Look，seehowIplaywiththem，whileallthetimetheythinkthemselvessuchadeptsatcheatingme。Ihavemyeyeonthemwhentheythieve，butIdonotappeartobeseeingthem；thenIthrustajudgmentdowntheirthroatasitwereafeather，andforcethemtovomitupalltheyhaverobbedfromme。
　　（Cleoncomesoutofthehousewithabenchandalargebasket；atthesamemomenttheSAUSAGE—SELLERarriveswithanotherbasket；
　　thetwoareplacedbesideoneanother。）
　　CLEON
　　Getoutofhere！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Getoutyourself！
　　CLEON
　　Demos，allisreadythesethreehours；IawaityourordersandI
　　burnwithdesiretoloadyouwithbenefits。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　AndIten，twelve，athousandhours，along，longwhile，aninfinitelylong，long，longwhile。
　　DEMOS
　　Asforme，it’sthirtythousandhoursthatIhavebeenimpatient；very，long，infinitelylong，long，longthatIhavecursedyou—
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Doyouknowwhatyouhadbestdo？
　　DEMOS
　　Iwill，ifyoutellme。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Declarethelistsopenandwewillcontendabreasttodetermine—whoshalltreatyouthebest。
　　DEMOS
　　Splended！Drawbackinline！
　　CLEON
　　Iamready。
　　DEMOS
　　Offyougo！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER（toCLEON）
　　Ishallnotletyougettothetape。
　　DEMOS
　　Whatferventlovers！IfIamnotto—daythehappiestofmen，itwillbebecauseIamthemostdisgusted。
　　CLEON（puttingdownthebenchforDEMOS）
　　Look！Iamthefirsttobringyouaseat。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　AndIatable。
　　（Heplaceshissausage—trayinfrontofDEMOS。）
　　CLEON
　　Wait，hereisacakekneadedofPylosbarley。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Herearecrusts，whichtheivoryhandofthegoddesshashallowed。
　　DEMOS
　　Oh！MightyAthene！Howlargeareyourfingers！
　　CLEON
　　Thisispea—soup，asexquisiteasitisfine；PallasthevictoriousgoddessatPylosistheonewhocrushedthepeasherself。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Oh，Demos！thegoddesswatchesoveryou；sheisstretchingforthoveryourhead……astew—panfullofbroth。
　　DEMOS
　　Andshouldwestillbedwellinginthiscitywithoutthisprotectingstew—pan？
　　CLEON
　　Herearesomefish，giventoyoubyherwhoistheterrorofourfoes。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Thedaughterofthemightiestofthegodssendsyouthismeatcookedinitsowngravy，alongwiththisdishoftripeandsomepaunch。
　　DEMOS
　　That’stothankmeforthepeplusIofferedtoher；good。
　　CLEON
　　Thegoddesswiththeterribleplumeinvitesyoutoeatthislongcake；youwillrowtheharderonit。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Takethisalso。
　　DEMOS
　　AndwhatshallIdowiththistripe？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Shesendsityoutobellyoutyourgalleys，forsheisalwaysshowingherkindlyanxietyforourfleet。Nowdrinkthisdrinkcomposedofthreepartsofwatertotwoofwine。
　　DEMOS
　　Ah！whatdeliciouswine，andhowwellitstandsthewater。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　ThegoddesswhocamefromtheheadofZeusmixedthisliquorwithherownhands。
　　CLEON
　　Hold，hereisapieceofgoodrichcake。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　ButIofferyouanentirecake。
　　CLEON
　　ButyoucannotofferhimstewedhareasIdo。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER（aside）
　　Ah！greatgods！stewedhare！whereshallIfindit？Oh！brainofmine，devisesometrick！
　　CLEON（showinghimthehare）
　　Doyouseethis，yourogue？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER（pretendingtolookafar）
　　Afigforthat！Herearesomepeoplecomingtoseekme。Theyareenvoys，bearingsacksbulgingwithmoney。
　　CLEON
　　（HearingmoneymentionedCLEONturnshishead，andtheSAUSAGE—SELLERseizestheopportunitytosnatchawaythestewedhare。）
　　Where，where，Isay？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Bah！What’sthattoyou？Willyounotevennowletthestrangersalone？DearDemos，doyouseethisstewedharewhichIbringyou？
　　CLEON
　　Ah！rascal！youhaveshamelesslyrobbedme。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Youhaverobbedtoo，yourobbedtheLaconiansatPylos。
　　DEMOS
　　Pleasetellme，howdidyougettheideatofilchitfromhim？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Theideacomesfromthegoddess；thetheftisallmyown。
　　CLEON
　　AndIhadtakensuchtroubletocatchthishareandIwastheonewhohaditcooked。
　　DEMOS（toCLEON）
　　Getyougone！Mythanksareonlyforhimwhoservedit。
　　CLEON
　　Ah！wretch！youhavebeatenmeinimpudence！
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Wellthen，Demos，saynow，whohastreatedyoubest，youandyourstomach？Decide！
　　DEMOS
　　HowshallIactheresothatthespectatorsshallapprovemyjudgment？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Iwilltellyou。Withoutsayinganything，goandrummagethroughmybasket，andthenthroughthePaphlagonian’s，andseewhatisinthem；that’sthebestwaytojudge。
　　DEMOS
　　Letusseethen，whatisthereinyours？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Why，it’sempty，dearlittlefather；Ihavebroughteverythingtoyou。
　　DEMOS
　　Thisisabasketdevotedtothepeople。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　NowhuntthroughthePaphlagonian’s。（Pause，asDemosdoesso）
　　Well？
　　DEMOS
　　Oh！whatalotofgoodthings！Whyit’squitefull！Oh！whatahugegreatpartofthiscakehekeptforhimself！Hehadonlycutofftheleastlittletinypieceforme。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Butthisiswhathehasalwaysdone。Ofeverythinghetook，heonlygaveyouthecrumbs，andkeptthebulk。
　　DEMOS（toCLEON）
　　Oh！rascal！wasthisthewayyourobbedme？AndIwasloadingyouwithchapletsandgifts！
　　CLEON
　　Irobbedforthepublicweal。
　　DEMOS（toCLEON）
　　Givemebackthatcrown；Ishallgiveittohim。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Returnitquick，quick，yougallows—bird。
　　CLEON
　　No，forthePythianoraclehasrevealedtomethenameofhimwhoshalloverthrowme。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Andthatnamewasmine，nothingcanbeclearer。
　　CLEON
　　ReplyandIshallsoonseewhetheryouareindeedthemanwhomthegodintended。Firstly，whatschooldidyouattendwhenachild？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Itwasinthekitchens，whereIwastaughtwithcuffsandblows。
　　CLEON
　　What’sthatyousay？（aside）Ah！thisistrulywhattheoraclesaid。
　　（TotheSAUSAGE—SELLER）Andwhatdidyoulearnfromthemasterofexercises？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Ilearnttotakeafalseoathwithoutasmile，whenIhadstolensomething。
　　CLEON（frightened；aside）
　　Oh！PhoebusApollo，godofLycia！Iamundone！（TotheSAUSAGE—SELLER）Andwhenyouhadbecomeaman，whattradedidyoufollow？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Isoldsausagesanddidabitoffornication。
　　CLEON（inconsternation；aside）
　　Oh！mygod！Iamalostman！Ah！stilloneslenderhoperemains。
　　（totheSAUSAGE—SELLER）Tellme，wasitonthemarket—placeornearthegatesthatyousoldyoursausages？
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Nearthegates，inthemarketforsaltedgoods。
　　CLEON（intragicdespair）
　　Alas！Iseetheprophecyofthegodisverilycometrue。Alas！
　　rollmehome。Iamamiserableruinedman。Farewell，mychaplet。
　　’Tisdeathtometopartwithyou。Soyouaretobelongtoanother；
　　’tiscertainhecannotbeagreaterthief，butperhapshemaybealuckierone。
　　（HegivesthechaplettotheSAUSAGE—SELLER。）
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　Oh！Zeus，protectorofGreece！’tistoyouIowethisvictory！
　　DEMOSTHENES
　　Hail！illustriousconqueror，butforgetnot，thatifyouhavebecomeagreatman，’tisthankstome；Iaskbutalittlething；
　　appointmesecretaryofthelaw—courtintheroomofPhanus。
　　DEMOS（totheSAUSAGE—SELLER）
　　Butwhatisyournamethen？Tellme。
　　SAUSAGE—SELLER
　　MynameisAgoracritus，becauseIhavealwayslivedonthemarketplaceinthemidstoflawsuits。
　　DEMOS
　　Wellthen，Agoracritus，Istandbyyou；asforthePaphlagonian，I
　　handhimovertoyourmercy。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Demos，Iwillcareforyoutothebestofmypower，andallshalladmitthatnocitizenismoredevotedthanItothiscityofsimpletons。
　　（TheyallenterthehouseofDEMOS。）
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　WhatfitterthemeforourMuse，atthecloseasatthebeginningofourwork，thanthis，tosingtheherowhodriveshisswiftsteedsdownthearena？WhyafflictLysistratuswithoursatiresonhispoverty，andThumantis，whohasnotsomuchasalodging？HeisdyingofhungerandcanbeseenatDelphi，hisfacebathedintears，clingingtoyourquiver，oh，Apolloandsupplicatingyoutotakehimoutofhismisery。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Aninsultdirectedatthewickedisnottobecensured；onthecontrary，thehonestman，ifhehassense，canonlyapplaud。Him，whomIwishtobrandwithinfamy，islittleknownhimself；he’sthebrotherofArignotus。Iregrettoquotethisnamewhichissodeartome，butwhoevercandistinguishblackfromwhite，ortheOrthianmodeofmusicfromothers，knowsthevirtuesofArignotus，whomhisbrother，Ariphrades，innowayresembles。Hegloatsinvice，isnotmerelyadissolutemanandutterlydebauched—buthehasactuallyinventedanewformofvice；forhepolluteshistonguewithabominablepleasuresinbrothels，befoulingallofhisbody。Whoeverisnothorrifiedatsuchamonstershallneverdrinkfromthesamecupwithme。
　　CHORUS（singing）
　　Attimesathoughtweighsonmeatnight；IwonderwhencecomesthisfearfulvoracityofCleonymus。’Tissaidthatwhendiningwitharichhost，hespringsatthedisheswiththegluttonyofawildbeastandneverleavesthebread—binuntilhishostseizeshimroundtheknees，exclaiming，"Go，go，goodgentleman，inmercygo，andsparemypoortable！"
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Itissaidthatthetriremesassembledincouncilandthattheoldestspokeintheseterms，"Areyouignorant，mysisters，ofwhatisplottinginAthens？TheysaythatacertainHyperbolus，abadcitizenandaninfamousscoundrel，asksforahundredofustotakethemtoseaagainstCarthage。"Allwereindignant，andoneofthem，asyetavirgin，cried，"MaygodforbidthatIshouldeverobeyhim！I
　　wouldprefertogrowoldintheharbourandbegnawedbyworms。No！bythegodsIswearit，Nauphante，daughterofNauson，shallneverbendtohislaw；that’sastrueasIammadeofwoodandpitch。IftheAtheniansvotefortheproposalofHyperbolus，letthem！wewillhoistfullsailandseekrefugebythetempleofTheseusortheshrineoftheEumenides。No！heshallnotcommandus！No！heshallnotplaywiththecitytothisextent！LethimsailbyhimselfforTartarus，ifsuchpleasehim，launchingtheboatsinwhichheusedtosellhislamps。"
　　（TheSAUSAGE—SELLERcomesoutofthehouseofDEMOS，splendidlyrobed。）
　　AGORACRITUS（solemnly）
　　Maintainaholysilence！Keepyourmouthsfromutterance！callnomorewitnesses；closethesetribunals，whicharethedelightofthiscity，andgatheratthetheatretochantthePaeanofthanksgivingtothegodsforafreshfavour。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Oh！torchofsacredAthens，saviouroftheIslands，whatgoodtidingsarewetocelebratebylettingthebloodofthevictimsflowinourmarketplaces？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　IhavefreshenedDemosupsomewhatonthestoveandhaveturnedhisuglinessintobeauty。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Iadmireyourinvertivegenius；but，whereishe？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　HeislivinginancientAthens，thecityofthegarlandsofviolets。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　HowIshouldliketoseehim！Whatishisdresslike，whathismanner？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　HehasoncemorebecomeashewasinthedayswhenhelivedwithAristidesandMiltiades。Butyouwilljudgeforyourselves，forIhearthevestibuledoorsopening。HailwithyourshoutsofgladnesstheAthensofold，whichnowdothreappeartoyourgaze，admirable，worthyofthesongsofthepoetsandthehomeoftheillustriousDemos。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Oh！noble，brilliantAthens，whosebrowiswreathedwithviolets，showusthesovereignmasterofthislandandofallGreece。
　　（DEMOScomesfromhishouse，rejuvenatedandjoyous。）
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Lo！hereheiscomingwithhishairheldinplacewithagoldenbandandinallthegloryofhisold—worlddress；perfumedwithmyrrh，hespreadsaroundhimnottheodouroflawsuits，butthatofpeace。
　　LEADEROFTHECHORUS
　　Hail！KingofGreece，wecongratulateyouuponthehappinessyouenjoy；itisworthyofthiscity，worthyofthegloryofMarathon。
　　DEMOS
　　Come，Agoracritus，come，mybestfriend；seetheserviceyouhavedonemebyfresheningmeuponyourstove。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Ah！ifyoubutrememberedwhatyouwereformerlyandwhatyoudid，youwouldforacertaintybelievemetobeagod。
　　DEMOS
　　ButwhatdidIdo？andhowwasIthen？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Firstly，sosoonaseveranoratordeclaredintheAssembly，"Demos，Iloveyouardently；itisIalonewhodreamofyouandwatchoveryourinterests"；atsuchanexordiumyouwouldlooklikeacockflappinghiswingsorabulltossinghishorns。
　　DEMOS
　　What，I？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Then，afterhehadfooledyoutothehilt，hewouldgo。
　　DEMOS
　　What！theywouldtreatmeso，andIneversawit？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Youknewonlyhowtoopenandcloseyourearslikeasunshade。
　　DEMOS
　　WasIthensostupidandsuchadotard？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Worsethanthat；ifoneoftwooratorsproposedtoequipafleetforwarandtheothersuggestedtheuseofthesamesumforpayingouttothecitizens，itwasthelatterwhoalwayscarriedtheday。Well！
　　youdroopyourhead！Whydoyouturnawayyourface？
　　DEMOS
　　Iamblushingatmypasterrors。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Thinknomoreofthem；it’snotyouwhoaretoblame，butthosewhocheatedyouinthissorryfashion。But，come，ifsomeimpudentlawyerdaredtosay，"Dicasts，youshallhavenowheatunlessyouconvictthisaccusedman！"whatwouldyoudo？Tellme。
　　DEMOS
　　Iwouldhavehimremovedfromthebar，IwouldbindHyperbolusabouthisnecklikeastoneandwouldflinghimintotheBarathrum。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Wellspoken！butwhatothermeasuresdoyouwishtotake？
　　DEMOS
　　First，assoonaseverafleetreturnstotheharbour，Ishallpayuptherowersinfull。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Thatwillsoothemanyawornandchafedbottom。
　　DEMOS
　　Further，thehopliteenrolledformilitaryserviceshallnotgettransferredtoanotherservicethroughfavour，butshallsticktothatgivenhimattheoutset。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　ThiswillstrikethebucklerofCleonymusfullinthecentre。
　　DEMOS
　　Noneshallascendtherostrum，unlesshischinisbearded。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　WhatthenwillbecomeofClisthenesandofStrato？
　　DEMOS
　　Iwishonlytorefertothoseyouthswholollabouttheperfumeshops，babblingatrandom，"WhatacleverfellowisPhaeax！Howcleverlyheescapeddeath！howconciseandconvincingishisstyle！
　　whatphrases！howclearandtothepoint！howwellheknowshowtoquellaninterruption！
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Ithoughtyouweretheloverofthosefairies。
　　DEMOS
　　Thegodsforefendit！andIwillforceallsuchfellowstogohuntinginsteadofproposingdecrees。
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Inthatcase，acceptthisfolding—stool，and，tocarryit，thiswell—grown，big—balledslavelad。Besides，youmayputhimtoanyotherpurposeyouplease。
　　DEMOS
　　Oh！IamhappyindeedtofindmyselfasIwasofold！
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Aye，youwilldeemyourselfhappy，whenIhavehandedyouthetruceofthirtyyears。Truce！stepforward！
　　（EnterTruce，intheformofabeautifulyounggirl，magnificentlyattired。）
　　DEMOS
　　Greatgods！howcharmingsheis！CanIdowithherasIwish？
　　wheredidyoudiscoverher，pray？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　ThatPaphlagonianhadkeptherlockedupinhishouse，sothatyoumightnotenjoyher。Asformyself，Igivehertoyou；takeherwithyouintothecountry。
　　DEMOS
　　AndwhatpunishmentwillyouinflictuponthisPaphlagonian，thecauseofallmytroubles？
　　AGORACRITUS
　　Itwillnotbeover—terrible。Icondemnhimtofollowmyoldtrade，postednearthegates，hemustsellsausagesofasses’anddogs’meat：perpetuallydrunk，hewillexchangefoullanguagewithprostitutesandwilldrinknothingbutthedirtywaterfromthebaths。
　　DEMOS
　　Wellconceived！heisindeedfittowranglewithharlotsandbathmen；asforyou，inreturnforsomanyblessings，IinviteyoutotaketheplaceatthePrytaneumwhichthisrogueonceoccupied。Putonhisfrog—greenmantleandfollowme。Asfortheother，letthemtakehimaway；lethimgosellhissausagesinfullviewoftheforeigners，whomheusedformerlytoinsultsowantonly。