THE ACHARNIANS. 7

lon. “Chousibus indeed! You have choused us
out of our guineas.”

Amb. “ However, we did not go for nothing; we
have brought back with us a great Persian noble-
man. Sham-Artabas is his name; he is nothing less
than the King’s Eye. Come forward, Sham-Artabas,
and explain to the people of Athens what the Great
King means to do for them.”

On this, a curious creature, wearing a mask which
was all one big eye, came forward, followed by a
train of attendants in Persian attire. He muttered
something which sounded like —

“ Artaman exarksam anapissonai satra.’’}

“There!” cried the ambassador, “didn’t you hear
him? Don’t you understand him?” .

“Understand him!” said Mr. Honesty, “no; not:
a syllable.” . yen 3

Amb. “Why, he said that the Great King means
to send us some gold. Tell them” (turning to Sham-
Artabas), “tell them about the gold; speak louder
and more plainly.”

The Eye spoke again.

“ Gapey Greeks, gold a fooly jest.”

Hon. “ Ah, that is plain enough!”

Amb. “Well, what do you make of it?”

ton. “Why, that it is a foolish jest for us Greeks
to think that we shall get any gold.” 7

1 Supposed to resemble the words with which a Persian edict
commenced.