24 ARIST OPHANES.,

Honesty interrupted at this point. “What in the
world do you mean? Burn the arsenal with the
wick of a lamp!”

Lnf. “ Certainly.”

Hon. “But how?”

Lnf. “Listen! This Boeotian rascal would catch a
water-spider, fasten the wick on its back, wait for a
strong north wind, light the wick, and send the
spider with it into the harbour. Let the fire once
catch a single vessel, and the whole place would be
in a blaze.”

“Stop his mouth!” cried Honesty. “Tie a hay-
band round him, and send him off.”

The charcoal-burners, by this time thoroughly con-
verted to peace views, were so delighted that they
burst out into song.

“To preserve him safe and sound,
You must have him fairly bound
With a cordage nicely wound,

Up and down and round and round;
Securely packed.”

Honesty took up the strain : —

“T shall have a special care;
He’s a piece of paltry ware;
As you strike him here or there, [strikes him]
Don’t you hear his cries declare
That he’s partly cracked?”
C.-b. “How, then, is he fit for use?”
fon. “ As a stove-jar for abuse,
Plots and lies he cooks and brews,
Slander and seditious news.”