THE KNIGHTS. 39

the world. Do just as you have been doing. Mangle
and mash everything. Flavour and spice to suit the
people's taste. You have got every qualification for a
demagogue. You have a vile voice, you are low-
born, you are ill-bred. Absolutely nothing is want-
ing, and here are the prophecies fitting in. So make
your prayer to the god of Boobydom, and tackle the
fellow.”

S.-s. “Yes; but who will be on my side? The rich
are afraid of him, and as for the poor, they shake
in their shoes.” ,

ff, “Who will be on your side? Why, a thousand
gentlemen of Athens who scorn and detest him, aye,
and every honest man in the city.”

At this point there was a terrified cry from behind,
“He’s coming! he’s coming!” and Bluster rushed
out of the house, vowing vengeance against every-
body. The sausage-seller was about to take to his
heels, when Hearty entreated him to stand firm, as
his friends were at hand. The next moment the
promised host of gentlemen appeared on the scene,
and gaining confidence by their support, the sausage-
seller came forward and confronted his adversary.
A fierce contest followed, in which each combatant
sought to overpower his adversary with abuse. and
threats.

Bluster. “I charge this man with treason. He
sells sausages to the Peloponnesian fleet.”

S.s. “I charge this man with worse than that.