52 ARISTOPHANES.

promises and prophecies. The man that serves me
up the best dinner I shall make manager-in-chief.
Away with you, and see what you can get for me.”
The two competitors ran off in furious haste, and
the gentlemen who had been backing the sausage-
seller took the opportunity of reproaching the old
man with his easy surrender to unworthy favourites.

“Worthy Demos, your estate
Is a glorious thing and great;
All men trembling bow them down,
As before a despot’s frown;
But you're easy of belief,
So that every rogue and thief
Finds you ready to his hand.
Flattery you can’t withstand ;
What your last advisers say
Ever will your judgment sway.”

Demos makes reply : —

“You're a fine set of sparks, but your wits are but weak ;
What you think is a folly is only a freak;
Believe me, my friends, I am not what I seem,
Iam quite wide awake, though you think that I dream ;
I pamper these thieves, but I smash them to bits
As soon as the right opportunity fits.”

The Gentlemen.

“Tf that’s what you meant, we approve your intent;
If you keep them like beasts, fattened up for your feasts,
Fed high in the stall, till occasion shall call,.
And a nice little vote puts a knife to their throat,
And your cook serves them up when you dine or you sup.”