THE WASPS. 97

Bdel. “Vl give him, I'll solemnly vow and engage,
Whatever is good for a man of his age; :
His pitcher shall ever of porridge be full,
And I'll wrap round his limbs a warm mantle of wool, —
Why stands he so silent ?”

Colt. “He is thinking how long,
Though you counselled him right, he has stuck to the wrong.
He'll be wiser hereafter.”

Phil. “Woe is me! woe is me!”
Bdel. “Why, what is the matter?”
Phil. “Tt is easy to see

All the things you have promised I scorn and despise.
It is there I would be, where the court-usher cries,
‘Tf any one still has to vote, let him rise.’”

' Bdelycleon besought his father to yield. The old
man would comply in everything but one. Death
would be better than not sitting as a juryman. |

Bdel. “Well, if you are so bent on this, why not
stop here and judge your own household?” : .

Phil, “Judge my own household? What non-
sense!” :

Bdel. “Not at all. The porteress, for instance,
opens the door on the sly. You fine her a shilling.
Just what you did there. If the day is fine, you will
-hold your court in the sun; if it snows, you will sit
by the fire. And the best of it will be that if you
choose to sleep till noon, no one will shut the door in
your face.”

Phil. “ An excellent idea.”

Bdel, “Then again, however long-winded counsel