118 ARISTOPHANES.

head, and sprinkled him with flour, — proceedings
which somewhat dismayed him, as they suggested
the idea that he was going to be sacrificed! But he
was assured that all who desired to become disciples
had to do it, and that, once initiated, he would learn
the art of clever speech, would become, in fact, the
flower (flour) of advocates. ‘‘ Well, that’s true in
a way,” said Strepsiades ; “there’s a good deal of
flour about me now.” Socrates then proceeded to
invoke the clouds, while the new disciple folded his
cloak over him, lest, as he. said, he should be
drenched.

“O ye Clouds, honoured much of the wise, your forms to this
mortal disclose!
Come, come from the height of Olympus, god-haunted and
covered with snows,

Or where in the garden of ocean the dance of the nymphs
ye behold,

Or where from the fountains of Nilus ye draw in your
pitchers of gold;

Or come from the lake of Meotis, or snow-covered moun-
tains of Thrace,

Come, hark to our prayers, and our worship accept, of your
bountiful grace.”

Presently an answering voice was heard, accom-
panied by the noise of rolling thunder that seemed
to come nearer and nearer : —

1 A victim was crowned with a garland and had meal sprinkled on
its head.