126 ARISTOPHANES.

Strep. “I should really Uke having a suit for five
talents brought against me.’

Soc. “Now, turn your mind to this: You are de-
fendant in a case, you are going to be cast, you have
no witnesses, — how would you get out of it?”

Strep. “In the easiest way in the world.”

Soc. “Tell me.”

Strep. “Why, when the last case was on, before
mine was called, I should go and hang myself.”

Soc. “You are a fool. I will have nothing more
to do with you. There never was an old man so
stupid and so forgetful. Away with you!”

Strep. “Dear me! What shall I do? Dear, wor-
shipful Clouds, advise me!”

Clouds. “Tf you have a grown-up son, we recom-
mend you to send him to learn in your place.”

Strep. “Well, I have a son, but he won’t learn.”

Clouds. “ And you allow him?”

Strep. “You see, he is a sturdy fellow, and his
mother is a fine lady. However, I’ll go after him,
and if he still refuses I’ll turn him out of my house.”

Pheidippides was not easy to persuade. “‘ Father,
what is it?” he said. “By Zeus! you are out of your
senses.”

Stvep. “There you are with your Zeus— how
silly!”

Phei. “ What is there to laugh at?”

Strep. “Your talking about Zeus; there is no
Zeus.”