THE CLOUDS. 135

Strep. “ But it is usual everywhere for children to
be beaten.”

Phet. “Tt was a man that made the law; and why
should not I make a new one? The old scores we
will wipe out; but hereafter the law is, that the sons
beat their fathers. Consider, too, the cock and other
animals. They punish their fathers, and there is no
difference between them and us, except that they
don’t propose bills in the Assembly.”

Strep. “Well, if you are going to imitate the cock
in all things, why don’t you eat dung and sleep on a
perch?”

Phet. “The argument does not apply. Socrates
would not say that it did.”

Strep. “ But some day you will repent of it, for
your son will beat you.”

Phei. “But if I have no son, what then?”

Strep. “Tam afraid you have me there.”

Phet. “Well, listen again. I shall beat my mother
just as I beat you.”

Strep. “Why, that’s worse than ever. You and
your Unjust Argument and Socrates with you ought.
to be thrown into the pit. Clouds, do you hear what
_ he says?”

Clouds. “Tt serves you right. You led the lad
into wicked ways.”

Strep. “Yes, but you encouraged me, a poor, igno-
rant old man.”

Clouds. “ Because you were dishonest. That is