186 ARISTOPHANES.

Xan. “And was pelted, of course, for his pains.”

4. “Not so; the mob cried out that there must
be a trial to decide which was the better man.”

Xan. “You mean the mob of scoundrels.”

4. “Yes; and an awful noise they made.”

Xan. “But AEschylus had his friends, too, I sup-
pose.” .

- 42, “O yes! but good people are scarce down
here, as they are up above.”

Xan. “Well, what does Pluto mean to do? a

BE. “He means to have a trial which will ‘show
who is the better man.” :

Xan. “How about Sophocles? Did he claim the
seat?”

E. “Not he: as soon as he came down he kissed
ZEschylus, and Aéschylus made room for him on
his seat. And now he means, if Aischylus should
get the better in the trial, to stay where he is; but
if ponies then to challenge him for uy first
place.”

Xan. “And what sort of a trial are they going
to have?”

@. “A rare one, you may be sure. You'll see
poetry measured by the pound weight, and rules, and
compasses, and wedges. pens says he is going
to take the plays to pieces.”

Xan. “ Aéschylus takes it hard, I reckon.”

LE. “Yes indeed, he’s like a bull going to charge.”

Xan. “But who is to be the judge?”