| Aristophanes Index |
CITIZEN
I am waiting to see it, before I believe that.
CHREMES
At least, so they say in every street.
CITIZEN (sardonically)
And they will go on saying so.
CHREMES
Everyone talks of contributing all he has.
CITIZEN (in the same tone)
And will go on talking of it.
CHREMES
You weary me with your doubts and dubitations.
CITIZEN (in the same tone)
Everybody else will doubt it.
CHREMES
The pest seize you!
CITIZEN (in the same tone)
It will take you. (Then seriously) What? give up your goods! Is
there a man of sense who will do such a thing? Giving is not one of
our customs. Receiving is another matter; it's the way of the gods
themselves. Look at the position of their hands on their statues; when
we ask a favour, they present their hands turned palm up so as not
to give, but to receive.
CHREMES
Wretch, let me do what is right. Come, I'll make a bundle of all
these things. Where is my strap?
CITIZEN
Are you really going to carry them in?
CHREMES
Undoubtedly, and there are my two tripods strung together already.
CITIZEN
What folly! Not to wait to see what the others do, and then...
CHREMES
Well, and then what?
CITIZEN
...wait and put it off again.
CHREMES
What for?
CITIZEN
That an earthquake may come or an ill-omened flash of lightning,
that a black cat may run across the street and no one carry in
anything more, you fool!
CHREMES
It would be a fine thing if I were to find no room left for
placing all this.
CITIZEN
You are much more likely to lose your stuff. As for placing it,
you can be at ease, for there will be room enough as long as a month
hence.
CHREMES
Why?
CITIZEN
I know these people; a decree is readily passed, but it is not
so easily attended to.
CHREMES
All will contribute their property, my friend.
CITIZEN
But what if they don't?
CHREMES
But there is no doubt that they will.
CITIZEN (insistently)
But anyhow, what if they don't?
CHREMES
Do not worry; they will.
CITIZEN
And what if they oppose it?
CHREMES
We shall compel them to do so.
CITIZEN
And what if they prove the stronger?
CHREMES
I shall leave my goods and go off.
CITIZEN
And what if they sell them for you?
CHREMES
The plague take you!
CITIZEN
And if it does?
CHREMES
It will be a good riddance.
CITIZEN (in an incredulous tone)
You are really bent on contributing, then?
CHREMES
'Pon my soul, yes! Look, there are all my neighbours carrying in
all they have.
CITIZEN (sarcastically)
Oh yes, it's Antisthenes; he's the type that would contribute!
He would just as soon spend the next month sitting on the can.
CHREMES
The pest seize you!
CITIZEN
Will Callimachus, the chorus-master, contribute anything?
CHREMES
Why, more than Callias!
CITIZEN
The man must want to spend all his money!
CHREMES
How you weary me!
|
Buy Books!
|
