The Wasps [18]
on?
BDELYCLEON
That is how well-behaved folk like to talk. But another thing.
When at wine, it would be fitting to relate some good story of your
youthful days. What is your most brilliant feat?
PHILOCLEON
My best feat? Ah! when I stole Ergasion's vine-props.
BDELYCLEON
You and your vine-props! you'll be the death of me! Tell of one of
your boar-hunts or of when you coursed the hare. Talk about some
torch-race you were in; tell of some deed of daring.
PHILOCLEON
Ah! my most daring dee, was when, quite a young man still, I
prosecuted Phayllus, the runner, for defamation, and he was
condemded by majority of two votes.
BDELYCLEON
Enough of that! Now recline there, and practise the bearing that
is fitting at table in society.
PHILOCLEON
How must I recline? Tell me quick!
BDELYCLEON
In an elegant style.
PHILOCLEON (lying on the ground)
Like this?
BDELYCLEON
Not at all.
PHILOCLEON
How then?
BDELYCLEON
Spread your knees on the tapestries and give your body the most
easy curves, like those taught in the gymnasium. Then praise some
bronze vase, survey the ceiling, admire the awning stretched over
the court. Water is poured over our hands; the tables are spread; we
sup and, after ablution, we now offer libations to the gods.
PHILOCLEON
But, by Zeus! this supper is but a dream, it appears!
BDELYCLEON
The flute-player has finished the prelude. The guests are Theorus,
Aeschines, Phanus, Cleon, Acestor; and beside this last, I don't
know who else. You are with them. Shall you know exactly how to take
up the songs that are started?
PHILOCLEON
Quite well.
BDELYCLEON
Really?
PHILOCLEON
Better than any born mountaineer of Attica.
BDELYCLEON
That we shall see. Suppose me to be Cleon. I am the first to begin
the song of Harmodius, and you take it up: "There never yet was seen
in Athens....
PHILOCLEON
....such a rogue or such a thief."
BDELYCLEON
Why, you wretched man, it will be the end of you if you sing that.
He will vow your ruin, your destruction, to chase you out of the
country.
PHILOCLEON
Well! then I shall answer his threats with another song: "With
your madness for supreme power, you will end by overthrowing the city,
which even now totters towards ruin."
BDELYCLEON
And when Theorus, prone at Cleon's feet, takes his hand and sings,
"Like Admetus, love those who are brave," what reply will you make
him?
PHILOCLEON
I shall sing, "I know not how to play the fox, nor call myself the
friend of both parties."
BDELYCLEON
Then comes the turn of Aeschines, the son of Sellus, and a
well-trained and clever musician, who will sing, "Good things and
riches for Clitagora and me and eke for the Thessalians!"
PHILOCLEON
"The two of us have squandered a great deal between us."
BDELYCLEON
At this game you seem at home. But come, we will go and dine
with Philoctemon.-Slave! slave! place our dinner in a basket; we are
going out for a good long drinking bout.
PHILOCLEON
By no means, it is too dangerous; for after drinking, one breaks
in doors, one comes to blows, one batters everything. Anon, when the
wine is slept off, one is forced to pay.
ELYCLEON
Not if you are with decent people. Either they undertake to
appease the offended person or, better still, you say something witty,
you tell some comic story, perhaps one of those you have yourself
heard at table, either in Aesop's style or in that of Sybaris;
everyone laughs and the trouble is ended.
PHILOCLEON
Faith! it's worth while learning many stories then, if you are
thus not punished for the ill you do. But come, no more delay!
(They go out.)
CHORUS (singing)
More than once have I given proof of cunning
BDELYCLEON
That is how well-behaved folk like to talk. But another thing.
When at wine, it would be fitting to relate some good story of your
youthful days. What is your most brilliant feat?
PHILOCLEON
My best feat? Ah! when I stole Ergasion's vine-props.
BDELYCLEON
You and your vine-props! you'll be the death of me! Tell of one of
your boar-hunts or of when you coursed the hare. Talk about some
torch-race you were in; tell of some deed of daring.
PHILOCLEON
Ah! my most daring dee, was when, quite a young man still, I
prosecuted Phayllus, the runner, for defamation, and he was
condemded by majority of two votes.
BDELYCLEON
Enough of that! Now recline there, and practise the bearing that
is fitting at table in society.
PHILOCLEON
How must I recline? Tell me quick!
BDELYCLEON
In an elegant style.
PHILOCLEON (lying on the ground)
Like this?
BDELYCLEON
Not at all.
PHILOCLEON
How then?
BDELYCLEON
Spread your knees on the tapestries and give your body the most
easy curves, like those taught in the gymnasium. Then praise some
bronze vase, survey the ceiling, admire the awning stretched over
the court. Water is poured over our hands; the tables are spread; we
sup and, after ablution, we now offer libations to the gods.
PHILOCLEON
But, by Zeus! this supper is but a dream, it appears!
BDELYCLEON
The flute-player has finished the prelude. The guests are Theorus,
Aeschines, Phanus, Cleon, Acestor; and beside this last, I don't
know who else. You are with them. Shall you know exactly how to take
up the songs that are started?
PHILOCLEON
Quite well.
BDELYCLEON
Really?
PHILOCLEON
Better than any born mountaineer of Attica.
BDELYCLEON
That we shall see. Suppose me to be Cleon. I am the first to begin
the song of Harmodius, and you take it up: "There never yet was seen
in Athens....
PHILOCLEON
....such a rogue or such a thief."
BDELYCLEON
Why, you wretched man, it will be the end of you if you sing that.
He will vow your ruin, your destruction, to chase you out of the
country.
PHILOCLEON
Well! then I shall answer his threats with another song: "With
your madness for supreme power, you will end by overthrowing the city,
which even now totters towards ruin."
BDELYCLEON
And when Theorus, prone at Cleon's feet, takes his hand and sings,
"Like Admetus, love those who are brave," what reply will you make
him?
PHILOCLEON
I shall sing, "I know not how to play the fox, nor call myself the
friend of both parties."
BDELYCLEON
Then comes the turn of Aeschines, the son of Sellus, and a
well-trained and clever musician, who will sing, "Good things and
riches for Clitagora and me and eke for the Thessalians!"
PHILOCLEON
"The two of us have squandered a great deal between us."
BDELYCLEON
At this game you seem at home. But come, we will go and dine
with Philoctemon.-Slave! slave! place our dinner in a basket; we are
going out for a good long drinking bout.
PHILOCLEON
By no means, it is too dangerous; for after drinking, one breaks
in doors, one comes to blows, one batters everything. Anon, when the
wine is slept off, one is forced to pay.
ELYCLEON
Not if you are with decent people. Either they undertake to
appease the offended person or, better still, you say something witty,
you tell some comic story, perhaps one of those you have yourself
heard at table, either in Aesop's style or in that of Sybaris;
everyone laughs and the trouble is ended.
PHILOCLEON
Faith! it's worth while learning many stories then, if you are
thus not punished for the ill you do. But come, no more delay!
(They go out.)
CHORUS (singing)
More than once have I given proof of cunning