This text is part of:
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Table of Contents:
Chorus
It is right and just for our sacred chorus to advise and teach what's good for the city. So first it seems best to us
to equalize the citizens and take away their fears.
And if anyone went astray, tripped by the wrestling moves of Phrynichus,
I say it should be possible for those who slipped up then
to plead their cause and erase their previous mistakes.
Because it's disgraceful that those who fought just once at sea
should suddenly be Plataeans and masters instead of slaves.
No, even this I couldn't say wasn't well and good,
in fact, I praise it. It's the only sensible thing you did.
But it's also fair, for people who've fought so much at sea
with you, as did their fathers, people who are related to your race
that you let pass their one misfortune, as they request.
But letting up on your anger, you who are wisest in nature,
let's gladly make everyone our kinsman
and full-fledged citizens too, who's ever fought for us at sea.
But if we swell up with pride at this, and give the city airs,
especially since we're in the grasp of the waves,
in time to come again we'll get a reputation for stupidity.
Aristophanes. Frogs. Matthew Dillon.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.