They both enter the house.
A Priest of Zeus comes hurrying in.
Priest
Can anyone tell me where Chremylus is?
Chremylus
emerging from the house
What would you with him, friend?
Priest
Much ill. Since Plutus has recovered his sight, I am perishing of starvation;
[1175]
I, the priest of Zeus the Deliverer, have nothing to eat!
Chremylus
And what is the cause of that, pray?
Priest
No one dreams of offering sacrifices.
Chremylus
Why not?
Priest
Because all men are rich. Ah! when they had nothing, the merchant
[1180]
who escaped from shipwreck, the accused who was acquitted, all immolated victims; another would sacrifice for the success of some wish and the priest joined in at the feast; but now there is not the smallest victim, not one of the faithful in the temple, but thousands who come there to take a crap.
Chremylus
[1185]
Why don't you take your share of those offerings?
Priest
ignoring this
Hence I think I too am going to say good-bye to Zeus the Deliverer, and stop here myself.
Chremylus
Be at ease, all will go well, if it so please the god. Zeus the Deliverer is here;
[1190]
he came of his own accord.
Priest
Ha! that's good news.
He moves toward the door.
Chremylus
Wait a little; we are going to install Plutus presently in the place he formerly occupied behind the Temple of Athena; there he will watch over our treasures for ever. Calling out Let lighted torches be brought to the priest.
[1195]
Take these and walk in solemn procession in front of the god.
Priest
That's magnificent!
Chremylus
Let Plutus be summoned.
Plutus comes out of the house, followed by the Old Woman.
Old Woman
And I, what am I to do?
Chremylus
Take the pots of vegetables which we are going to offer to the god in honor of his installation and carry them on your head; you just happen luckily to be wearing a beautiful embroidered robe.
Old Woman
[1200]
And what about the object of my coming?
Chremylus
Everything shall be according to your wish. The young man will be with you this evening.
Old Woman
Oh! if you promise me his visit, I will right willingly carry the pots.
She puts them on her head.
Chremylus
Those are strange pots indeed!
[1205]
Generally the scum rises to the top of the pots, but here the pots are raised to the top of the old woman.
Plutus begins to march solemnly off the stage; the Old Woman follows him.
Leader of the Chorus
Let us withdraw without more tarrying, and follow the others, singing as we go.
They do so.
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Table of Contents:
Aristophanes. Wealth. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.