Demosthenes
Nothing simpler. Continue your trade. Mix and knead together
[215]
all the state business as you do for your sausages. To win the people, always cook them some savoury that pleases them. Besides, you possess all the attributes of a demagogue; a screeching, horrible voice, a perverse, crossgrained nature and the language of the market-place. In you all is united which is needful for governing.
[220]
The oracles are in your favour, even including that of Delphi. Come, take a chaplet, offer a libation to the god of Stupidity and take care to fight vigorously.
Sausage-Seller
Who will be my ally? for the rich fear the Paphlagonian and the poor shudder at the sight of him.
Demosthenes
[225]
You will have a thousand brave Knights, who detest him, on your side; also the honest citizens amongst the spectators, those who are men of brave hearts, and finally myself and the god.
[230]
Fear not, you will not see his features, for none have dared to make a mask resembling him. But the public have wit enough to recognize him.Cleon rushes out of the house. Oh! mercy! here comes the Paphlagonian!
Cleon
[235]
By the twelve gods! Woe betide you, who have too long been conspiring against Demos. What means this Chalcidian cup? No doubt you are provoking the Chalcidians to revolt. You shall be killed and butchered, you brace of rogues.
Demosthenes
to the Sausage-Seller
[240]
What! are you for running away? Come, come, stand firm, bold Sausage-seller, do not betray us.
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Aristophanes. Knights. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
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