Aristophanes, Wasps
Eugene O'Neill, Jr., Ed.

Philocleon
But if these notice it and want to fish me up and drag me back into the house, what will you do? Tell me that.

Leader of the Chorus
We shall call up the full strength of our oak-tough courage to your aid. That is what we will do.

Philocleon
[385] I trust myself to you and risk the danger. If misfortune overtakes me, take away my body, bathe it with your tears and bury it beneath the bar of the tribunal.

Leader of the Chorus
Nothing will happen to you, rest assured. Come, friend, have courage and let yourself slide down while you invoke your country's gods.

Philocleon
Oh! mighty Lycus! noble hero and my neighbour, thou, like myself, [390] takest pleasure in the tears and the groans of the accused. If thou art come to live near the tribunal, 'tis with the express design of hearing them incessantly; thou alone of all the heroes hast wished to remain among those who weep. Have pity on me and save him, who lives close to thee; I swear I will never make water, never, nor ever let a fart, against the railing of thy statue.He slides down as quietly as possible; nevertheless Bdelycleon wakes up.

Bdelycleon
to Xanthias
[395] Ho, there! ho! get up!

Xanthias
waking up
What's the matter?

Bdelycleon
I thought I heard talking close to me.

Xanthias
Is the old man at it again, escaping through some loophole?

Bdelycleon
No, by Zeus! no, but he is letting himself down by a rope.

Xanthias
Ha, rascal! what are you doing there? You shall not descend.

Bdelycleon
To Xanthias Mount quick to the other window, strike him with the boughs that hang over the entrance; perhaps he will turn back when he feels himself being thrashed.

Philocleon
to the audience
[400] To the rescue! all you, who are going to have lawsuits this year —Smicythion, Tisiades, Chremon and Pheredipnus. It's now or never, before they force me to return, that you must help.