Haw. "Moreover, if a Nephelococcugian
Should assault or smite an Athenian citzen" . . .1035
Peis. What's this? What's all this trumpery paper here?
Haw. I've brought you the new laws and ordinances,
And copies of the last decrees to sell.
Peis. (drily and bitterly). Let's hear 'em.
Haw. "It is enacted and ordained
That the Nephelococcugians shall use
Such standard weights and measures" . . .1040
Peis. Friend, you'll find
Hard measure here, and a heavy weight, I promise you,
Upon your shoulders shortly.
Haw. What's the matter?
What's come to you?
Peis. Get out, with your decrees!
I've bloody decrees against you, dire decrees.1045
[Drives him off.
Com. (returning). I summon Peisthetairus to his answer,
in an action of assault and battery,
For the first day of the month, Munichion.
Peis. Ha, say you so? You're there again! Have at you.
[Drives him off.
Haw. (returning). "And in case of any assault or violence,1050
Against the person of the Magistrate." . . .
Peis. Bless me! What you! You're there again.
[Drives him off.
Com. (returning again). I'll ruin you;
I'll lay my damages at ten thousand drachmas.
Peis. In the meantime, I'll smash your balloting-boxes.
Com. Remember, how you effaced the public monument,[1]
On the pillar, and defiled it late last night.
Peis. Pah! stuff! There seize him, somebody. What you're off, too.1055
Come, let's remove, and get away from hence,
And sacrifice our goat, to the Gods within doors.
It is to be feared that, without having it pointed out to him, the Reader will hardly be aware that in some of the following lines an attempt is made to imitate the effect of the spondaic passages in the original.
- ↑ The sort of accusations which were current at the time similar to those of the mutilation of the Hermæ. Peisthetairus does not take any notice or bestow a whole line upon his accuser; the last words of the verse are addressed to the Hawker.
