Strep. By Apollo, of a truth you have rightly confirmed this by your present argument. And yet, before this, I really thought that Jupiter pissed through a sieve. Tell me who it is that thunders. This makes me tremble.
Soc. These, as they roll, thunder.
Strep. In what way? you all-daring man![1]
Soc. When[2] they are full of much water, and are compelled to be borne, along, being necessarily precipitated when full of rain, then they fall heavily upon each other and burst and clap.
Strep. Who is it that compels them to be borne along? is it not Jupiter?
Soc. By no means, but æthereal Vortex.
Strep. Vortex? It had escaped my notice[3] that Jupiter did not exist, and that Vortex now reigned in his stead. But you have taught me nothing as yet concerning the clap and the thunder.
Soc. Have you not heard me, that I said that the Clouds, when full of moisture, dash against each other, and clap by reason of their density?
Strep. Come, how am I to believe this?
Soc. I'll teach you from your own case. Were you ever, after being stuffed with broth at the Panathenaïc festival, then disturbed in your belly, and did a tumult suddenly rumble through it?
Strep. Yes, by Apollo, and immediately the little broth plays the mischief with me, and is disturbed, and rumbles like thunder, and grumbles dreadfully: at first gently pappax, pappax; and then it adds papapappax; and when I go to stool, it thunders downright papapappax, as they do.
Soc. Consider, therefore, how you have trumpeted from a little belly so small: and how is it not probable that this air, being boundless, should thunder loudly?
Strep. For this reason, therefore, the two names also, Trump and Thunder, are similar to each other. But teach me this, whence comes the thunderbolt blazing with fire, and
