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A Literal Translation, with Notes.
76 pages - You are on Page 27
BDELYCLEON. In the name of the gods! withdraw or we shall fight you the whole day long.
CHORUS. No, not as long as I retain an atom of breath. Ha! your desire is to tyrannize over us!
BDELYCLEON. Everything is now tyranny with us, no matter what is concerned, whether it be large or small. Tyranny! I have not heard the word mentioned once in fifty years, and now it is more common than salt-fish, the word is even current on the market. If you are buying gurnards and don't want anchovies, the huckster next door, who is selling the latter, at once exclaims, "That is a man, whose kitchen savours of tyranny!" If you ask for onions to season your fish, the green-stuff woman winks one eye and asks, "Ha! you ask for onions! are you seeking to tyrannize, or do you think that Athens must pay you your seasonings as a tribute?"
XANTHIAS. Yesterday I went to see a gay girl about noon and suggested she should mount and ride me; she flew into a rage, pretending I wanted to restore the tyranny of Hippias.[63]
BDELYCLEON. That's the talk that pleases the people! As for myself, I want my father to lead a joyous life like Morychus[64] instead of going away before dawn to basely calumniate and condemn; and for this I am accused of conspiracy and tyrannical practice!
PHILOCLEON. And quite right too, by Zeus! The most exquisite dishes do not make up to me for the life of which you deprive me. I scorn your red mullet and your eels, and would far rather eat a nice little law suitlet cooked in the pot.
[63] This 'figure of love'--woman atop of the man--is known in Greek as [Greek: hippos] (Latin equus, 'the horse'); note the play upon words with the name Hippias.
[64] A tragic poet, who was a great lover of good cheer, it appears.
Aristophanes Complete Works
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