ACCUSER (to his witness). At all events, make a note of his reply.
PHILOCLEON. Listen, instead of going off so abruptly. A woman at Sybaris broke a box.
ACCUSER (to his witness). I again ask you to witness this.
PHILOCLEON. The box therefore had the fact attested, but the woman said, "Never worry about witnessing the matter, but hurry off to buy a cord to tie it together with; 'twill be the more sensible course."
ACCUSER. Oh! go on with your ribaldry until the Archon calls the case.
BDELYCLEON (to Philocleon). No, by Demeter! you stay here no longer! I take you and carry you off.
PHILOCLEON. And what for?
BDELYCLEON. What for? I shall carry you to the house; else there would not be enough witnesses for the accusers.
PHILOCLEON. One day at Delphi, Aesop ...
BDELYCLEON. I don't care a fig for that.
PHILOCLEON. ... was accused of having stolen a sacred vase. But he replied, that the horn beetle ... (Philocleon goes on with his fable while Bdelycleon is carrying him off the scene by main force.)
Studies
