< Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol1.djvu
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190

THE WASPS.

176—195.

for I perceived him contriving. I have a mind to go in and bring out the ass, that the old man may not even peep out again. [Goes in and returns leading the ass.] Ass, why do you weep? because you are to be sold[1] to-day? Walk quicker. Why do you groan, if you are not carrying any Ulysses?

Xan. But, by Jove, he is carrying some one here[2] below, who has crept under him.

Bdel. Of what sort? Let me see.

Xan. This here. [Points to Philocleon, who is hidden under the ass's belly.]

Bdel. What is[3] this? Pray, who in the world are you, fellow?

Phil. Nobody, by Jove.

Bdel. You Nobody? Of what country?

Phil. Of Ithaca; son of Runaway.[4]

Bdel. In no respect, by Jove, shall you go off with impunity, you Nobody! Draw him quickly from beneath. O most abominable! See where he's crept to! so that he seems to me most like the foal of a summons-witness.[5] [Xanthias and Sosias drag him from under the ass.]

Phil. If you won't let me alone, we will do battle.

Bdel. About what, pray, will you fight with us?

Phil. About the shade of an ass.

Bdel. You are a knave far advanced in artifice,[6] and reckless.

Phil. I a knave? No, by Jove. You are not now aware that I am most excellent. But you will know it, perhaps, when you eat the paunch of an old Heliast.[7]

  1. ↑ The Attics use the form πεπράσομαι as a fut. pass.; not πραθήσομαι—
  2. ↑ Cf. vs. 205, infra. Pax, 840. Aves, 279, 287. Ran. 170.
  3. ↑ Comp. vs. 1509, infra. Aves, 859, 1030, 1495. Lys. 350, 445. Ran. 39, 1209. Plut. 1097. Fragm. 178. Schäfer on Theoc. xix. 8. Soph. Col. 1697.
  4. ↑ This is Elmsley's emendation, which has been admitted by Dindorf.
  5. ↑ "The text plays on the word κλητὴρ, which signifies equally a summons-witness and a packing-ass." Mitch. Liddell (voc. κλητὴρ) more correctly understands it as said παρὰ προσδοκίαν for foal of an ass.
  6. ↑ I have here adopted Mitchell's interpretation. Voss and Florentius Chretien follow the Scholiast, and make it = far from art, i. e. rudis.
  7. ↑ Philocleon understands πονηρὸς and ἅριστος of what is bad or good to eat. Accordingly, instead of paunch of an ass, he substitutes paunch of a Heliast, παρὰ προσδοκίαν.
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