Part 2

HERALD Move on up, move on, move on, to get within the consecrated area.(1)

f(1) Shortly before the meeting of the Assembly, a number of young pigs were immolated and a few drops of their blood were sprinkled on the seats of the Prytanes; this sacrifice was in honour of Ceres.

AMPHITHEUS Has anyone spoken yet?

HERALD Who asks to speak?

AMPHITHEUS I do.

HERALD Your name?

AMPHITHEUS Amphitheus.

HERALD You are no man.(1)

f(1) The name, Amphitheus, contains (the Greek) word (for) 'god.'

AMPHITHEUS No! I am an immortal! Amphitheus was the son of Ceres and Triptolemus; of him was born Celeus. Celeus wedded Phaenerete, my grandmother, whose son was Lucinus, and, being born of him I am an immortal; it is to me alone that the gods have entrusted the duty of treating with the Lacedaemonians. But, citizens, though I am immortal, I am dying of hunger; the Prytanes give me naught.(1)

f(1) Amongst other duties, it was the office of the Prytanes to look after the wants of the poor.

A PRYTANIS Guards!

AMPHITHEUS Oh, Triptolemus and Ceres, do ye thus forsake your own blood?

DICAEOPOLIS Prytanes, in expelling this citizen, you are offering an outrage to the Assembly. He only desired to secure peace for us and to sheathe the sword.

PRYTANIS Sit down and keep silence!

DICAEOPOLIS No, by Apollo, I will not, unless you are going to discuss the question of peace.

HERALD The ambassadors, who are returned from the Court of the King!

DICAEOPOLIS Of what King? I am sick of all those fine birds, the peacock ambassadors and their swagger.

HERALD Silence!

DICAEOPOLIS Oh! oh! by Ecbatana,(1) what a costume!

f(1) The summer residence of the Great King.

AN AMBASSADOR During the archonship of Euthymenes, you sent us to the Great King on a salary of two drachmae per diem.

DICAEOPOLIS Ah! those poor drachmae!

AMBASSADOR We suffered horribly on the plains of the Cayster, sleeping under a tent, stretched deliciously on fine chariots, half dead with weariness.

DICAEOPOLIS And I was very much at ease, lying on the straw along the battlements!(1)

f(1) Referring to the hardships he had endured garrisoning the walls of Athens during the Lacedaemonian invasions early in the War.

AMBASSADOR Everywhere we were well received and forced to drink delicious wine out of golden or crystal flagons....

DICAEOPOLIS Oh, city of Cranaus,(1) thy ambassadors are laughing at thee!