Part 7

DICAEOPOLIS Friends, leave the Laconians out of debate and consider only whether I have not done well to conclude my truce.

CHORUS Done well! when you have treated with a people who know neither gods, nor truth, nor faith.

DICAEOPOLIS We attribute too much to the Laconians; as for myself, I know that they are not the cause of all our troubles.

CHORUS Oh, indeed, rascal! You dare to use such language to me and then expect me to spare you!

DICAEOPOLIS No, no, they are not the cause of all our troubles, and I who address you claim to be able to prove that they have much to complain of in us.

CHORUS This passes endurance; my heart bounds with fury. Thus you dare to defend our enemies.

DICAEOPOLIS Were my head on the block I would uphold what I say and rely on the approval of the people.

CHORUS Comrades, let us hurl our stones and dye this fellow purple.

DICAEOPOLIS What black fire-brand has inflamed your heart! You will not hear me? You really will not, Acharnians?

CHORUS No, a thousand times, no.

DICAEOPOLIS This is a hateful injustice.

CHORUS May I die, if I listen.

DICAEOPOLIS Nay, nay! have mercy, have mercy, Acharnians.

CHORUS You shall die.

DICAEOPOLIS Well, blood for blood! I will kill your dearest friend. I have here the hostages of Acharnae;(1) I shall disembowel them.

f(1) That is, the baskets of charcoal.

CHORUS Acharnians, what means this threat? Has he got one of our children in his house? What gives him such audacity?

DICAEOPOLIS Stone me, if it please you; I shall avenge myself on this. (SHOWS A BASKET.) Let us see whether you have any love for your coals.

CHORUS Great Gods! this basket is our fellow-citizen. Stop, stop, in heaven's name!

DICAEOPOLIS I shall dismember it despite your cries; I will listen to nothing.

CHORUS How! will you kill this coal-basket, my beloved comrade?

DICAEOPOLIS Just now, you would not listen to me.

CHORUS Well, speak now, if you will; tell us, tell us you have a weakness for the Lacedaemonians. I consent to anything; never will I forsake this dear little basket.

DICAEOPOLIS First, throw down your stones.

CHORUS There! 'tis done. And you, do put away your sword.

DICAEOPOLIS Let me see that no stones remain concealed in your cloaks.

CHORUS They are all on the ground; see how we shake our garments. Come, no haggling, lay down your sword; we threw away everything while crossing from one side of the stage to the other.(1)

f(1) The stage of the Greek theatre was much broader, and at the same time shallower, than in a modern playhouse.