Sausage-Seller
And that name was mine, nothing can be clearer.
Cleon
Reply and I shall soon see whether you are indeed the man whom the god intended.
[1235]
Firstly, what school did you attend when a child?
Sausage-Seller
It was in the kitchens, where I was taught with cuffs and blows.
Cleon
What's that you say? aside Ah! this is truly what the oracle said.
To the Sausage-Seller And what did you learn from the master of exercises?
Sausage-Seller
I learnt to take a false oath without a smile, when I had stolen something.
Cleon
frightened; aside
[1240]
Oh! Phoebus Apollo, god of Lycia! I am undone!
To the Sausage-Seller And when you had become a man, what trade did you follow?
Sausage-Seller
I sold sausages and did a bit of fornication.
Cleon
in consternation; aside
Oh! my god! I am a lost man!
Ah! still one slender hope remains.to the Sausage-Seller
[1245]
Tell me, was it on the market-place or near the gates that you sold your sausages?
Sausage-Seller
Near the gates, in the market for salted goods.
Cleon
In tragic despair
Alas! I see the prophecy of the god is verily come true. Alas! roll me home. I am a miserable ruined man.
[1250]
Farewell, my chaplet.
'Tis death to me to part with you. So you are to belong to another; 'tis certain he cannot be a greater thief, but perhaps he may be a luckier one.
He gives the chaplet to the Sausage-Seller.
Sausage-Seller
Oh! Zeus, protector of Greece! 'tis to you I owe this victory!
Chorus
Hail! illustrious conqueror, but forget not, that
[1255]
if you have become a great man, 'tis thanks to me; I ask but a little thing; appoint me secretary of the law-court in the room of Phanus.
Demos
to the Sausage-Seller
But what is your name then? Tell me.
Sausage-Seller
My name is Agoracritus, because I have always lived on the agora in the midst of lawsuits.
Demos
Well then, Agoracritus, I stand by you;
[1260]
as for the Paphlagonian, I hand him over to your mercy.
Sausage-Seller
Demos, I will care for you to the best of my power, and all shall admit that no citizen is more devoted than I to this city of simpletons.