Clouds (1187-1237)

The ancient Solon was by nature the commons’ friend.

This surely is nothing whatever to the Old and New.

He therefore made the summons for two days, for the Old and New, that the deposits might be made on the first of the month.

Why, pray, did he add the old day?

In order, my good sir, that the defendants, being present a day before, might compromise the matter of their own accord; but if not,

that they might be worried on the morning of the new moon.

Why, then, do the magistrates not receive the deposits on the new moon, but on the Old and New?

They seem to me to do what the forestallers do: in order that they may appreciate the deposits as soon as possible, on this account they have the first pick by one day.

Bravo! Ye wretches, why do you sit senseless, the gain of us wise men, being blocks, ciphers, mere sheep, jars heaped together, wherefore I must sing an encomium upon myself and this my son,

on account of our good fortune.

Then, ought a man to throw away any part of his own property?

Never! But it were better then at once to put away blushes, rather than now to have trouble; since I am now dragging you to be a witness, for the sake of my own money; and further, in addition to this, I shall become an enemy to my fellow-tribesman.

But never, while I live, will I disgrace my country, but will summon Strepsiades.

Who’s there?

For the Old and New.

I call you to witness, that he has named it for two days. For what matter do you summon me?

For the twelve minae, which you received when you were buying the dapple-gray horse.

A horse? Do you not hear? I, whom you all know to hate horsemanship!

And, by Jupiter! You swore by the gods too, that you would repay it.

Ay, by Jove! For then my Phidippides did not yet know the irrefragable argument.

And do you now intend, on this account, to deny the debt?

Why, what good should I get else from his instruction?

And will you be willing to deny these upon oath of the gods?

What gods?

Jupiter, Mercury, and Neptune.

Yes, by Jupiter! And would pay down, too, a three-obol piece besides to swear.

Then may you perish some day for your impudence!

This man would be the better for it if he were cleansed by rubbing with salt.