I want to survey the plains of the air for you and to parcel them into lots. Pisthetaerus In the name of the gods, who are you? Meton Who am I? Meton, known throughout Greece and at Colonus . Pisthetaerus What are these things? Meton Tools for measuring the air. In truth, the spaces in the air have precisely the form of a furnace. With this bent ruler I draw a line from top to bottom; from one of its points I describe a circle with the compass. Do you understand? Pisthetaerus Not in the least. Meton With the straight ruler I set to work to inscribe a square within this circle; in its center will be the market-place, into which all the straight streets will lead, converging to this center like a star, which, although only orbicular, sends forth its rays in a straight line from all sides. Pisthetaerus A regular Thales! Meton . . . Meton What d'you want with me? Pisthetaerus I want to give you a proof of my friendship. Use your legs. Meton Why, what have I to fear? Pisthetaerus It's the same here as in Sparta . Strangers are driven away, and blows rain down as thick as hail. Meton Is there sedition in your city? Pisthetaerus No, certainly not. Meton What's wrong then? Pisthetaerus We are agreed to sweep all quacks and impostors far from our borders. Meton Then I'll be going. Pisthetaerus I'm afraid it's too late. The thunder growls already. He beats him. Meton Oh, woe! oh, woe! Pisthetaerus I warned you. Now, be off, and do your surveying somewhere else. Meton takes to his heels. He is no sooner gone than an Inspector arrives. Inspector Where are the Proxeni? Pisthetaerus Who is this Sardanapalus? Inspector I have been appointed by lot to come to Nephelococcygia as inspector. Pisthetaerus An inspector! and who sends you here, you rascal? Inspector A decree of Teleas. Pisthetaerus Will you just pocket your salary, do nothing, and get out?