LYCINUS Indeed, you blessed simpleton! Peaceably! They! Why, they came together at full tilt and flung whole cartloads of abuse upon each other, shouting and straining their lungs enough to split them! PAMPHILUS No doubt, Lycinus, they were bickering about their doctrines, as usual, being of different sects?

LYCINUS Not at all; this was something different, for they were of the same sect and agreed in their doctrines. Nevertheless, a trial had been arranged, and the judges, endowed with the deciding vote, were the most prominent and oldest and wisest men in the city, in whose presence one would have been ashamed even to strike a false note, let alone resorting to such shamelessness.

PAMPHILUS Then do please tell me at once the point at issue in the trial, so that I may know what it is that has stirred up so much laughter in you.