Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/38

20

Of rustic natures, then delighted most

When from some bold declaimer, right or wrong,

They hear their country's praises and their own;

Delighted, but deluded all the while,

Unconsciously bamboozled and befooled.

And well I know the minds of aged men,

And the malignant pleasure that they feel

In a harsh verdict or an angry vote.

And well I recollect my sufferings past

From Cleon, for my comedy last year;

And how he dragged me to the senate house,

And trod me down, and bellowed over me,

And licked me with the rough side of his tongue;

And mauled me, till I scarce escaped alive,

All battered and bespattered and befouled.

Permit me, therefore, first to clothe myself

In a pathetical and heartrending dress. Chorus. It's no use! mere excuse!

Mere pretence!

Take what you will for your defence,

Anything you think of use,

Even the invisible huge hobgoblin helmet

Of the learned Hieronymus, if you choose.

I care not, I;

You may try

The tricks and turns of Sisyphus in the play;

We grant free leave for all, but no delay. Dic. Well, I must try then to keep up my spirits,

And trudge away to find Euripides.

Holloh! Servant. Who's there? Dic. Euripides within? Serv. Within, yet not within. You comprehend me? Dic. Within and not within! why, what do ye mean? Serv. I speak correctly, old sire! his outward man

Is in the garret writing tragedy;

While his essential being is abroad,