Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/57

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I left our governing people all contriving

To ruin us utterly without loss of time. Dic. It's the only way: it will keep you out of mischief,

Meddling and getting into scrapes. Meg. Aye, yes. Dic. Well, what's your other news? How's corn? What price? Meg. Corn? it's above all price; we worship it. Dic. But salt? You've salt, I reckon— Meg. Salt? how should we?

Have not you seized the salt pans? Dic. No! nor garlic?

Have not ye garlic? Meg. What do ye talk of garlic?

As if you had not wasted and destroyed it,

And grubbed the very roots out of the ground. Dic. Well, what have you got then? Tell us! Can't ye! Meg. (in the tone of a sturdy resolute lie). Pigs—

Pigs truly—pigs forsooth, for sacrifice. Dic. That's well, let's look at 'em. Meg. Aye, they're handsome ones;

You may feel how heavy they are, if ye hold 'em up. Dic. Hey-day! What's this? What's here? Meg. A pig, to be sure. Dic. Do ye say so? Where does it come from? Meg. Come? from Megara.

What, an't it a pig? Dic. No truly, it does not seem so. Meg. Did you ever hear the like? Such an unaccountable

Suspicious fellow! it is not a pig, he says!

But I'll be judged; I'll bet ye a bushel of salt,

It's what we call a natural proper pig. Dic. Perhaps it may, but it's a human pig. Meg. Human! I'm human; and they're mine, that's all.

Whose should they be, do ye think? so far they're human.

But come, will you hear 'em squeak? Dic. Aye, yes, by Jove,

With all my heart. Meg. Come now, pig! now's the time:

Remember what I told ye—squeak directly!

Squeak, can't ye? Curse ye, what's the matter with ye?