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24 loudly summons the "Knights" to come to the rescue,—and with the usual rhythmical movement, and rapid chant, the Chorus of Knights sweep up through the orchestra.

They surround and hustle the representative of Cleon, who calls in vain for his partisans to come to his assistance. The Black-pudding-man takes courage, and comes to the front; and a duel in the choicest Athenian Billingsgate takes place, in which the current truths or slanders of the day are paraded, no doubt much to the amusement of an Athenian audience—hardly so to the English reader. The new champion shows himself at least the equal of his antagonist in this kind of warfare, and the Chorus are delighted. "There is something hotter, after all, than fire—a more consummate blackguard has been found than Cleon!" From words the battle proceeds to blows, and the Paphlagonian retires discomfited, threatening