Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol1.djvu/167

818—838.

. See, see! "Olympian Jupiter!" What folly! To think of your believing in Jupiter, as old as you are!

. Why, pray, did you laugh at this?

. Reflecting that you are a child, and have antiquated notions. Yet, however, approach, that you may know more; and I will tell you a thing, by learning which you will be a man. But see that you do not teach this to any one.

. Well, what is it?

. You swore now by Jupiter.

. I did.

. Seest thou, then, how good a thing is learning? There is no Jupiter, O Phidippides!

. Who then?

. Vortex reigns, having expelled Jupiter.

. Bah! Why do you talk foolishly?

. Be assured that it is so.

. Who says this?

. Socrates the Melian, and Chærephon, who knows the footmarks of fleas.

. Have you arrived at such a pitch of phrensy, that you believe madmen?

. Speak words of good omen, and say nothing bad of clever men and wise; of whom, through frugality, none ever shaved or anointed himself, or went to a bath to wash himself; while you squander my property in bathing, as if I