Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol1.djvu/192

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. Why then, since you imitate the cocks in all things, do you not both eat dung and sleep on a perch?

. It is not the same thing, my friend; nor would it appear so to Socrates.

. Therefore do not beat me; otherwise you will one day blame yourself.

. Why, how?

. Since I am justly entitled to chastise you; and you to chastise your son, if you should have one.

. But if I should not have one, I shall have wept for nothing, and you will die laughing at me.

. To me indeed, O comrades, he seems to speak justly; and I think we ought to concede to them what is fitting. For it is proper that we should weep, if we do not act justly.

. Consider still another maxim.

. No; for I shall perish if I do.

. And yet perhaps you will not be vexed at suffering what you now suffer.

. How, pray? for inform me what good you will do me by this.

. I will beat my mother, just as I have you.

. What do you say? what do you say? This other, again, is a greater wickedness.

. But what if, having the worst Cause, I shall conquer you in arguing, proving that it is right to beat one's mother?