Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol2.djvu/248

624. Then shall I speak before I drink?

. "Drink," quoth'a!

. Why have I crowned myself then, my friend?

. Get out of the way! You would have done such things to us there also.

. How then? don't they also drink in the Assembly?

. "Drink," quoth'a!

. Yes, by Diana! and that too unmixed wine. At any rate their decrees, as many as they make, are, to people considering well, mad ones, like drunken people's. And, by Jove, they make libations too; or, on what account would they make so many prayers, if wine was not present? And they rail at one another too, like drunken men; and the policemen carry out him that plays drunken tricks.

. Go you and sit down; for you are a worthless thing.

. By Jove, upon my word it were better for me not to have a beard; for, as it seems, I shall be parched with thirst. [Goes and sits down.]

. Is there any other who wishes to speak?

. I do.

. Come now, crown yourself! for the business is going on. Come now, see that you speak after the manner of men, and properly, having leaned your body on your staff.

. I should have wished some other one of those accustomed to speak were giving the best advice, in order that