Page:Frogs (Murray 1912).djvu/80

72 'Twere better, ere you taught them, you had died amid their curses!

I gave them canons to apply and squares for marking verses;

Taught them to see, think, understand, to scheme for what they wanted,

To fall in love, think evil, question all things.

Granted, granted!

I put things on the stage that came from daily life and business.

Where men could catch me if I tripped; could listen without dizziness

To things they knew, and judge my art. 1 never crashed and lightened

And bullied people's senses out; nor tried to keep them frightened

With Magic Swans and Aethiop knights, loud barb and clanging vizor!

Then look at my disciples, too, and mark what creatures his are!

Phormisius is his product and the looby lump Megainetus,

All trumpet, lance, moustache, and glare, who twist their clubs of pine at us;

While Cleitophon is mine, sirs, and Theramenes the Matchless!

Theramenes! Ah, that's the man! All danger leaves him scratchless.