Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/298

268 268 ARISTOPHANES

Poet. Intimations, swift as air,

To the Muses' ear, are carried, Swifter than the speed and force Of the fiery -footed horse ;

Hence, the tidings never tarried. 25

Father, patron, mighty lord,^

Founder of the rising State, What thy bounty can afford.

Be it little, be it great. With a quick resolve, incline ao

To bestow on me and mine. Peisthetairus. This fellow will breed a bustle, and make mischief, If we don't give him a trifle, and get rid of him. You there,^ you 've a spare waistcoat ; pull it off ! And give it this same clever, ingenious poet — 3.5

There, take the waistcoat, friend ! Ye seem to want it ! Poet. Freely, with a thankful heart.

What a bounteous hand bestows, Is received in friendly part ;

But amid the Thracian snows, 40

Or the chilly Scythian plain.

He the wanderer, cold and lonely, With an under-waistcoat only. Must a further wish retain ;

Which, the Muse averse to mention, 45 To your gentle comprehension. Trusts her enigmatic strain. Peisthetcm'us. I comprehend it enough ; you want a jerkin ;

1 The Scholiast informs us that these lines are in ridicule of certain mendieatory passages in the poems of Pindar ; one in particular, ad- dressed to Hiero on the foundation of a new city.

2 This was said to the priest who was conducting a sacrifice.

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