aeschylus - Conscious Evolution TV

Cllr. 'Tis an orderly iob, then, to thieve and to rob
and to break into houses by night.
BI. Such modesty tool In whatever they do
they are careful to keep out of sight.
Po. Behold in the cities the Orator tribe;
when poor in their earl y career
How faithful and just to the popular trust,
how true to the State they appear.
When wealth at the City's expense they have
gained,
they are worsened at once by the pelf,
Intriguing the popular cause to defeat,
a ttacking the People itself.
Chr. That is perfectly true though 'tis spoken by
you,
you spiteful malevolent witchl
But still you shall squall for contending that all
had better be poor than be rich.
So don't be elate; for a terrible fate
shall your steps overtake before long.
Po. Why, I haven't yet heard the ghost ofa word
to prove my contention is wrong.
You splutter and try to flutter and fly:
but of argument never a letter.
Chr. Pray why do all people abhor you and
shun?
Po. Because I'm for making them better.
So children, we see, from their paren ts will flee
who would teach them the way they should go.
So hardly we learn what is right to discern;
so few what is best for them know.
Cllr. Then Zeus, I suppose, is mistaken, nor knows
what most for his comfort and bliss is,
Since money and pelf he acquires for himself.
BI. And her to the earth he dismisses.
Po. 0 dullards and blind! full of styles is your
mind;
there are tumours titanic within it.
Zeus wealthy I Not he: he's as poor as can be:
and this I can prove in a minute.
If Zeus be so wealthy, how came it of yore
that out of his riches abounding
He could find but a wreath of wild olive for those
who should win a t the games he was founding,
By all the Hellenes in each fourth year
on Olympia's plains to be holden?
If Zeus were as wealthy and rich as you say,
the wreath should at least have been golden.
Chr. It is plain, I should think, 'tis from love of the
chink
that the conduct you mention arises;
The God is unwilling to lavish a doit
of the money he loves upon prizes.
The rubbish may go to the victors below;
the gold he retains in his coffers.
Po. How dare you produce such a libel on Zeus,
you couple of ignorant scoffers?
'Twere better, I'm sure, to be honest and poor,
than rich and so stingy and screwing.
Chr. Zeus crown you, I pray, with the wild olive
spray,
ARISTOPHANES
Po. To think that you dare to persist and declare
that Poverty does not present you
With all that is noblest and best in your lives!
Chr. Will Hecate's judgement content you?
If you question her which are the better, the rich
or the poor, she will say, I opine,
"Each month do the we-althy a supper provide,
to be used in my service divine,
But the poor lie in wai t for a snatch at the plate,
or e'er it is placed on my shrine."
So away, nor retort with a g-r-r, you degraded
Importunate scold!
Persuade me you may, but I won't be persuaded.
Po. 0 Argos, behold!
Chr. Nay Pauson, your messmate, to aid you invite.
Po. o woe upon woe!
Cm. Be off to the ravens; get out of my sight.
Po. 0 where shall I go?
Cllr. Go? Go to the pillory; don't be so slack,
Nor longer delay.
Po. Ah me, but ye'll speedily send for me back,
Who scout me to-day I
Exit.
Chr. When we send for you, come; not before. So
farewell!
With Wealth as my comrade 'tis better to dwell.
Get you gone, and bemoan your misfortunes alone.
BI. I too have a mind for an opulent life
Of revel and mirth with my children and wife,
Untroubled by Poverty's panics.
And then as I'm passing, all shiny and bright,
From my bath to my supper, what joy and delight
My fingers to snap in disdain at the sight
Of herself and her frowsy mechanics.
CIlr. That cursed witch, thank Heaven, has gone
and left us.
But you and I.will take the God at once
To spend the night inside Asclepius' Temple.
BI. And don't delay one instant, lest there corne
Some other hindrance to the work in hand.
Cllr. Hi I bov there, Cario, fetch me out the
blankets,
And bring the God himself, with due observance,
And whatsoever is prepared within.
After 626 they all quit tile stage. A whole night tJ
supposed to pass, and next day CARlO suddenly
runs in with joyful news. He addresses the CHO­
RUS in the orchestra.
Ca. Here's joy, here's happiness, old friends, for
you
Who, at the feast of Theseus, many a time
Have ladled up small sops of barley-broth!
Here's joy for you and all good folk besides.
Ch. How now, you best of all your fellow-knaves?
You seem to corne a messenger of good.
Ca. With happiest fortune has my master sped,
Or rather Wealth himself; no longer blind,
"He hath relumed the brightness of his eyes,
So kind a Healer hath Asclepius proved."
Ch. (singing) Joy for the news you bring.
Joy! Joy! with shouts I sing.
and send you away to your ruin! Ca. Aye, will you, nill you, it is joy indeed.
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