Racine: Phaedra

THE KNIGHTS 145
Demosthenes.— Fill me the stoup this instant.
NiciAS [ivith a sort of puzzled acquiescetice].—Well, Bakis,
I've been told, was given to drink ;
He prophesied in his liquor people say.
Demosthenes [with the papers in his hand].—Aye, there it
is—you rascally Paphlagonian
This was the prophecy that you kept so secret.
NiciAS.—What's there ?
Demosthenes.— Why there's a thing to ruin him,
With the manner of his destruction, all foretold.
NiCLAS.—As how ?
Demosthenes [very drimk].—Why the Oracle tells you how
—distinctly
And all about it—in a perspicuous manner
That a jobber in hemp and flax "^
is first ordained
To hold the administration of affairs.
NiciAs.—Well, there's one jobber. Who's the next? Read on
Demosthenes.—A cattle jobber ® must succeed to him.
NiciAS.—More jobbers! well—then what becomes of him?
Demosthenes.—He too shall prosper, till a viler rascal
Shall be raised up, and shall prevail against him.
In the person of a Paphlagonian tanner,
A loud rapacious leather-selling ruffian.
NiciAS.—Is it foretold then, that the cattle jobber
Must be destroyed by the seller of leather?
Demosthenes.— Yes.
NiciAS.—Oh dear, our sellers and jobbers are at an end.
Demosthenes.—Not yet ; there's still another to succeed him.
Of a most uncommon notable occupation.
NiciAS.—Who's that ? Do tell me
Demosthenes.— Must I ?
NiciAs. To be sure.
Demosthenes.—A sausage-seller it is, that supersedes him.
NiciAS.^—A sausage-seller! marvellous indeed.
Most wonderful ! But where can he be found ?
Demosthenes.—We must seek him out.
[Demosthenes rises and bustles up, zvith the action of a person
who, having been drunk, is rousing and recollecting
"> After the death of Pericles, Eucrates • See Note 7.
and Lysicles had each taken the lead * In the tone of Dominie Sampson,
for a short time.