Racine: Phaedra

THE KNIGHTS 151
Oftener than I can repeat it, has the rogue and villain
cheated.
Close around him left and right ; spit upon him ; spurn
and smite
Spit upon him as you see ; spurn and spit at him like me.
But beware, or he'll evade ye, for he knows the private
track,
Where Eucrates " was seen escaping with the mill dust
on his back.
Cleon.—Worthy veterans of the jury, you that either right or
wrong,
With my threepenny provision,^* I've maintained and
cherished long,
Come to my aid! I'm here waylaid—assassinated and
betrayed
Chorus.—Rightly served ! we serve you rightly, for your hungry
love of pelf.
For your gross and greedy rapine, gormandizing by
yourself
You that ere the figs are gathered, pilfer with a privy
twitch
Fat delinquents and defaulters, pulpy, luscious, plump,
and rich
Pinching, fingering, and pulling—tampering, selecting,
culling.
With a nice survey discerning, which are green and
which are turning,
Which are ripe for accusation, forfeiture, and confisca-
tion.
Him besides, the wealthy man, retired upon an easy rent.
Hating and avoiding party, noble-minded, indolent.
Fearful of official snares, intrigues and intricate affairs
Him you mark you fix and hook him, whilst he's gap-
;
ing unawares
At a fling, at once you bring him hither from the Chersonese,"
» He was also an owner of mills, as " Of Thrace. Many Athenians posappears
by the Scholiast. sessed estates, and resided there for a
" The juryman's fee, a means of sub- quiet life,
sistenre to poor old men driven from
their homes by the war.