Racine: Phaedra

THE KNIGHTS 155
Chorus.— Even in your tender years,
And your early disposition,
You betrayed an inward sense
Of the conscious impudence,
Which constitutes a politician.
Hence you squeeze and drain alone the rich milch kine
of our allies
Whilst the son of Hippodamus licks his lips with long-
ing eyes.
But now, with eager rapture we behold
A mighty miscreant of baser mould
A more consummate ruffian!
An energetic ardent ragamuffin
Behold him there ! He
stands before your eyes.
To bear you down, with a superior frown,
A fiercer stare,
And more incessant and exhaustless lies.
Chorus [to the Sausage-Seller].—Now then do you, that boast
a birth, from whence you might inherit.
And from your breeding have derived a manhood and a
spirit,
Unbroken by the rules of art, untamed by education.
Show forth the native impudence and vigor of the nation
Sausage- Seller.—Well ; if you like, then, I'll describe the
nature of him clearly.
The kind of rogue I've known him for.
Cleon.— My friend, you're somewhat early.
First give me leave to speak.
Sausage-Seller.— I won't, by Jove ! Aye. You may bellow
I'll make you know, before I go, that I'm the baser fellow.
Chorus.—Aye ! stand to that ! Stick to the point ; and for a
further glory,
Say that your family were base, time out mind before ye.
Cleon.—Let me speak first!
Sausage-Seller.— I won't.
Cleon.— You shall, by Jove!
Sausage-Seller.— I won't, by Jove, though
Cleon.—By
Jupiter, I shall burst with rage
Sausage-Seller.— No matter, I'll prevent you.
Chorus.—No; don't prevent, for Heaven's sake! Don't hin-
der him from bursting.