Racine: Phaedra

i6o
ARISTOPHANES
Sausage-Seller.—But if by chance they spied it, I contrived
to hide it handily;
Clapping it in between my hams, tight and close and
even;
Calling on all the powers above, and all the gods in
heaven
And there I stood, and made it good, with staring and
forswearing.
So that a statesman of the time, a speaker shrewd and
witty.
Was heard to say, " That boy one day will surely rule
the city."
Chorus.— 'Twas fairly guessed, by the true test, by your ad-
dress and daring,
First in stealing, then concealing, and again in swearing.
Cleon.—I'll settle ye ! Yes, both of ye ! the storm of elocu-
tion
Is rising here within my breast, to drive you to con-
fusion,
And with a wild commotion, overwhelm the land and
ocean.
Sausage- Seller.—Then I shall hand my sausages, and reef
'em close and tight.
And steer away before the wind, and run you out of
sight.
Demosthenes,—And I shall go, to the hold below, to see that
all is right. [Exit.
Cleon.— By the holy goddess I declare.
Rogue and robber as you are,
I'll not brook it, or overlook it;
The public treasure that you stole,
I'll force you to refund the whole . . .
Chorus.— (Keep near and by—the gale grows high.)
Cleon [in continuation] — ... Ten talents, I could prove
it here,
Were sent to you from Potidea.
Sausage- Seller,—Well, will you take a single one
To stop your bawling and have done?
Chorus.— ^Yes, I'll be bound—he'll compound,
And take a share—the wind grows fair.