Racine: Phaedra

THE KNIGHTS 173
Cleon.—I'll claw your entrails out, with these nails of mine.
Sausage-Seller.—I'll pare those nails of yours, from clawing
victuals
At the public table.
Cleon.— I'll drag you to the Assembly
This instant, and accuse ye, and have you punished.
Sausage-Seller.—And I'll bring accusations there against
you,
Twenty for one, and worse than yours tenfold.
Cleon.—Aye—my poor soul ! but they won't mind ye or hear ye,
Whilst I can manage 'em and make fools of 'em.
Sausage- Seller.—You reckon they belong to ye, I suppose?
Cleon.—Why should not they, if I feed and diet 'em ?
Sausage-Seller.—Aye, aye, and like the licorice-greedy
nurses,
You swallow ten for one yourself at least.
For every morsel the poor creatures get.
Cleon.—Moreover, in doing business in the Assembly,
I have such a superior influence and command,
That I can make them close and hard and dry.
Or pass a matter easily, as I please.
Sausage-Seller.—Moreover, in doing business—my band,
Has the same sort of influence and command
And plays at fast and loose, just as it pleases.
Cleon.—You sha'n't insult as you did before the Senate.
Come, come, before the Assembly.
Sausage-Seller [coolly and dryly].—Aye— yes—why not?
With all my heart ! Let's go there—What should hinder
us?
Cleon.—My dear good Demus, do step out a moment
Sausage-Seller.—My dearest little Demus, do step out
Demus.—Who's there? Keep off! What a racket are you
making
Bawling and caterwauling about the door;
To affront the house, and scandalize the neighbors.
Cleon.—Come out, do see yourself, how I'm insulted.
Demus.—Oh, my poor Paphlagonian ! What's the matter?
Who has affronted ye?
•* The scene is supposed to be in front of Demus's house.
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