Racine: Phaedra

19©
ARISTOPHANES
Sausage-Seller.—" And some of mine foretell that you shall
be,
Sovereign of all the world and the Red Sea
And sit on juries in Ecbatana,
Munching sweet buns and biscuit all the day."
Cleon.— " But me Minerva loves, and I can tell
Of a portentous vision that befell
The goddess in my sleep appeared to me,
Holding a flagon, as it seemed to be,
From which she poured upon the old man's crown
Wealth, health, and peace, like ointment running down."
Sausage-Seller.— " And I too dreamt a dream, and it was this
Minerva came from the Acropolis,
There came likewise, her serpent and her owl
And in her hand she held a certain bowl
And poured ambrosia on the old man's head,
And salt-fish pickle upon yours instead."
Demus.—Well, Glanis is the cleverest after all.
And therefore I'm resolved, from this time forth,
To put myself into your charge and keeping;
To be tended in my old age and taken care of.
and see how regularly
Cleon.—No, do pray wait a little ;
I'll furnish you with a daily dole of barley.
Demus.—Don't tell me of barley ! I can't bear to hear of it
I've been cajoled and choused more than enough,
By Thouphanes ^^ and yourself this long time past.
Cleon.—Then I'll provide you delicate wheaten flour.
Sausage-Seller.—And I'll provide you manchets, and roast
meat.
And messes piping hot that cry " Come eat me."
Demus.—Make haste then, both of ye. Whatever you do—
And whichever of the two befriends me most,
I'll give him up the management of the State.
Cleon.—Well, I'll be first then.
Sausage-Seller.— No, you sha'n't, 'tis I.
{Both run off; but the Sausage-Seller contrives to get the start.
Chorus.— Worthy Demus ! your estate
Is a glorious thing we own
The haughtiest of the proud and great
Watch and tremble at your frown
•* An adherent of Cleon.