Racine: Phaedra

196
ARISTOPHANES
The wreck and ruin of my former self.
Farewell my name and honors 1 Thou, my garland,
successor must wear you now,
Farewell ! my
To shine in new pre-eminence—a rogue,
Perhaps less perfect, but more prosperous!
Sausage-Seller.—O Jove ! Patron of Greece ! the praise be
thine
Demosthenes.— I wish you joy most heartily ; and I hope.
Now you're promoted, you'll remember me.
For helping you to advancement. All I ask
Is Phanus's place to be under-scrivener to you.
Demus [to the Sausage-Seller].—You tell me what's your
name?
Sausage-Seller.— Agoracritus
So called from the Agora where I got my living.
Demus.—With you then, Agoracritus, in your hands
I place myself ; and furthermore consign
This Paphlagonian here to your disposal.
Sausage-Seller.—Then you shall find me, a most aflfectionate
And faithful guardian ; the best minister
That ever served the sovereign of the Cockneys.
[Exeunt Omnes.
Chorus.*—To record to future years
The lordly wealthy charioteers.
Steeds, and cars, and crowns victorious.
These are worthy themes and glorious.
Let the Muse refrain from malice.
Nor molest with idle sallies
Him the poor Lysistratus
Taunted for his empty purse,
Every penny gone and spent.
Lately with Thaumantis sent
On a Delphic embassy,
With a tear in either eye.
Clinging to the deity
To bemoan his misery.
•The actors being withdrawn, the lampoon upon Lysistratus, who having
Chorus remain again in possession of reduced himself to poverty had prothe
theatre. Their first song is a parody cured (by the assistance of his friends)
from Pindar, which is converted into a a lucrative appointment at Delphi.