Aristophanes, Knights
Eugene O'Neill, Jr., Ed.

Nicias
That's one tradesman. And after him, who?

Demosthenes
After him, a sheep-dealer.

Nicias
Two tradesmen, eh? And what is this one's fate?

Demosthenes
To reign until a filthier scoundrel [135] than he arises; then he perishes and in his place the leather-seller appears, the Paphlagonian robber, the bawler, who roars like a torrent.

Nicias
And the leather-seller must destroy the sheep-seller?

Demosthenes
Yes.

Nicias
Oh! woe is me! [140] Where can another seller be found, is there ever a one left?

Demosthenes
There is yet one, who plies a first-rate trade.

Nicias
Tell me, pray, what is that?

Demosthenes
You really want to know?

Nicias
Yes.

Demosthenes
Well then! it's a sausage-seller who must overthrow him.

Nicias
A sausage-seller! Ah! by Poseidon! what a fine trade! [145] But where can this man be found?

Demosthenes
Let's seek him.

Nicias
But look! there he is, going towards the market-place; 'tis the gods, the gods who send him!

Demosthenes
Calling out. This way, this way, oh, lucky sausage-seller, come forward, dear friend, our saviour, the saviour of our city.

Enter Sausage-Seller carrying a basket of his wares.

Sausage-Seller
[150] What is it? Why do you call me?

Demosthenes
Come here, come and learn about your good luck, you who are Fortune's favorite!

Nicias
Come! Relieve him of his basket-tray and tell him the oracle of the god; I will go and look after the Paphlagonian.

He goes into the house.

Demosthenes
[155] First put down all your gear, then worship the earth and the gods.

Sausage-Seller
Done. What is the matter?

Demosthenes
Happiness, riches, power; to-day you have nothing, to-morrow you will have all, oh! chief of happy Athens.

Sausage-Seller
[160] Why not leave me to wash my tripe and to sell my sausages instead of making game of me?

Demosthenes
Oh! the fool! Your tripe! Do you see these tiers of people?

Sausage-Seller
Yes.

Demosthenes
You shall be master to them all, governor [165] of the market, of the harbors, of the Pnyx; you shall trample the Senate under foot, be able to cashier the generals, load them with fetters, throw them into gaol, and you will fornicate in the Prytaneum.

Sausage-Seller
What! I?

Demosthenes
You, without a doubt. But you do not yet see all the glory awaiting you. Stand on your basket [170] and look at all the islands that surround Athens.

Sausage-Seller
I see them. What then?

Demosthenes
Look at the storehouses and the shipping.

Sausage-Seller
Yes, I am looking.

Demosthenes
Exists there a mortal more blest than you? Furthermore, turn your right eye towards Caria and your left toward Carthage!