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

Sausage-Seller
[175] Then it's a blessing to be cock-eyed!

Demosthenes
No, but you are the one who is going to trade away all this. According to the oracle you must become the greatest of men.

Sausage-Seller
Just tell me how a sausage-seller can become a great man.

Demosthenes
[180] That is precisely why you will be great, because you are a sad rascal without shame, no better than a common market rogue.

Sausage-Seller
I do not hold myself worthy of wielding power.

Demosthenes
Oh! by the gods! Why do you not hold yourself worthy? Have you then such a good opinion of yourself? [185] Come, are you of honest parentage?

Sausage-Seller
By the gods! No! of very bad indeed.

Demosthenes
Spoilt child of fortune, everything fits together to ensure your greatness.

Sausage-Seller
But I have not had the least education. I can only read, and that very badly.

Demosthenes
[190] That is what may stand in your way, almost knowing how to read. A demagogue must be neither an educated nor an honest man; he has to be an ignoramus and a rogue. But do not, do not let go this gift, which the oracle promises.

Sausage-Seller
[195] But what does the oracle say?

Demosthenes
Faith, it is put together in very fine enigmatical style, as elegant as it is clear:

“When the eagle-tanner with the hooked claws shall seize a stupid dragon, a blood-sucker, it will be an end to the hot Paphlagonian pickled garlic. [200] The god grants great glory to the sausage-sellers unless they prefer to sell their wares.”

Sausage-Seller
In what way does this concern me? Please instruct my ignorance.

Demosthenes
The eagle-tanner is the Paphlagonian.

Sausage-Seller
What do the hooked claws mean?

Demosthenes
It means to say, [205] that he robs and pillages us with his claw-like hands.

Sausage-Seller
And the dragon?

Demosthenes
That is quite clear. The dragon is long and so also is the sausage; the sausage like the dragon is a drinker of blood. Therefore the oracle says, that the dragon [210] will triumph over the eagle-tanner, if he does not let himself be cajoled with words.

Sausage-Seller
The oracles of the gods flatter me! Faith! I do not at all understand how I can be capable of governing the people.