Enter Strepsiades with a meal-sack on his shoulder.
Strep.
The fifth, the fourth, the third, after this the second; and then, of all the days I most fear, and dread, and abominate, immediately after this there is the Old and New. For every one to whom I happen to be indebted, swears, and says he will ruin and destroy me, having made his deposits against me; though I only ask what is moderate and just-“My good sir, one part don't take just now; the other part put off I pray; and the other part remit”; they say that thus they will never get back their money, but abuse me, as I am unjust, and say they will go to law with me. Now therefore let them go to law, for it little concerns me, if Phidippides has learned to speak well. I shall soon know by knocking at the thinking-shop.
Knocks at the door.
Boy, I say! Boy, boy!
Enter Socrates
Soc.
Good morning, Strepsiades.
Strep.
The same to you. But first accept this present; for one ought to compliment the teacher with a fee. And tell me about my son, if he has learned that cause, which you just now brought forward.
Soc.
He has learned it.
Strep.
Well done, O Fraud, all-powerful queen!
Soc.
So that you can get clear off from whatever suit you please.
Strep.
Even if witnesses were present when I borrowed the money?
Soc.
Yea, much more! Even if a thousand be present.
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Aristophanes. Clouds. The Comedies of Aristophanes. William James Hickie. London. Bohn. 1853?.
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