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

First Man
The pest seize you!

Second Man
In the same tone.
It will take you. Then seriously. What? give up your goods! Is there a man of sense who will do such a thing? Giving is not one of our customs. Receiving is another matter; it's the way of the gods themselves. [780] Look at the position of their hands on their statues; when we ask a favour, they present their hands turned palm up so as not to give, but to receive.

First Man
Wretch, let me do what is right. [785] Come, I'll make a bundle of all these things. Where is my strap?

Second Man
Are you really going to carry them in?

First Man
Undoubtedly, and there are my two tripods strung together already.

Second Man
What folly! Not to wait to see what the others do, and then ...

First Man
Well, and then what?

Second Man
[790] ... wait and put it off again.

First Man
What for?

Second Man
That an earthquake may come or an ill-omened flash of lightning, that a black cat may run across the street and no one carry in anything more, you fool!

First Man
It would be a fine thing if I were to find no room left [795] for placing all this.

Second Man
You are much more likely to lose your stuff. As for placing it, you can be at ease, for there will be room enough as long as a month hence.

First Man
Why?

Second Man
I know these people; a decree is readily passed, but it is not so easily attended to.

First Man
All will contribute their property, my friend.

Second Man
But what if they don't?

First Man
But there is no doubt that they will.

Second Man
Insistently.
But anyhow, what if they don't?

First Man
[800] Do not worry; they will.

Second Man
And what if they oppose it?

First Man
We shall compel them to do so.

Second Man
And what if they prove the stronger?

First Man
I shall leave my goods and go off.

Second Man
And what if they sell them for you?

First Man
The plague take you!

Second Man
And if it does?

First Man
It will be a good riddance.

Second Man
In an incredulous tone.
You are really bent on contributing, then?