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Interlude of dancing by the Chorus.
Chremylus
coming out of his house
To say, “Hail! my dear neighbors!” is an old form of greeting and well worn with use; so therefore I embrace you, because you have not crept like tortoises, [325] but have come rushing here in all haste. Now help me to watch carefully and closely over the god. Leader of the Chorus
Be at ease. You shall see with what martial zeal I will guard him. [330] What! we jostle each other at the Assembly for three obols, and am I going to let Plutus in person be stolen from me? Chremylus
But I see Blepsidemus; by his bearing and his haste I can readily see he knows or suspects something. Blepsidemus
[335] What has happened then? Whence, how has Chremylus suddenly grown rich? I don't believe a word of it. Nevertheless, nothing but his sudden fortune was being talked about in the barber-shops. [340] But I am above all surprised that his good fortune has not made him forget his friends; that is not the usual way! Chremylus
By the gods, Blepsidemus, I will hide nothing from you. To-day things are better than yesterday; [345] let us share, for are you not my friend? Blepsidemus
Have you really grown rich as they say? Chremylus
I shall be soon, if the god agrees to it. But there is still some risk to run. Blepsidemus
What risk? Chremylus
Well ... Blepsidemus
Tell me, quick! Chremylus
[350] If we succeed, we are happy for ever, but if we fail, it is all over with us. Blepsidemus
It's a bad business, and one that doesn't please me! To grow rich all at once and yet to be fearful! [355] ah! I suspect something that's little good. Chremylus
What do you mean? Blepsidemus
No doubt you have just stolen some gold and silver from some temple and are repenting. Chremylus
Nay! heaven preserve me from that! Blepsidemus
[360] A truce to idle phrases! the thing is only too apparent, my friend. Chremylus
Don't suspect such a thing of me. Blepsidemus
Alas! then there is no honest man! not one, that can resist the attraction of gold! Chremylus
By Demeter, you have no common sense. Blepsidemus
aside
[365] How he has changed! Chremylus
But, good gods, you are mad, my dear fellow! Blepsidemus
aside
His very look is distraught; he has done some crime! Chremylus
Ah! I know the tune you are playing now; you think I have stolen, [370] and want your share. Blepsidemus
My share of what, pray? Chremylus
You are beside the mark; the thing is quite otherwise. Blepsidemus
Perhaps it's not a theft, but some piece of knavery! Chremylus
You are insane! Blepsidemus
What? You have done no man an injury? Chremylus
No! assuredly not! Blepsidemus
But, great gods, what am [375] I to think? You won't tell me the truth. Chremylus
You accuse me without really knowing anything.
Aristophanes. Wealth. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
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