Delphi Complete Works of Aristophanes (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics) by Aristophanes

unscrupulous enemy had brought against him in the Courts of having “slandered the city in the presence of foreigners.” “In this bitterness of spirit the play stands in strong contrast with the good-humoured burlesque of ‘The Acharnians’ and the ‘Peace,’ or, indeed, with any other of the author’s productions which has reached us.”
    The characters are five only. First and foremost comes Demos, ‘The People,’ typifying the Athenian democracy, a rich householder — a self-indulgent, superstitious, weak creature. He has had several overseers or factors in succession, to look after his estate and manage his slaves. The present one is known as ‘the Paphlagonian,’ or sometimes as ‘the Tanner,’ an unprincipled, lying, cheating, pilfering scoundrel, fawning and obsequious to his master, insolent towards his subordinates. Two of these are Nicias and Demosthenes. Here we have real names. Nicias was High Admiral of the Athenian navy at the time, and Demosthenes one of his Vice-Admirals; both held still more important commands later in connection with the Sicilian Expedition of 415-413 B.C. Fear of consequences apparently prevented the poet from doing the same in the case of Cleon, who is, of course, intended under the names of ‘the Paphlagonian’ and ‘the Tanner.’ Indeed, so great was the terror inspired by the great man that no artist was found bold enough to risk his powerful vengeance by caricaturing his features, and no actor dared to represent him on the stage. Aristophanes is said to have played the part himself, with his face, in the absence of a mask, smeared with wine-lees, roughly mimicking the purple and bloated visage of the demagogue. The remaining character is ‘the Sausage-seller,’ who is egged on by Nicias and Demosthenes to oust ‘the Paphlagonian’ from Demos’ favour by outvying him in his own arts of impudent flattery, noisy boasting and unscrupulous allurement. After a fierce and stubbornly contested trial of wits and interchange of ‘Billingsgate,’ ‘the Sausage-seller’ beats his rival at his own weapons and gains his object; he supplants the disgraced favourite, who is driven out of the house with ignominy.
    The Comedy takes its title, as was often the case, from the Chorus, which is composed of Knights — the order of citizens next to the highest at Athens, and embodying many of the old aristocratic preferences and prejudices.
    The drama was adjudged the first prize — the ‘Satyrs’ of Cratinus being placed second — by acclamation, as such a masterpiece of wit and intrepidity certainly deserved to be; but, as usual, the political result was nil. The piece was applauded in the most enthusiastic manner, the satire on the sovereign multitude was forgiven, and — Cleon remained in as much favour as ever.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE
    DEMOSTHENES.
NICIAS.
AGORACRITUS, a Sausage-seller.
CLEON.
DEMOS, an old man, typifying the Athenian people.
CHORUS OF KNIGHTS.
    SCENE: In front of Demos’ house at Athens.

THE KNIGHTS
    DEMOSTHENES. Oh! alas! alas! Oh! woe! oh! woe! Miserable Paphlagonian! may the gods destroy both him and his cursed advice! Since that evil day when this new slave entered the house he has never ceased belabouring us with blows.
    NICIAS. May the plague seize him, the arch-fiend — him and his lying tales!
    DEMOSTHENES. Hah! my poor fellow, what is your condition?
    NICIAS. Very wretched, just like your own.
    DEMOSTHENES. Then come, let us sing a duet of groans in the style of
Olympus.
    DEMOSTHENES AND NICIAS. Boo, hoo! boo, hoo! boo, hoo! boo, hoo! boo, hoo! boo, hoo!!
    DEMOSTHENES. Bah! ’tis lost labour to weep! Enough of groaning! Let us consider how to save our pelts.
    NICIAS. But how to do it! Can you suggest anything?
    DEMOSTHENES. Nay! you begin. I cede you the honour.
    NICIAS. By Apollo! no, not I. Come, have courage! Speak, and then I will say what I think.
    DEMOSTHENES. “Ah! would you but tell me what I should tell you!”
    NICIAS. I dare not. How