---
title: "Clouds · Νεφέλαι"
author: "Aristophanes"
translator: "William James Hickie"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
section: 1 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/aristophanes-clouds/1/
cite: "Aristophanes, tr. William James Hickie, Clouds · Νεφέλαι, section 1. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/aristophanes-clouds/1/"
---

# Clouds · Νεφέλαι

*Aristophanes, tr. William James Hickie*

A debtor enrols in Socrates’ Thinkery to learn how to talk his way out of paying.

> Greek: ed. F. W. Hall, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0019.tlg003, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: William James Hickie, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0019.tlg003.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 1. Lines 1–485

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/aristophanes-clouds/1/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/aristophanes-clouds/1/#p-N

[¶0] Scene: The interior of a sleeping-apartment: Strepsiades, Phidippides, and two servants are in their beds; a small house is seen at a distance. Time: midnight.
Strepsiades.: (sitting up in his bed).
Ah me! Ah me! O King Jupiter, of what a terrible length the nights are! Will it never be day? And yet long since I heard the cock.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἰοὺ ἰού·
ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ τὸ χρῆμα τῶν νυκτῶν ὅσον·
ἀπέραντον. οὐδέποθʼ ἡμέρα γενήσεται;
καὶ μὴν πάλαι γʼ ἀλεκτρυόνος ἤκουσʼ ἐγώ·

[¶1] My domestics are snoring; but they would not have done so heretofore! May you perish then, O war! For many reasons; because I may not even punish my domestics. Neither does this excellent youth awake through the night; but takes his ease,
wrapped up in five blankets. Well, if it is the fashion, let us snore wrapped up.
Lies down, and then almost immediately starts up again.

> Greek: οἱ δʼ οἰκέται ῥέγκουσιν· ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἂν πρὸ τοῦ.
ἀπόλοιο δῆτʼ ὦ πόλεμε πολλῶν οὕνεκα,
ὅτʼ οὐδὲ κολάσʼ ἔξεστί μοι τοὺς οἰκέτας.
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὁ χρηστὸς οὑτοσὶ νεανίας
ἐγείρεται τῆς νυκτός, ἀλλὰ πέρδεται
ἐν πέντε σισύραις ἐγκεκορδυλημένος.
ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ ῥέγκωμεν ἐγκεκαλυμμένοι.

[¶2] But I am not able, miserable man, to sleep, being tormented by my expenses, and my stud of horses, and my debts, through this son of mine. He with his long hair,
is riding horses and driving curricles, and dreaming of horses; while I am driven to distraction, as I see the moon bringing on the twentieths; for the interest is running on. Boy! Light a lamp, and bring forth my tablets, that I may take them and read
to how many I am indebted, and calculate the interest. Enter boy with a light and tablets. Come, let me see; what do I owe? Twelve minae to Pasias. Why twelve minae to Pasias? Why did I borrow them? When I bought the blood-horse. Ah me, unhappy! Would that it had had its eye knocked out with a stone first!
Phidippides.: (talking in his sleep).

> Greek: ἀλλʼ οὐ δύναμαι δείλαιος εὕδειν δακνόμενος
ὑπὸ τῆς δαπάνης καὶ τῆς φάτνης καὶ τῶν χρεῶν
διὰ τουτονὶ τὸν υἱόν. ὁ δὲ κόμην ἔχων
ἱππάζεταί τε καὶ ξυνωρικεύεται
ὀνειροπολεῖ θʼ ἵππους· ἐγὼ δʼ ἀπόλλυμαι
ὁρῶν ἄγουσαν τὴν σελήνην εἰκάδας·
οἱ γὰρ τόκοι χωροῦσιν. ἅπτε παῖ λύχνον,
κἄκφερε τὸ γραμματεῖον, ἵνʼ ἀναγνῶ λαβὼν
ὁπόσοις ὀφείλω καὶ λογίσωμαι τοὺς τόκους.
φέρʼ ἴδω τί ὀφείλω; δώδεκα μνᾶς Πασίᾳ.
τοῦ δώδεκα μνᾶς Πασίᾳ; τί ἐχρησάμην;
ὅτʼ ἐπριάμην τὸν κοππατίαν. οἴμοι τάλας,
εἴθʼ ἐξεκόπην πρότερον τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν λίθῳ.

[¶3] You are acting unfairly, Philo! Drive on your own course.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
Φίλων ἀδικεῖς· ἔλαυνε τὸν σαυτοῦ δρόμον.

[¶4] Strepsiades.:
This is the bane that has destroyed me; for even in his sleep he dreams about horsemanship.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τοῦτʼ ἔστι τουτὶ τὸ κακὸν ὅ μʼ ἀπολώλεκεν·
ὀνειροπολεῖ γὰρ καὶ καθεύδων ἱππικήν.

[¶5] Phidippides.:
How many courses will the war-chariots run?

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
πόσους δρόμους ἐλᾷ τὰ πολεμιστήρια;

[¶6] Strepsiades.:
Many courses do you drive me, your father. But what debt came upon me after Pasias? Three minae to Amynias for a little chariot and pair of wheels.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἐμὲ μὲν σὺ πολλοὺς τὸν πατέρʼ ἐλαύνεις δρόμους.
ἀτὰρ τί χρέος ἔβα με μετὰ τὸν Πασίαν;
τρεῖς μναῖ διφρίσκου καὶ τροχοῖν Ἀμυνίᾳ.

[¶7] Phidippides.:
Lead the horse home, after having given him a good rolling.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
ἄπαγε τὸν ἵππον ἐξαλίσας οἴκαδε.

[¶8] Strepsiades.:
O foolish youth, you have rolled me out of my possessions; since I have been cast in suits, and others say that they will have surety given them for the interest.
Phidippides.: (awakening).
Pray, father, why are you peevish, and toss about the whole night?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἀλλʼ ὦ μέλʼ ἐξήλικας ἐμέ γʼ ἐκ τῶν ἐμῶν,
ὅτε καὶ δίκας ὤφληκα χἄτεροι τόκου
ἐνεχυράσεσθαί φασιν.
Φειδιππίδης:
ἐτεὸν ὦ πάτερ
τί δυσκολαίνεις καὶ στρέφει τὴν νύχθʼ ὅλην;

[¶9] Strepsiades.:
A bailiff out of the bedclothes is biting me.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
δάκνει μὲ δήμαρχός τις ἐκ τῶν στρωμάτων.

[¶10] Phidippides.:
Suffer me, good sir, to sleep a little.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
ἔασον ὦ δαιμόνιε καταδαρθεῖν τί με.

[¶11] Strepsiades.:
Then, do you sleep on; but know that all these debts will turn on your head. Phidippides falls asleep again. Alas! Would that the match-maker had perished miserably, who induced me to marry your mother. For a country life used to be most agreeable to me, dirty, untrimmed, reclining at random,
abounding in bees, and sheep, and oil-cake. Then I, a rustic, married a niece of Megacles, the son of Megacles, from the city, haughty, luxurious, and Coesyrafied. When I married her, I lay with her
redolent of new wine, of the cheese-crate, and abundance of wool; but she, on the contrary, of ointment, saffron, wanton-kisses, extravagance, gluttony, and of Colias and Genetyllis. I will not indeed say that she was idle; but she wove. And I used to show her this cloak
by way of a pretext and say “Wife, you weave at a great rate.”
Servant re-enters.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
σὺ δʼ οὖν κάθευδε· τὰ δὲ χρέα ταῦτʼ ἴσθʼ ὅτι
ἐς τὴν κεφαλὴν ἅπαντα τὴν σὴν τρέψεται.
φεῦ.
εἴθʼ ὤφελʼ ἡ προμνήστριʼ ἀπολέσθαι κακῶς,
ἥτις με γῆμʼ ἐπῆρε τὴν σὴν μητέρα·
ἐμοὶ γὰρ ἦν ἄγροικος ἥδιστος βίος
εὐρωτιῶν, ἀκόρητος, εἰκῇ κείμενος,
βρύων μελίτταις καὶ προβάτοις καὶ στεμφύλοις.
ἔπειτʼ ἔγημα Μεγακλέους τοῦ Μεγακλέους
ἀδελφιδῆν ἄγροικος ὢν ἐξ ἄστεως,
σεμνὴν τρυφῶσαν ἐγκεκοισυρωμένην.
ταύτην ὅτʼ ἐγάμουν, συγκατεκλινόμην ἐγὼ
ὄζων τρυγὸς τρασιᾶς ἐρίων περιουσίας,
ἡ δʼ αὖ μύρου κρόκου καταγλωττισμάτων,
δαπάνης λαφυγμοῦ Κωλιάδος Γενετυλλίδος.
οὐ μὴν ἐρῶ γʼ ὡς ἀργὸς ἦν, ἀλλʼ ἐσπάθα.
ἐγὼ δʼ ἂν αὐτῇ θοἰμάτιον δεικνὺς τοδὶ
πρόφασιν ἔφασκον, ὦ γύναι λίαν σπαθᾷς.

[¶12] Servant.:
We have no oil in the lamp.

> Greek: Θεράπων:
ἔλαιον ἡμῖν οὐκ ἔνεστʼ ἐν τῷ λύχνῳ.

[¶13] Strepsiades.:
Ah me! Why did you light the thirsty lamp? Come hither that you may weep!
Servant.:
For what, pray, shall I weep?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
οἴμοι· τί γάρ μοι τὸν πότην ἧπτες λύχνον;
δεῦρʼ ἔλθʼ ἵνα κλάῃς.
Θεράπων:
διὰ τί δῆτα κλαύσομαι;

[¶14] Strepsiades.:
Because you put in one of the thick wicks.
Servant runs out.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὅτι τῶν παχειῶν ἐνετίθεις θρυαλλίδων.

[¶15] After this, when this son was born to us, to me, forsooth, and to my excellent wife, we squabbled then about the name: for she was for adding hippos to the name, Xanthippus, or Charippus, or Callipides;
but I was for giving him the name of his grandfather, Phidonides. For a time therefore we disputed; and then at length we agreed, and called him Phidippides. She used to take this son and fondle him, saying, “When you, being grown up, shall drive your chariot to the city,”
“like Megacles, with a xystis.” But I used to say, “Nay, rather, when dressed in a leathern jerkin, you shall drive goats from Phelleus, like your father.” He paid no attention to my words, but poured a horse-fever over my property.

> Greek: μετὰ ταῦθʼ, ὅπως νῷν ἐγένεθʼ υἱὸς οὑτοσί,
ἐμοί τε δὴ καὶ τῇ γυναικὶ τἀγαθῇ,
περὶ τοὐνόματος δὴ ʼντεῦθεν ἐλοιδορούμεθα·
ἡ μὲν γὰρ ἵππον προσετίθει πρὸς τοὔνομα,
Ξάνθιππον ἤ Χαριππον ἢ Καλλιππίδην,
ἐγὼ δὲ τοῦ πάππου ʼτιθέμην Φειδωνίδην.
τέως μὲν οὖν ἐκρινόμεθʼ· εἶτα τῷ χρόνῳ
κοινῇ ξυνέβημεν κἀθέμεθα Φειδιππίδην.
τοῦτον τὸν υἱὸν λαμβάνουσʼ ἐκορίζετο,
ὅταν σὺ μέγας ὢν ἅρμʼ ἐλαύνῃς πρὸς πόλιν,
ὥσπερ Μεγακλέης, ξυστίδʼ ἔχων. ἐγὼ δʼ ἔφην,
ὅταν μὲν οὖν τὰς αἶγας ἐκ τοῦ φελλέως,
ὥσπερ ὁ πατήρ σου, διφθέραν ἐνημμένος.
ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐπίθετο τοῖς ἐμοῖς οὐδὲν λόγοις,
ἀλλʼ ἵππερόν μου κατέχεεν τῶν χρημάτων.

[¶16] Now, therefore, by meditating the whole night, I have discovered one path for my course extraordinarily excellent; to which if I persuade this youth I shall be saved. But first I wish to awake him. How then can I awake him in the most agreeable manner? How?

> Greek: νῦν οὖν ὅλην τὴν νύκτα φροντίζων ὁδοῦ
μίαν ηὗρον ἀτραπὸν δαιμονίως ὑπερφυᾶ,
ἣν ἢν ἀναπείσω τουτονί, σωθήσομαι.
ἀλλʼ ἐξεγεῖραι πρῶτον αὐτὸν βούλομαι.
πῶς δῆτʼ ἂν ἥδιστʼ αὐτὸν ἐπεγείραιμι; πῶς;

[¶17] Phidippides, my little Phidippides?
Phidippides.:
What, father?

> Greek: Φειδιππίδη Φειδιππίδιον.
Φειδιππίδης:
τί ὦ πάτερ;

[¶18] Strepsiades.:
Kiss me, and give me your right hand!

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
κύσον με καὶ τὴν χεῖρα δὸς τὴν δεξιάν.

[¶19] Phidippides.:
There. What’s the matter?
Strepsiades.:
Tell me, do you love me?

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
ἰδού. τί ἔστιν;
Στρεψιάδης:
εἰπέ μοι, φιλεῖς ἐμέ;

[¶20] Phidippides.:
Yes, by this Equestrian Neptune.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
νὴ τὸν Ποσειδῶ τουτονὶ τὸν ἵππιον.

[¶21] Strepsiades.:
Nay, do not by any means mention this Equestrian to me, for this god is the author of my misfortunes. But, if you really love me from your heart, my son, obey me.
Phidippides.:
In what then, pray, shall I obey you?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
μὴ ʼμοί γε τοῦτον μηδαμῶς τὸν ἵππιον·
οὗτος γὰρ ὁ θεὸς αἴτιός μοι τῶν κακῶν.
ἀλλʼ εἴπερ ἐκ τῆς καρδίας μʼ ὄντως φιλεῖς,
ὦ παῖ πιθοῦ.
Φειδιππίδης:
τί οὖν πίθωμαι δῆτά σοι;

[¶22] Strepsiades.:
Reform your habits as quickly as possible, and go and learn what I advise.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἔκστρεψον ὡς τάχιστα τοὺς σαυτοῦ τρόπους,
καὶ μάνθανʼ ἐλθὼν ἃν ἐγὼ παραινέσω.

[¶23] Phidippides.:
Tell me now, what do you prescribe?
Strepsiades.:
And will you obey me at all?
Phidippides.:
By Bacchus, I will obey you.
Strepsiades.:
Look this way then! Do you see this little door and little house?

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
λέγε δή, τί κελεύεις;
Στρεψιάδης:
καί τι πείσει;
Φειδιππίδης:
πείσομαι
νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον.
Στρεψιάδης:
δεῦρό νυν ἀπόβλεπε.
ὁρᾷς τὸ θύριον τοῦτο καὶ τᾠκίδιον;

[¶24] Phidippides.:
I see it. What then, pray, is this, father?

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
ὁρῶ. τί οὖν τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν ἐτεὸν ὦ πάτερ;

[¶25] Strepsiades.:
This is a thinking-shop of wise spirits.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ψυχῶν σοφῶν τοῦτʼ ἐστὶ φροντιστήριον.

[¶26] There dwell men who in speaking of the heavens persuade people that it is an oven, and that it encompasses us, and that we are the embers. These men teach, if one give them money, to conquer in speaking, right or wrong.

> Greek: ἐνταῦθʼ ἐνοικοῦσʼ ἄνδρες, οἳ τὸν οὐρανὸν
λέγοντες ἀναπείθουσιν ὡς ἔστιν πνιγεύς,
κἄστιν περὶ ἡμᾶς οὗτος, ἡμεῖς δʼ ἄνθρακες.
οὗτοι διδάσκουσʼ, ἀργύριον ἤν τις διδῷ,
λέγοντα νικᾶν καὶ δίκαια κἄδικα.

[¶27] Phidippides.:
Who are they?
Strepsiades.:
I do not know the name accurately. They are minute philosophers, noble and excellent.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
εἰσὶν δὲ τίνες;
Στρεψιάδης:
οὐκ οἶδʼ ἀκριβῶς τοὔνομα·
μεριμνοφροντισταὶ καλοί τε κἀγαθοί.

[¶28] Phidippides.:
Bah! They are rogues; I know them. You mean the quacks, the pale-faced wretches, the bare-footed fellows, of whose numbers are the miserable Socrates and Chaerephon.
Strepsiades.:
Hold! Hold! Be silent! Do not say anything foolish. But, if you have any concern for your father’s patrimony, become one of them, having given up your horsemanship.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
αἰβοῖ πονηροί γʼ, οἶδα. τοὺς ἀλαζόνας
τοὺς ὠχριῶντας τοὺς ἀνυποδήτους λέγεις,
ὧν ὁ κακοδαίμων Σωκράτης καὶ Χαιρεφῶν.
Στρεψιάδης:
ἢ ἢ σιώπα· μηδὲν εἴπῃς νήπιον.
ἀλλʼ εἴ τι κήδει τῶν πατρῴων ἀλφίτων,
τούτων γενοῦ μοι σχασάμενος τὴν ἱππικήν.

[¶29] Phidippides.:
I would not, by Bacchus, even if you were to give me the pheasants which Leogoras rears!

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
οὐκ ἂν μὰ τὸν Διόνυσον, εἰ δοίης γέ μοι
τοὺς φασιανοὺς οὓς τρέφει Λεωγόρας.

[¶30] Strepsiades.:
Go, I entreat you, dearest of men, go and be taught.
Phidippides.:
Why, what shall I learn?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἴθʼ ἀντιβολῶ σʼ ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνθρώπων ἐμοὶ
ἐλθὼν διδάσκου.
Φειδιππίδης:
καὶ τί σοι μαθήσομαι;

[¶31] Strepsiades.:
They say that among them are both the two causes—the better cause, whichever that is, and the worse: they say that the one of these two causes, the worse, prevails,
though it speaks on the unjust side. If, therefore you learn for me this unjust cause, I would not pay any one, not even an obolus of these debts, which I owe at present on your account.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
εἶναι παρʼ αὐτοῖς φασιν ἄμφω τὼ λόγω,
τὸν κρείττονʼ, ὅστις ἐστί, καὶ τὸν ἥττονα.
τούτοιν τὸν ἕτερον τοῖν λόγοιν, τὸν ἥττονα,
νικᾶν λέγοντά φασι τἀδικώτερα.
ἢν οὖν μάθῃς μοι τὸν ἄδικον τοῦτον λόγον,
ἃ νῦν ὀφείλω διὰ σέ, τούτων τῶν χρεῶν
οὐκ ἂν ἀποδοίην οὐδʼ ἂν ὀβολὸν οὐδενί.

[¶32] Phidippides.:
I can not comply; for I should not dare to look upon the knights, having lost all my colour.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
οὐκ ἂν πιθοίμην· οὐ γὰρ ἂν τλαίην ἰδεῖν
τοὺς ἱππέας τὸ χρῶμα διακεκναισμένος.

[¶33] Strepsiades.:
Then, by Ceres, you shall not eat any of my good! Neither you, nor your blood-horse; but I will drive you out of my house to the crows.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
οὐκ ἄρα μὰ τὴν Δήμητρα τῶν γʼ ἐμῶν ἔδει,
οὔτʼ αὐτὸς οὔθʼ ὁ ζύγιος οὔθʼ ὁ σαμφόρας·
ἀλλʼ ἐξελῶ σʼ ἐς κόρακας ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας.

[¶34] Phidippides.:
My uncle Megacles will not permit me to be without a horse. But I’ll go in, and pay no heed to you.
Exit Phidippides.

> Greek: Φειδιππίδης:
ἀλλʼ οὐ περιόψεταί μʼ ὁ θεῖος Μεγακλέης
ἄνιππον. ἀλλʼ εἴσειμι, σοῦ δʼ οὐ φροντιῶ.

[¶35] Strepsiades.:
Though fallen, still I will not lie prostrate: but having prayed to the gods, I will go myself to the thinking-shop and get taught. How, then, being an old man,
shall I learn the subtleties of refined disquisitions? I must go. Why thus do I loiter and not knock at the door? Knocks at the door. Boy! Little boy!
Disciple.: (from within).

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἐγὼ μέντοι πεσών γε κείσομαι,
ἀλλʼ εὐξάμενος τοῖσιν θεοῖς διδάξομαι
αὐτὸς βαδίζων ἐς τὸ φροντιστήριον.
πῶς οὖν γέρων ὢν κἀπιλήσμων καὶ βραδὺς
λόγων ἀκριβῶν σχινδαλάμους μαθήσομαι;
ἰτητέον. τί ταῦτʼ ἔχων στραγγεύομαι,
ἀλλʼ οὐχὶ κόπτω τὴν θύραν; παῖ παιδίον.

[¶36] Go to the devil! Who it is that knocked at the door?

> Greek: Μαθητής:
βάλλʼ ἐς κόρακας· τίς ἐσθʼ ὁ κόψας τὴν θύραν;

[¶37] Strepsiades.:
Strepsiades, the son of Phidon, of Cicynna.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
Φείδωνος υἱὸς Στρεψιάδης Κικυννόθεν.

[¶38] Disciple.:
You are a stupid fellow, by Jove! who have kicked against the door so very carelessly, and have caused the miscarriage of an idea which I had conceived.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἀμαθής γε νὴ Δίʼ ὅστις οὑτωσὶ σφόδρα
ἀπεριμερίμνως τὴν θύραν λελάκτικας
καὶ φροντίδʼ ἐξήμβλωκας ἐξηυρημένην.

[¶39] Strepsiades.:
Pardon me; for I dwell afar in the country. But tell me the thing which has been made to miscarry.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
σύγγνωθί μοι· τηλοῦ γὰρ οἰκῶ τῶν ἀγρῶν.
ἀλλʼ εἰπέ μοι τὸ πρᾶγμα τοὐξημβλωμένον.

[¶40] Disciple.:
It is not lawful to mention it, except to disciples.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἀλλʼ οὐ θέμις πλὴν τοῖς μαθηταῖσιν λέγειν.

[¶41] Strepsiades.:
Tell it, then, to me without fear; for I here am come as a disciple to the thinking-shop.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
λέγε νυν ἐμοὶ θαρρῶν· ἐγὼ γὰρ οὑτοσὶ
ἥκω μαθητὴς ἐς τὸ φροντιστήριον.

[¶42] Disciple.:
I will tell you; but you must regard these as mysteries. Socrates lately asked Chaerephon about a flea, how many of its own feet it jumped; for after having bit the eyebrow of Chaerephon, it leaped away onto the head of Socrates.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
λέξω. νομίσαι δὲ ταῦτα χρὴ μυστήρια.
ἀνήρετʼ ἄρτι Χαιρεφῶντα Σωκράτης
ψύλλαν ὁπόσους ἅλλοιτο τοὺς αὑτῆς πόδας·
δακοῦσα γὰρ τοῦ Χαιρεφῶντος τὴν ὀφρῦν
ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τὴν Σωκράτους ἀφήλατο.

[¶43] Strepsiades.:
How then did he measure this?
Disciple.:
Most cleverly. He melted some wax; and then took the flea
and dipped its feet in the wax; and then a pair of Persian slippers stuck to it when cooled. Having gently loosened these, he measured back the distance.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
πῶς δῆτα διεμέτρησε;
Μαθητής:
δεξιώτατα.
κηρὸν διατήξας, εἶτα τὴν ψύλλαν λαβὼν
ἐνέβαψεν ἐς τὸν κηρὸν αὐτῆς τὼ πόδε,
κᾆτα ψυχείσῃ περιέφυσαν Περσικαί.
ταύτας ὑπολύσας ἀνεμέτρει τὸ χωρίον.

[¶44] Strepsiades.:
O King Jupiter! What subtlety of thought!

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ τῆς λεπτότητος τῶν φρενῶν.

[¶45] Disciple.:
What then would you say if you heard another contrivance of Socrates?
Strepsiades.:
Of what kind? Tell me, I beseech you!

> Greek: Μαθητής:
τί δῆτʼ ἂν ἕτερον εἰ πύθοιο Σωκράτους
φρόντισμα;
Στρεψιάδης:
ποῖον; ἀντιβολῶ κάτειπέ μοι.

[¶46] Disciple.:
Chaerephon the Sphettian asked him whether he thought gnats buzzed through the mouth or the breech.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἀνήρετʼ αὐτὸν Χαιρεφῶν ὁ Σφήττιος
ὁπότερα τὴν γνώμην ἔχοι, τὰς ἐμπίδας
κατὰ τὸ στόμʼ ᾄδειν ἢ κατὰ τοὐρροπύγιον.

[¶47] Strepsiades.:
What, then, did he say about the gnat?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί δῆτʼ ἐκεῖνος εἶπε περὶ τῆς ἐμπίδος;

[¶48] Disciple.:
He said the intestine of the gnat was narrow and that the wind went forcibly through it, being slender, straight to the breech; and then that the rump, being hollow where it is adjacent to the narrow part, resounded through the violence of the wind.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἔφασκεν εἶναι τοὔντερον τῆς ἐμπίδος
στενόν· διὰ λεπτοῦ δʼ ὄντος αὐτοῦ τὴν πνοὴν
βίᾳ βαδίζειν εὐθὺ τοὐρροπυγίου·
ἔπειτα κοῖλον πρὸς στενῷ προσκείμενον
τὸν πρωκτὸν ἠχεῖν ὑπὸ βίας τοῦ πνεύματος.

[¶49] Strepsiades.:
The rump of the gnats then is a trumpet! Oh, thrice happy he for his sharp-sightedness! Surely a defendant might easily get acquitted who understands the intestine of the gnat.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
σάλπιγξ ὁ πρωκτός ἐστιν ἄρα τῶν ἐμπίδων.
ὦ τρισμακάριος τοῦ διεντερεύματος.
ἦ ῥᾳδίως φεύγων ἂν ἀποφύγοι δίκην
ὅστις δίοιδε τοὔντερον τῆς ἐμπίδος.

[¶50] Disciple.:
But he was lately deprived of a great idea by a lizard.
Strepsiades.:
In what way? Tell me.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
πρώην δέ γε γνώμην μεγάλην ἀφῃρέθη
ὑπʼ ἀσκαλαβώτου.
Στρεψιάδης:
τίνα τρόπον; κάτειπέ μοι.

[¶51] Disciple.:
As he was investigating the courses of the moon and her revolutions, then as he was gaping upward a lizard in the darkness dropped upon him from the roof.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ζητοῦντος αὐτοῦ τῆς σελήνης τὰς ὁδοὺς
καὶ τὰς περιφορὰς εἶτʼ ἄνω κεχηνότος
ἀπὸ τῆς ὀροφῆς νύκτωρ γαλεώτης κατέχεσεν.

[¶52] Strepsiades.:
I am amused at a lizard’s having dropped on Socrates.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἥσθην γαλεώτῃ καταχέσαντι Σωκράτους.

[¶53] Disciple.:
Yesterday evening there was no supper for us.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἐχθὲς δέ γʼ ἡμῖν δεῖπνον οὐκ ἦν ἑσπέρας.

[¶54] Strepsiades.:
Well. What then did he contrive for provisions?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
εἶεν· τί οὖν πρὸς τἄλφιτʼ ἐπαλαμήσατο;

[¶55] Disciple.:
He sprinkled fine ashes on the table, and bent a little spit, and then took it as a pair of compasses and filched a cloak from the Palaestra.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
κατὰ τῆς τραπέζης καταπάσας λεπτὴν τέφραν
κάμψας ὀβελίσκον εἶτα διαβήτην λαβὼν
ἐκ τῆς παλαίστρας θοἰμάτιον ὑφείλετο.

[¶56] Strepsiades.:
Why then do we admire Thales? Open open quickly the thinking-shop, and show to me Socrates as quickly as possible. For I desire to be a disciple. Come, open the door. The door of the thinking-shop opens and the pupils of Socrates are seen all with their heads fixed on the ground, while Socrates himself is seen suspended in the air in a basket. O Hercules, from what country are these wild beasts?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί δῆτʼ ἐκεῖνον τὸν Θαλῆν θαυμάζομεν;
ἄνοιγʼ ἄνοιγʼ ἀνύσας τὸ φροντιστήριον,
καὶ δεῖξον ὡς τάχιστά μοι τὸν Σωκράτη.
μαθητιῶ γάρ· ἀλλʼ ἄνοιγε τὴν θύραν.
ὦ Ἡράκλεις ταυτὶ ποδαπὰ τὰ θηρία;

[¶57] Disciple.:
What do you wonder at? To what do they seem to you to be like?

> Greek: Μαθητής:
τί ἐθαύμασας; τῷ σοι δοκοῦσιν εἰκέναι;

[¶58] Strepsiades.:
To the Spartans who were taken at Pylos. But why in the world do these look upon the ground?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τοῖς ἐκ Πύλου ληφθεῖσι τοῖς Λακωνικοῖς.
ἀτὰρ τί ποτʼ ἐς τὴν γῆν βλέπουσιν οὑτοιί;

[¶59] Disciple.:
They are in search of the things below the earth.
Strepsiades.:
Then they are searching for roots. Do not, then, trouble yourselves about this;

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ζητοῦσιν οὗτοι τὰ κατὰ γῆς.
Στρεψιάδης:
βολβοὺς ἄρα
ζητοῦσι. μή νυν τουτογὶ φροντίζετε·

[¶60] for I know where there are large and fine ones. Why, what are these doing, who are bent down so much?

> Greek: ἐγὼ γὰρ οἶδʼ ἵνʼ εἰσὶ μεγάλοι καὶ καλοί.
τί γὰρ οἵδε δρῶσιν οἱ σφόδρʼ ἐγκεκυφότες;

[¶61] Disciple.:
These are groping about in darkness under Tartarus.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
οὗτοι δʼ ἐρεβοδιφῶσιν ὑπὸ τὸν Τάρταρον.

[¶62] Strepsiades.:
Why then does their rump look toward heaven?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί δῆθʼ ὁ πρωκτὸς ἐς τὸν οὐρανὸν βλέπει;

[¶63] Disciple.:
It is getting taught astronomy alone by itself. Turning to the pupils. But go in, lest he meet with us.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
αὐτὸς καθʼ αὑτὸν ἀστρονομεῖν διδάσκεται.
ἀλλʼ εἴσιθʼ, ἵνα μὴ ʼκεῖνος ὑμῖν ἐπιτύχῃ.

[¶64] Strepsiades.:
Not yet, not yet; but let them remain, that I may communicate to them a little matter of my own.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
μήπω γε μήπω γʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐπιμεινάντων, ἵνα
αὐτοῖσι κοινώσω τι πραγμάτιον ἐμόν.

[¶65] Disciple.:
It is not permitted to them to remain without in the open air for a very long time.
The pupils retire.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἀλλʼ οὐχ οἷόν τʼ αὐτοῖσι πρὸς τὸν ἀέρα
ἔξω διατρίβειν πολὺν ἄγαν ἐστὶν χρόνον.

[¶66] Strepsiades.:
(discovering a variety of mathematical instruments). Why, what is this, in the name of heaven? Tell me.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
πρὸς τῶν θεῶν τί γὰρ τάδʼ ἐστίν; εἰπέ μοι.

[¶67] Disciple.:
This is Astronomy.
Strepsiades.:
But what is this?

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἀστρονομία μὲν αὑτηί.
Στρεψιάδης:
τουτὶ δὲ τί;

[¶68] Disciple.:
Geometry.
Strepsiades.:
What then is the use of this?

> Greek: Μαθητής:
γεωμετρία.
Στρεψιάδης:
τοῦτʼ οὖν τί ἐστι χρήσιμον;

[¶69] Disciple.:
To measure out the land.
Strepsiades.:
What belongs to an allotment?

> Greek: Μαθητής:
γῆν ἀναμετρῆσαι.
Στρεψιάδης:
πότερα τὴν κληρουχικήν;

[¶70] Disciple.:
No, but the whole earth.
Strepsiades.:
You tell me a clever notion; for the contrivance is democratic and useful.
Disciple.: (pointing to a map).

> Greek: Μαθητής:
οὔκ, ἀλλὰ τὴν σύμπασαν.
Στρεψιάδης:
ἀστεῖον λέγεις.
τὸ γὰρ σόφισμα δημοτικὸν καὶ χρήσιμον.

[¶71] See, here’s a map of the whole earth. Do you see? This is Athens.
Strepsiades.:
What say you? I don’t believe you; for I do not see the Dicasts sitting.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
αὕτη δέ σοι γῆς περίοδος πάσης. ὁρᾷς;
αἵδε μὲν Ἀθῆναι.
Στρεψιάδης:
τί σὺ λέγεις; οὐ πείθομαι,
ἐπεὶ δικαστὰς οὐχ ὁρῶ καθημένους.

[¶72] Disciple.:
Be assured that this is truly the Attic territory.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ὡς τοῦτʼ ἀληθῶς Ἀττικὸν τὸ χωρίον.

[¶73] Strepsiades.:
Why, where are my fellow-tribesmen of Cicynna?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
καὶ ποῦ Κικυννῆς εἰσὶν οὑμοὶ δημόται;

[¶74] Disciple.:
Here they are. And Euboea here, as you see, is stretched out a long way by the side of it to a great distance.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἐνταῦθʼ ἔνεισιν. ἡ δέ γʼ Εὔβοἰ, ὡς ὁρᾷς,
ἡδὶ παρατέταται μακρὰ πόρρω πάνυ.

[¶75] Strepsiades.:
I know that; for it was stretched by us and Pericles. But where is Lacedaemon?
Disciple.:
Where is it? Here it is.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
οἶδʼ· ὑπὸ γὰρ ἡμῶν παρετάθη καὶ Περικλέους.
ἀλλʼ ἡ Λακεδαίμων ποῦ ʼσθʼ;
Μαθητής:
ὅπου ʼστίν; αὑτηί.

[¶76] Strepsiades.:
How near it is to us! Pay great attention to this, to remove it very far from us.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὡς ἐγγὺς ἡμῶν. τοῦτο πάνυ φροντίζετε,
ταύτην ἀφʼ ἡμῶν ἀπαγαγεῖν πόρρω πάνυ.

[¶77] Disciple.:
By Jupiter, it is not possible.
Strepsiades.:
Then you will weep for it. Looking up and discovering Socrates. Come, who is this man who is in the basket?

> Greek: Μαθητής:
ἀλλʼ οὐχ οἷόν τε.
Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ Δίʼ οἰμώξεσθʼ ἄρα.
φέρε τίς γὰρ οὗτος οὑπὶ τῆς κρεμάθρας ἀνήρ;

[¶78] Disciple.:
Himself.
Strepsiades.:
Who’s “Himself”?
Disciple.:
Socrates.
Strepsiades.:
O Socrates! Come, you sir, call upon him loudly for me.
Disciple.:
Nay, rather, call him yourself; for I have no leisure.
Exit Disciple.

> Greek: Μαθητής:
αὐτός.
Στρεψιάδης:
τίς αὐτός;
Μαθητής:
Σωκράτης.
Στρεψιάδης:
ὦ Σώκρατες.
ἴθʼ οὗτος, ἀναβόησον αὐτόν μοι μέγα.
Μαθητής:
αὐτὸς μὲν οὖν σὺ κάλεσον· οὐ γάρ μοι σχολή.

[¶79] Strepsiades.:
Socrates! My little Socrates!

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὦ Σώκρατες,
ὦ Σωκρατίδιον.

[¶80] Socrates.:
Why callest thou me, thou creature of a day?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
τί με καλεῖς ὦφήμερε;

[¶81] Strepsiades.:
First tell me, I beseech you, what are you doing.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
πρῶτον μὲν ὅ τι δρᾷς ἀντιβολῶ κάτειπέ μοι.

[¶82] Socrates.:
I am walking in the air, and speculating about the sun.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἀεροβατῶ καὶ περιφρονῶ τὸν ἥλιον.

[¶83] Strepsiades.:
And so you look down upon the gods from your basket, and not from the earth?
Socrates.:
For I should not have rightly discovered things celestial if I had not suspended the intellect, and
mixed the thought in a subtle form with its kindred air. But if, being on the ground, I speculated from below on things above, I should never have discovered them. For the earth forcibly attracts to itself the meditative moisture. Water-cresses also suffer the very same thing.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἔπειτʼ ἀπὸ ταρροῦ τοὺς θεοὺς ὑπερφρονεῖς,
ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, εἴπερ;
Σωκράτης:
οὐ γὰρ ἄν ποτε
ἐξηῦρον ὀρθῶς τὰ μετέωρα πράγματα,
εἰ μὴ κρεμάσας τὸ νόημα καὶ τὴν φροντίδα
λεπτὴν καταμείξας ἐς τὸν ὅμοιον ἀέρα.
εἰ δʼ ὢν χαμαὶ τἄνω κάτωθεν ἐσκόπουν,
οὐκ ἄν ποθʼ ηὗρον· οὐ γὰρ ἀλλʼ ἡ γῆ βίᾳ
ἕλκει πρὸς αὑτὴν τὴν ἰκμάδα τῆς φροντίδος.
πάσχει δὲ ταὐτὸ τοῦτο καὶ τὰ κάρδαμα.

[¶84] Strepsiades.:
What do you say? Does meditation attract the moisture to the water-cresses? Come then, my little Socrates, descend to me, that you may teach me those things, for the sake of which I have come.
Socrates lowers himself and gets out of the basket.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί φῄς;
ἡ φροντὶς ἕλκει τὴν ἰκμάδʼ ἐς τὰ κάρδαμα;
ἴθι νυν κατάβηθʼ ὦ Σωκρατίδιον ὡς ἐμέ,
ἵνα με διδάξῃς ὧνπερ οὕνεκʼ ἐλήλυθα.

[¶85] Socrates.:
And for what did you come?
Strepsiades.:
Wishing to learn to speak; for by reason of usury, and most ill-natured creditors, I am pillaged and plundered, and have my goods seized for debt.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἦλθες δὲ κατὰ τί;
Στρεψιάδης:
βουλόμενος μαθεῖν λέγειν.
ὑπὸ γὰρ τόκων χρήστων τε δυσκολωτάτων
ἄγομαι φέρομαι, τὰ χρήματʼ ἐνεχυράζομαι.

[¶86] Socrates.:
How did you get in debt without observing it?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
πόθεν δʼ ὑπόχρεως σαυτὸν ἔλαθες γενόμενος;

[¶87] Strepsiades.:
A horse-disease consumed me--terrible at eating. But teach me the other one of your two causes, that which pays nothing; and I will swear by the gods, I will pay down to you whatever reward you exact of me.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
νόσος μʼ ἐπέτριψεν ἱππικὴ δεινὴ φαγεῖν.
ἀλλά με δίδαξον τὸν ἕτερον τοῖν σοῖν λόγοιν,
τὸν μηδὲν ἀποδιδόντα. μισθὸν δʼ ὅντινʼ ἂν
πράττῃ μʼ ὀμοῦμαί σοι καταθήσειν τοὺς θεούς.

[¶88] Socrates.:
By what gods will you swear? For, in the first place, gods are not a current coin with us.
Strepsiades.:
By what do you swear? By iron money, as in Byzantium?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ποίους θεοὺς ὀμεῖ σύ; πρῶτον γὰρ θεοὶ
ἡμῖν νόμισμʼ οὐκ ἔστι.
Στρεψιάδης:
τῷ γὰρ ὄμνυτʼ; ἢ
σιδαρέοισιν ὥσπερ ἐν Βυζαντίῳ;

[¶89] Socrates.:
Do you wish to know clearly celestial matters, what they rightly are?
Strepsiades.:
Yes, by Jupiter, if it be possible!

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
βούλει τὰ θεῖα πράγματʼ εἰδέναι σαφῶς
ἅττʼ ἐστὶν ὀρθῶς;
Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ Δίʼ εἴπερ ἔστι γε.

[¶90] Socrates.:
And to hold converse with the Clouds, our divinities?
Strepsiades.:
By all means.
Socrates.: (with great solemnity).

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
καὶ ξυγγενέσθαι ταῖς Νεφέλαισιν ἐς λόγους,
ταῖς ἡμετέραισι δαίμοσιν;
Στρεψιάδης:
μάλιστά γε.

[¶91] Seat yourself, then, upon the sacred couch.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
κάθιζε τοίνυν ἐπὶ τὸν ἱερὸν σκίμποδα.

[¶92] Strepsiades.:
Well, I am seated!
Socrates.:
Take, then, this chaplet.
Strepsiades.:
For what purpose a chaplet? Ah me! Socrates, see that you do not sacrifice me like Athamas!

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἰδοὺ κάθημαι.
Σωκράτης:
τουτονὶ τοίνυν λαβὲ
τὸν στέφανον.
Στρεψιάδης:
ἐπὶ τί στέφανον; οἴμοι Σώκρατες
ὥσπερ με τὸν Ἀθάμανθʼ ὅπως μὴ θύσετε.

[¶93] Socrates.:
No; we do all these to those who get initiated.
Strepsiades.:
Then what shall I gain, pray?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
οὔκ, ἀλλὰ ταῦτα πάντα τοὺς τελουμένους
ἡμεῖς ποιοῦμεν.
Στρεψιάδης:
εἶτα δὴ τί κερδανῶ;

[¶94] Socrates.:
You shall become in oratory a tricky knave, a thorough rattle, a subtle speaker. But keep quiet.
Strepsiades.:
By Jupiter! You will not deceive me; for if I am besprinkled, I shall become fine flour.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
λέγειν γενήσει τρῖμμα κρόταλον παιπάλη.
ἀλλʼ ἔχʼ ἀτρεμί.
Στρεψιάδης:
μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐ ψεύσει γέ με·
καταπαττόμενος γὰρ παιπάλη γενήσομαι.

[¶95] Socrates.:
It becomes the old man to speak words of good omen, and to hearken to my prayer. O sovereign King, immeasurable Air, who keepest the earth suspended, and through bright Aether, and ye august goddesses, the Clouds, sending thunder and lightning, arise, appear in the air, O mistresses, to your deep thinker!

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
εὐφημεῖν χρὴ τὸν πρεσβύτην καὶ τῆς εὐχῆς ἐπακούειν.
ὦ δέσποτʼ ἄναξ ἀμέτρητʼ Ἀήρ, ὃς ἔχεις τὴν γῆν μετέωρον,
λαμπρός τʼ Αἰθὴρ σεμναί τε θεαὶ Νεφέλαι βροντησικέραυνοι,
ἄρθητε φάνητʼ ὦ δέσποιναι τῷ φροντιστῇ μετέωροι.

[¶96] Strepsiades.:
Not yet, not yet, till I wrap this around me lest I be wet through. To think of my having come from home without even a cap, unlucky man!

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
μήπω μήπω γε πρὶν ἂν τουτὶ πτύξωμαι, μὴ καταβρεχθῶ.
τὸ δὲ μηδὲ κυνῆν οἴκοθεν ἐλθεῖν ἐμὲ τὸν κακοδαίμονʼ ἔχοντα.

[¶97] Socrates.:
Come then, ye highly honoured Clouds, for a display to this man.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἔλθετε δῆτʼ ὦ πολυτίμητοι Νεφέλαι τῷδʼ εἰς ἐπίδειξιν·

[¶98] Whether ye are sitting upon the sacred snow-covered summits of Olympus, or in the gardens of Father Ocean form a sacred dance with the Nymphs, or draw in golden pitchers the streams of the waters of the Nile, or inhabit the Maeotic lake, or the snowy rock of Mimas, hearken to our prayer, and receive the sacrifice, and be propitious to the sacred rites.
The following song is heard at a distance, accompanied by loud claps of thunder.

> Greek: εἴτʼ ἐπʼ Ὀλύμπου κορυφαῖς ἱεραῖς χιονοβλήτοισι κάθησθε,
εἴτʼ Ὠκεανοῦ πατρὸς ἐν κήποις ἱερὸν χορὸν ἵστατε Νύμφαις,
εἴτʼ ἄρα Νείλου προχοαῖς ὑδάτων χρυσέαις ἀρύτεσθε πρόχοισιν,
ἢ Μαιῶτιν λίμνην ἔχετʼ ἢ σκόπελον νιφόεντα Μίμαντος·
ὑπακούσατε δεξάμεναι θυσίαν καὶ τοῖς ἱεροῖσι χαρεῖσαι.

[¶99] Chorus.:
Eternal Clouds! Let us arise to view with our dewy, clear-bright nature, from loud-sounding Father Ocean to the wood-crowned summits of the lofty mountains,
in order that we may behold clearly the far-seen watch-towers, and the fruits, and the fostering, sacred earth, and the rushing sounds of the divine rivers, and the roaring, loud-sounding sea;

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀέναοι Νεφέλαι
ἀρθῶμεν φανεραὶ δροσερὰν φύσιν εὐάγητον,
πατρὸς ἀπʼ Ὠκεανοῦ βαρυαχέος
ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων κορυφὰς ἐπὶ
δενδροκόμους, ἵνα
τηλεφανεῖς σκοπιὰς ἀφορώμεθα,
καρπούς τʼ ἀρδομέναν ἱερὰν χθόνα,
καὶ ποταμῶν ζαθέων κελαδήματα,
καὶ πόντον κελάδοντα βαρύβρομον·

[¶100] for the unwearied eye of Aether sparkles with glittering rays. Come, let us shake off the watery cloud from our immortal forms and survey
the earth with far-seeing eye.

> Greek: ὄμμα γὰρ αἰθέρος ἀκάματον σελαγεῖται
μαρμαρέαις ἐν αὐγαῖς.
ἀλλʼ ἀποσεισάμεναι νέφος ὄμβριον
ἀθανάτας ἰδέας ἐπιδώμεθα
τηλεσκόπῳ ὄμματι γαῖαν.

[¶101] Socrates.:
O ye greatly venerable Clouds, ye have clearly heard me when I called. Turning to Strepsiades. Did you hear the voice, and the thunder which bellowed at the same time, feared as a god?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ὦ μέγα σεμναὶ Νεφέλαι φανερῶς ἠκούσατέ μου καλέσαντος.
ᾔσθου φωνῆς ἅμα καὶ βροντῆς μυκησαμένης θεοσέπτου;

[¶102] Strepsiades.:
I too worship you, O ye highly honoured, and am inclined to reply to the thundering, so much do I tremble at them and am alarmed. And whether it be lawful, or be not lawful, I have a desire just now to ease myself.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
καὶ σέβομαί γʼ ὦ πολυτίμητοι καὶ βούλομαι ἀνταποπαρδεῖν
πρὸς τὰς βροντάς· οὕτως αὐτὰς τετρεμαίνω καὶ πεφόβημαι·
κεἰ θέμις ἐστίν, νυνί γʼ ἤδη, κεἰ μὴ θέμις ἐστί, χεσείω.

[¶103] Socrates.:
Don’t scoff, nor do what these poor-devil-poets do, but use words of good omen, for a great swarm of goddesses is in motion with their songs.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
οὐ μὴ σκώψει μηδὲ ποιήσεις ἅπερ οἱ τρυγοδαίμονες οὗτοι,
ἀλλʼ εὐφήμει· μέγα γάρ τι θεῶν κινεῖται σμῆνος ἀοιδαῖς.

[¶104] Chorus.:
Ye rain-bringing virgins,
let us come to the fruitful land of Pallas, to view the much-loved country of Cecrops, abounding in brave men; where is reverence for sacred rites not to be divulged; where the house that receives the initiated is thrown open in holy mystic rites;
and gifts to the celestial gods; and high-roofed temples, and statues; and most sacred processions in honour of the blessed gods; and well-crowned sacrifices to the gods,
and feasts, at all seasons; and with the approach of spring the Bacchic festivity, and the rousings of melodious choruses, and the loud-sounding music of flutes.

> Greek: Χορός:
παρθένοι ὀμβροφόροι
ἔλθωμεν λιπαρὰν χθόνα Παλλάδος, εὔανδρον γᾶν
Κέκροπος ὀψόμεναι πολυήρατον·
οὗ σέβας ἀρρήτων ἱερῶν, ἵνα
μυστοδόκος δόμος
ἐν τελεταῖς ἁγίαις ἀναδείκνυται,
οὐρανίοις τε θεοῖς δωρήματα,
ναοί θʼ ὑψερεφεῖς καὶ ἀγάλματα,
καὶ πρόσοδοι μακάρων ἱερώταται,
εὐστέφανοί τε θεῶν θυσίαι θαλίαι τε,
παντοδαπαῖς ἐν ὥραις,
ἦρί τʼ ἐπερχομένῳ Βρομία χάρις,
εὐκελάδων τε χορῶν ἐρεθίσματα,
καὶ μοῦσα βαρύβρομος αὐλῶν.

[¶105] Strepsiades.:
Tell me, O Socrates, I beseech you, by Jupiter, who are these that have uttered this grand song? Are they some heroines?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς ἀντιβολῶ σε φράσον, τίνες εἴσʼ ὦ Σώκρατες αὗται
αἱ φθεγξάμεναι τοῦτο τὸ σεμνόν; μῶν ἡρῷναί τινές εἰσιν;

[¶106] Socrates.:
By no means; but heavenly Clouds, great divinities to idle men; who supply us with thought and argument, and intelligence and humbug, and circumlocution, and ability to hoax, and comprehension.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἥκιστʼ ἀλλʼ οὐράνιαι Νεφέλαι μεγάλαι θεαὶ ἀνδράσιν ἀργοῖς·
αἵπερ γνώμην καὶ διάλεξιν καὶ νοῦν ἡμῖν παρέχουσιν
καὶ τερατείαν καὶ περίλεξιν καὶ κροῦσιν καὶ κατάληψιν.

[¶107] Strepsiades.:
On this account therefore my soul, having heard their voice, flutters, and already seeks to discourse subtilely, and to quibble about smoke, and having pricked a maxim with a little notion, to refute the opposite argument. So that now I eagerly desire, if by any means it be possible, to see them palpably.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀκούσασʼ αὐτῶν τὸ φθέγμʼ ἡ ψυχή μου πεπότηται,
καὶ λεπτολογεῖν ἤδη ζητεῖ καὶ περὶ καπνοῦ στενολεσχεῖν,
καὶ γνωμιδίῳ γνώμην νύξασʼ ἑτέρῳ λόγῳ ἀντιλογῆσαι·
ὥστʼ εἴ πως ἔστιν ἰδεῖν αὐτὰς ἤδη φανερῶς ἐπιθυμῶ.

[¶108] Socrates.:
Look, then, hither, toward Mount Parnes; for now I behold them descending gently.
Strepsiades.:
Pray where? Show me.
Socrates.:
See! There they come in great numbers through the hollows and thickets; there, obliquely.
Strepsiades.:
What’s the matter? For I can’t see them.
Socrates.:
By the entrance.
Enter Chorus.
Strepsiades.:
Now at length with difficulty I just see them.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
βλέπε νυν δευρὶ πρὸς τὴν Πάρνηθʼ· ἤδη γὰρ ὁρῶ κατιούσας
ἡσυχῇ αὐτάς.
Στρεψιάδης:
φέρε ποῦ; δεῖξον.
Σωκράτης:
χωροῦσʼ αὗται πάνυ πολλαὶ
διὰ τῶν κοίλων καὶ τῶν δασέων, αὗται πλάγιαι.
Στρεψιάδης:
τί τὸ χρῆμα;
ὡς οὐ καθορῶ.
Σωκράτης:
παρὰ τὴν εἴσοδον.
Στρεψιάδης:
ἤδη νυνὶ μόλις οὕτως.

[¶109] Socrates.:
Now at length you assuredly see them, unless you have your eyes running pumpkins.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
νῦν γέ τοι ἤδη καθορᾷς αὐτάς, εἰ μὴ λημᾷς κολοκύνταις.

[¶110] Strepsiades.:
Yes, by Jupiter! O highly honoured Clouds, for now they cover all things.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ, ὦ πολυτίμητοι· πάντα γὰρ ἤδη κατέχουσιν.

[¶111] Socrates.:
Did you not, however, know, nor yet consider, these to be goddesses?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ταύτας μέντοι σὺ θεὰς οὔσας οὐκ ᾔδησθʼ οὐδʼ ἐνόμιζες;

[¶112] Strepsiades.:
No, by Jupiter! But I thought them to be mist, and dew, and smoke.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ὁμίχλην καὶ δρόσον αὐτὰς ἡγούμην καὶ καπνὸν εἶναι.

[¶113] Socrates.:
For you do not know, by Jupiter! that these feed very many sophists, Thurian soothsayers, practisers of medicine, lazy-long-haired-onyx-ring-wearers, song-twisters for the cyclic dances, and meteorological quacks. They feed idle people who do nothing, because such men celebrate them in verse.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
οὐ γὰρ μὰ Δίʼ οἶσθʼ ὁτιὴ πλείστους αὗται βόσκουσι σοφιστάς,
Θουριομάντεις ἰατροτέχνας σφραγιδονυχαργοκομήτας,
κυκλίων τε χορῶν ᾀσματοκάμπτας ἄνδρας μετεωροφένακας,
οὐδὲν δρῶντας βόσκουσʼ ἀργούς, ὅτι ταύτας μουσοποιοῦσιν.

[¶114] Strepsiades.:
For this reason, then, they introduced into their verses “the dreadful impetuosity of the moist, whirling-bright clouds”; and the “curls of hundred-headed Typho”; and the “hard-blowing tempests”; and then “aerial, moist”; “crooked-clawed birds, floating in air” and “the showers of rain from dewy Clouds.” And then, in return for these, they swallow “slices of great, fine mullets, and bird’s-flesh of thrushes.”

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἐποίουν ὑγρᾶν Νεφελᾶν στρεπταιγλᾶν δάιον ὁρμάν,
πλοκάμους θʼ ἑκατογκεφάλα Τυφῶ πρημαινούσας τε θυέλλας,
εἶτʼ ἀερίας διεράς, γαμψοὺς οἰωνοὺς ἀερονηχεῖς,
ὄμβρους θʼ ὑδάτων δροσερᾶν Νεφελᾶν· εἶτʼ ἀντʼ αὐτῶν κατέπινον
κεστρᾶν τεμάχη μεγαλᾶν ἀγαθᾶν κρέα τʼ ὀρνίθεια κιχηλᾶν.

[¶115] Socrates.:
Is it not just, however, that they should have their reward, on account of these?
Strepsiades.:
Tell me, pray, if they are really clouds, what ails them, that they resemble mortal women? For they are not such.
Socrates.:
Pray, of what nature are they?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
διὰ μέντοι τάσδʼ οὐχὶ δικαίως;
Στρεψιάδης:
λέξον δή μοι, τί παθοῦσαι,
εἴπερ νεφέλαι γʼ εἰσὶν ἀληθῶς, θνηταῖς εἴξασι γυναιξίν;
οὐ γὰρ ἐκεῖναί γʼ εἰσὶ τοιαῦται.
Σωκράτης:
φέρε ποῖαι γάρ τινές εἰσιν;

[¶116] Strepsiades.:
I do not clearly know: at any rate they resemble spread-out fleeces, and not women, by Jupiter! Not a bit; for these have noses.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
οὐκ οἶδα σαφῶς· εἴξασιν γοῦν ἐρίοισιν πεπταμένοισιν,
κοὐχὶ γυναιξὶν μὰ Δίʼ οὐδʼ ὁτιοῦν· αὗται δὲ ῥῖνας ἔχουσιν.

[¶117] Socrates.:
Answer, then, whatever I ask you.
Strepsiades.:
Then say quickly what you wish.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἀπόκριναί νυν ἅττʼ ἂν ἔρωμαι.
Στρεψιάδης:
λέγε νυν ταχέως ὅ τι βούλει.

[¶118] Socrates.:
Have you ever, when you; looked up, seen a cloud like to a centaur, or a panther, or a wolf, or a bull?
Strepsiades.:
By Jupiter, have I! But what of that?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἤδη ποτʼ ἀναβλέψας εἶδες νεφέλην κενταύρῳ ὁμοίαν,
ἢ παρδάλει ἢ λύκῳ ἢ ταύρῳ;
Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ. εἶτα τί τοῦτο;

[¶119] Socrates.:
They become all things, whatever they please. And then if they see a person with long hair, a wild one of these hairy fellows, like the son of Xenophantes, in derision of his folly, they liken themselves to centaurs.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
γίγνονται πάνθʼ ὅ τι βούλονται· κᾆτʼ ἢν μὲν ἴδωσι κομήτην
ἄγριόν τινα τῶν λασίων τούτων, οἷόνπερ τὸν Ξενοφάντου,
σκώπτουσαι τὴν μανίαν αὐτοῦ κενταύροις ᾔκασαν αὑτάς.

[¶120] Strepsiades.:
Why, what, if they should see Simon, a plunderer of the public property, what do they do?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί γὰρ ἢν ἅρπαγα τῶν δημοσίων κατίδωσι Σίμωνα, τί δρῶσιν;

[¶121] Socrates.:
They suddenly become wolves, showing up his disposition.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἀποφαίνουσαι τὴν φύσιν αὐτοῦ λύκοι ἐξαίφνης ἐγένοντο.

[¶122] Strepsiades.:
For this reason, then, for this reason, when they yesterday saw Cleonymus the recreant, on this account they became stags, because they saw this most cowardly fellow.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ταῦτʼ ἄρα ταῦτα Κλεώνυμον αὗται τὸν ῥίψασπιν χθὲς ἰδοῦσαι,
ὅτι δειλότατον τοῦτον ἑώρων, ἔλαφοι διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο.

[¶123] Socrates.:
And now too, because they saw Clisthenes, you observe, on this account they became women.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
καὶ νῦν γʼ ὅτι Κλεισθένη εἶδον, ὁρᾷς, διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο γυναῖκες.

[¶124] Strepsiades.:
Hail therefore, O mistresses! And now, if ever ye did to any other, to me also utter a voice reaching to heaven, O all-powerful queens.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
χαίρετε τοίνυν ὦ δέσποιναι· καὶ νῦν, εἴπερ τινὶ κἄλλῳ,
οὐρανομήκη ῥήξατε κἀμοὶ φωνήν, ὦ παμβασίλειαι.

[¶125] Chorus.:
Hail, O ancient veteran, hunter after learned speeches! And thou, O priest of most subtle trifles! Tell us what you require?

> Greek: Χορός:
χαῖρʼ ὦ πρεσβῦτα παλαιογενὲς θηρατὰ λόγων φιλομούσων,
σύ τε λεπτοτάτων λήρων ἱερεῦ, φράζε πρὸς ἡμᾶς ὅ τι χρῄζεις·

[¶126] For we would not hearken to any other of the recent meteorological sophists, except to Prodicus; to him, on account of his wisdom and intelligence; and to you, because you walk proudly in the streets, and cast your eyes askance, and endure many hardships with bare feet, and in reliance upon us lookest supercilious.

> Greek: οὐ γὰρ ἂν ἄλλῳ γʼ ὑπακούσαιμεν τῶν νῦν μετεωροσοφιστῶν
πλὴν ἢ Προδίκῳ, τῷ μὲν σοφίας καὶ γνώμης οὕνεκα, σοὶ δέ,
ὅτι βρενθύει τʼ ἐν ταῖσιν ὁδοῖς καὶ τὠφθαλμὼ παραβάλλεις,
κἀνυπόδητος κακὰ πόλλʼ ἀνέχει κἀφʼ ἡμῖν σεμνοπροσωπεῖς.

[¶127] Strepsiades.:
O Earth, what a voice! How holy and dignified and wondrous!

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὦ γῆ τοῦ φθέγματος, ὡς ἱερὸν καὶ σεμνὸν καὶ τερατῶδες.

[¶128] Socrates.:
For, in fact, these alone are goddesses; and all the rest is nonsense.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
αὗται γάρ τοι μόναι εἰσὶ θεαί, τἄλλα δὲ πάντʼ ἐστὶ φλύαρος.

[¶129] Strepsiades.:
But come, by the Earth, is not Jupiter, the Olympian, a god?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὁ Ζεὺς δʼ ἡμῖν, φέρε πρὸς τῆς γῆς, οὑλύμπιος οὐ θεός ἐστιν;

[¶130] Socrates.:
What Jupiter? Do not trifle. There is no Jupiter.
Strepsiades.:
What do you say? Who rains then? For first of all explain this to me.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ποῖος Ζεύς; οὐ μὴ ληρήσεις· οὐδʼ ἔστι Ζεύς.
Στρεψιάδης:
τί λέγεις σύ;
ἀλλὰ τίς ὕει; τουτὶ γὰρ ἔμοιγʼ ἀπόφηναι πρῶτον ἁπάντων.

[¶131] Socrates.:
These to be sure. I will teach you it by powerful evidence. Come, where have you ever seen him raining at any time without Clouds? And yet he ought to rain in fine weather, and these be absent.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
αὗται δήπου· μεγάλοις δέ σʼ ἐγὼ σημείοις αὐτὸ διδάξω.
φέρε ποῦ γὰρ πώποτʼ ἄνευ Νεφελῶν ὕοντʼ ἤδη τεθέασαι;
καίτοι χρῆν αἰθρίας ὕειν αὐτόν, ταύτας δʼ ἀποδημεῖν.

[¶132] Strepsiades.:
By Apollo, of a truth you have rightly confirmed this by your present argument. And yet, before this, I really thought that Jupiter caused the rain. But tell me who is it that thunders. This makes me tremble.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ τὸν Ἀπόλλω τοῦτό γέ τοι δὴ τῷ νῦν λόγῳ εὖ προσέφυσας·
καίτοι πρότερον τὸν Δίʼ ἀληθῶς ᾤμην διὰ κοσκίνου οὐρεῖν.
ἀλλʼ ὅστις ὁ βροντῶν ἐστι φράσον· τοῦτό με ποιεῖ τετρεμαίνειν.

[¶133] Socrates.:
These, as they roll, thunder.
Strepsiades.:
In what way? you all-daring man!

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
αὗται βροντῶσι κυλινδόμεναι.
Στρεψιάδης:
τῷ τρόπῳ ὦ πάντα σὺ τολμῶν;

[¶134] Socrates.:
When they are full of much water, and are compelled to be borne along, being necessarily precipitated when full of rain, then they fall heavily upon each other and burst and clap.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ὅταν ἐμπλησθῶσʼ ὕδατος πολλοῦ κἀναγκασθῶσι φέρεσθαι,
κατακρημνάμεναι πλήρεις ὄμβρου διʼ ἀνάγκην, εἶτα βαρεῖαι
εἰς ἀλλήλας ἐμπίπτουσαι ῥήγνυνται καὶ παταγοῦσιν.

[¶135] Strepsiades.:
Who is it that compels them to borne along? Is it not Jupiter?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὁ δʼ ἀναγκάζων ἐστὶ τίς αὐτάς, οὐχ ὁ Ζεύς, ὥστε φέρεσθαι;

[¶136] Socrates.:
By no means, but aethereal Vortex.
Strepsiades.:
Vortex? It had escaped my notice that Jupiter did not exist, and that Vortex now reigned in his stead. But you have taught me nothing as yet concerning the clap and the thunder.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἥκιστʼ ἀλλʼ αἰθέριος Δῖνος.
Στρεψιάδης:
Δῖνος; τουτί μʼ ἐλελήθειν,
ὁ Ζεὺς οὐκ ὤν, ἀλλʼ ἀντʼ αὐτοῦ Δῖνος νυνὶ βασιλεύων.
ἀτὰρ οὐδέν πω περὶ τοῦ πατάγου καὶ τῆς βροντῆς μʼ ἐδίδαξας.

[¶137] Socrates.:
Have you not heard me, that I said that the Clouds, when full of moisture, dash against each other and clap by reason of their density?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
οὐκ ἤκουσάς μου τὰς Νεφέλας ὕδατος μεστὰς ὅτι φημὶ
ἐμπιπτούσας εἰς ἀλλήλας παταγεῖν διὰ τὴν πυκνότητα;

[¶138] Strepsiades.:
Come, how am I to believe this?
Socrates.:
I’ll teach you from your own case. Were you ever, after being stuffed with broth at the Panathenaic festival, then disturbed in your belly, and did a tumult suddenly rumble through it?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
φέρε τουτὶ τῷ χρὴ πιστεύειν;
Σωκράτης:
ἀπὸ σαυτοῦ ʼγώ σε διδάξω.
ἤδη ζωμοῦ Παναθηναίοις ἐμπλησθεὶς εἶτʼ ἐταράχθης
τὴν γαστέρα, καὶ κλόνος ἐξαίφνης αὐτὴν διεκορκορύγησεν;

[¶139] Strepsiades.:
Yes, by Apollo! And immediately the little broth plays the mischief with me, and is disturbed and rumbles like thunder, and grumbles dreadfully:

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ τὸν Ἀπόλλω καὶ δεινὰ ποιεῖ γʼ εὐθύς μοι, καὶ τετάρακται
χὤσπερ βροντὴ τὸ ζωμίδιον παταγεῖ καὶ δεινὰ κέκραγεν·

[¶140] at first gently pappax, pappax; and then it adds papa-pappax; and finally, it thunders downright papapappax, as they do.

> Greek: ἀτρέμας πρῶτον παππὰξ παππάξ, κἄπειτʼ ἐπάγει παπαπαππάξ,
χὤταν χέζω, κομιδῇ βροντᾷ παπαπαππὰξ ὥσπερ ἐκεῖναι.

[¶141] Socrates.:
Consider, therefore, how you have trumpeted from a little belly so small; and how is it not probable that this air, being boundless, should thunder so loudly?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
σκέψαι τοίνυν ἀπὸ γαστριδίου τυννουτουὶ οἷα πέπορδας·
τὸν δʼ Ἀέρα τόνδʼ ὄντʼ ἀπέραντον πῶς οὐκ εἰκὸς μέγα βροντᾶν;

[¶142] Strepsiades.:
For this reason, therefore, the two names also Trump and Thunder, are similar to each other. But teach me this, whence comes the thunderbolt blazing with fire, and burns us to ashes when it smites us, and singes those who survive. For indeed Jupiter evidently hurls this at the perjured.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ταῦτʼ ἄρα καὶ τὠνόματʼ ἀλλήλοιν βροντὴ καὶ πορδὴ ὁμοίω.
ἀλλʼ ὁ κεραυνὸς πόθεν αὖ φέρεται λάμπων πυρί, τοῦτο δίδαξον,
καὶ καταφρύγει βάλλων ἡμᾶς, τοὺς δὲ ζῶντας περιφλύει;
τοῦτον γὰρ δὴ φανερῶς ὁ Ζεὺς ἵησʼ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐπιόρκους.

[¶143] Socrates.:
Why, how then, you foolish person, and savouring of the dark ages and antediluvian, if his manner is to smite the perjured, does he not blast Simon,
and Cleonymus, and Theorus? And yet they are very perjured. But he smites his own temple, and Sunium the promontory of Athens, and the tall oaks. Wherefore, for indeed an oak does not commit perjury.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
καὶ πῶς ὦ μῶρε σὺ καὶ Κρονίων ὄζων καὶ βεκκεσέληνε,
εἴπερ βάλλει τοὺς ἐπιόρκους, δῆτʼ οὐχὶ Σίμωνʼ ἐνέπρησεν
οὐδὲ Κλεώνυμον οὐδὲ Θέωρον; καίτοι σφόδρα γʼ εἴσʼ ἐπίορκοι·
ἀλλὰ τὸν αὑτοῦ γε νεὼν βάλλει καὶ Σούνιον ἄκρον Ἀθηνέων
καὶ τὰς δρῦς τὰς μεγάλας· τί μαθών; οὐ γὰρ δὴ δρῦς γʼ ἐπιορκεῖ.

[¶144] Strepsiades.:
I do not know; but you seem to speak well. For what, pray, is the thunderbolt?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
οὐκ οἶδʼ· ἀτὰρ εὖ σὺ λέγειν φαίνει. τί γάρ ἐστιν δῆθʼ ὁ κεραυνός;

[¶145] Socrates.:
When a dry wind, having been raised aloft, is inclosed in these Clouds, it inflates them within, like a bladder; and then, of necessity, having burst them, it rushes out with vehemence by reason of its density, setting fire to itself through its rushing and impetuosity.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ὅταν ἐς ταύτας ἄνεμος ξηρὸς μετεωρισθεὶς κατακλῃσθῇ,
ἔνδοθεν αὐτὰς ὥσπερ κύστιν φυσᾷ, κἄπειθʼ ὑπʼ ἀνάγκης
ῥήξας αὐτὰς ἔξω φέρεται σοβαρὸς διὰ τὴν πυκνότητα,
ὑπὸ τοῦ ῥοίβδου καὶ τῆς ῥύμης αὐτὸς ἑαυτὸν κατακάων.

[¶146] Strepsiades.:
By Jupiter, of a truth I once experienced this exactly at the Diasian festival! I was roasting a haggis for my kinsfolk, and through neglect I did not cut it open; but it became inflated and then suddenly bursting, befouled my eyes and burned my face.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
νὴ Δίʼ ἐγὼ γοῦν ἀτεχνῶς ἔπαθον τουτί ποτε Διασίοισιν
ὀπτῶν γαστέρα τοῖς συγγενέσιν, κᾆτʼ οὐκ ἔσχων ἀμελήσας·
ἡ δʼ ἄρʼ ἐφυσᾶτʼ, εἶτʼ ἐξαίφνης διαλακήσασα πρὸς αὐτὼ
τὠφθαλμώ μου προσετίλησεν καὶ κατέκαυσεν τὸ πρόσωπον.

[¶147] Chorus.:
O mortal, who hast desired great wisdom from us! How happy will you become among the Athenians and among the Greeks, if you be possessed of a good memory, and be a deep thinker, and endurance of labour be implanted
in your soul, and you be not wearied either by standing or walking, nor be exceedingly vexed at shivering with cold, nor long to break your fast, and you refrain from wine, and gymnastics, and the other follies, and consider this the highest excellence, as is proper a clever man should, to conquer by action and counsel, and by battling with your tongue.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ τῆς μεγάλης ἐπιθυμήσας σοφίας ἄνθρωπε παρʼ ἡμῶν,
ὡς εὐδαίμων ἐν Ἀθηναίοις καὶ τοῖς Ἕλλησι γενήσει,
εἰ μνήμων εἶ καὶ φροντιστὴς καὶ τὸ ταλαίπωρον ἔνεστιν
ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ, καὶ μὴ κάμνεις μήθʼ ἑστὼς μήτε βαδίζων,
μήτε ῥιγῶν ἄχθει λίαν μήτʼ ἀριστᾶν ἐπιθυμεῖς,
οἴνου τʼ ἀπέχει καὶ γυμνασίων καὶ τῶν ἄλλων ἀνοήτων,
καὶ βέλτιστον τοῦτο νομίζεις, ὅπερ εἰκὸς δεξιὸν ἄνδρα,
νικᾶν πράττων καὶ βουλεύων καὶ τῇ γλώττῃ πολεμίζων.

[¶148] Strepsiades.:
As far as regards a sturdy spirit, and care that makes one’s bed uneasy, and a frugal spirit and hard-living and savory-eating belly, be of good courage and don’t trouble yourself; I would offer myself to hammer on, for that matter.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἀλλʼ οὕνεκά γε ψυχῆς στερρᾶς δυσκολοκοίτου τε μερίμνης
καὶ φειδωλοῦ καὶ τρυσιβίου γαστρὸς καὶ θυμβρεπιδείπνου,
ἀμέλει θαρρῶν οὕνεκα τούτων ἐπιχαλκεύειν παρέχοιμʼ ἄν.

[¶149] Socrates.:
Will you not, pray, now believe in no god, except what we believe in--this Chaos, and the Clouds, and the Tongue--these three?

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἄλλο τι δῆτʼ οὖν νομιεῖς ἤδη θεὸν οὐδένα πλὴν ἅπερ ἡμεῖς,
τὸ Χάος τουτὶ καὶ τὰς Νεφέλας καὶ τὴν γλῶτταν, τρία ταυτί;

[¶150] Strepsiades.:
Absolutely I would not even converse with the others, not even if I met them; nor would I sacrifice to them, nor make libations, nor offer frankincense.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
οὐδʼ ἂν διαλεχθείην γʼ ἀτεχνῶς τοῖς ἄλλοις οὐδʼ ἂν ἀπαντῶν·
οὐδʼ ἂν θύσαιμʼ, οὐδʼ ἂν σπείσαιμʼ, οὐδʼ ἐπιθείην λιβανωτόν.

[¶151] Chorus.:
Tell us then boldly, what we must do for you? For you shall not fail in getting it, if you honour and admire us, and seek to become clever.

> Greek: Χορός:
λέγε νυν ἡμῖν ὅ τι σοι δρῶμεν θαρρῶν, ὡς οὐκ ἀτυχήσεις
ἡμᾶς τιμῶν καὶ θαυμάζων καὶ ζητῶν δεξιὸς εἶναι.

[¶152] Strepsiades.:
O mistresses, I request of you then this very small favour, that I be the best of the Greeks in speaking by a hundred stadia.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ὦ δέσποιναι δέομαι τοίνυν ὑμῶν τουτὶ πάνυ μικρόν,
τῶν Ἑλλήνων εἶναί με λέγειν ἑκατὸν σταδίοισιν ἄριστον.

[¶153] Chorus.:
Well, you shall have this from us, so that hence-forward from this time no one shall get more opinions passed in the public assemblies than you.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ ἔσται σοι τοῦτο παρʼ ἡμῶν· ὥστε τὸ λοιπόν γʼ ἀπὸ τουδὶ
ἐν τῷ δήμῳ γνώμας οὐδεὶς νικήσει πλείονας ἢ σύ.

[¶154] Strepsiades.:
Grant me not to deliver important opinions; for I do not desire these, but only to pervert the right for my own advantage, and to evade my creditors.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
μὴ ʼμοί γε λέγειν γνώμας μεγάλας· οὐ γὰρ τούτων ἐπιθυμῶ,
ἀλλʼ ὅσʼ ἐμαυτῷ στρεψοδικῆσαι καὶ τοὺς χρήστας διολισθεῖν.

[¶155] Chorus.:
Then you shall obtain what you desire; for you do not covet great things. But commit yourself without fear to our ministers.

> Greek: Χορός:
τεύξει τοίνυν ὧν ἱμείρεις· οὐ γὰρ μεγάλων ἐπιθυμεῖς.
ἀλλὰ σεαυτὸν θαρρῶν παράδος τοῖς ἡμετέροις προπόλοισιν.

[¶156] Strepsiades.:
I will do so in reliance upon you, for necessity oppresses me, on account of the blood-horses, and the marriage that ruined me. Now, therefore, let them use me as they please.
I give up this body to them to be beaten, to be hungered, to be troubled with thirst, to be squalid, to shiver with cold, to flay into a leathern bottle,
if I shall escape clear from my debts, and appear to men to be bold, glib of tongue, audacious, impudent, shameless, a fabricator of falsehoods, inventive of words, a practiced knave in lawsuits, a law-tablet, a thorough rattle, a fox, a sharper, a slippery knave, a dissembler, a slippery fellow, an impostor,
a gallows-bird, a blackguard, a twister, a troublesome fellow, a licker-up of hashes. If they call me this, when they meet me, let them do to me absolutely what they please. And if they like,
by Ceres, let them serve up a sausage out of me to the deep thinkers.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
δράσω ταῦθʼ ὑμῖν πιστεύσας· ἡ γὰρ ἀνάγκη με πιέζει
διὰ τοὺς ἵππους τοὺς κοππατίας καὶ τὸν γάμον ὅς μʼ ἐπέτριψεν.
νῦν οὖν ἀτεχνῶς ὅ τι βούλονται
τουτὶ τοὐμὸν σῶμʼ αὐτοῖσιν
παρέχω, τύπτειν πεινῆν διψῆν
αὐχμεῖν ῥιγῶν ἀσκὸν δείρειν,
εἴπερ τὰ χρέα διαφευξοῦμαι,
τοῖς τʼ ἀνθρώποις εἶναι δόξω
θρασὺς εὔγλωττος τολμηρὸς ἴτης
βδελυρὸς ψευδῶν συγκολλητὴς
εὑρησιεπὴς περίτριμμα δικῶν
κύρβις κρόταλον κίναδος τρύμη
μάσθλης εἴρων γλοιὸς ἀλαζὼν
κέντρων μιαρὸς στρόφις ἀργαλέος
ματιολοιχός·
ταῦτʼ εἴ με καλοῦσʼ ἁπαντῶντες,
δρώντων ἀτεχνῶς ὅ τι χρῄζουσιν,
κεἰ βούλονται
νὴ τὴν Δήμητρʼ ἔκ μου χορδὴν
τοῖς φροντισταῖς παραθέντων.

[¶157] Chorus.:
This man has a spirit not void of courage, but prompt. Know, that if you learn these matters from me, you will possess among mortals a glory as high as heaven.

> Greek: Χορός:
λῆμα μὲν πάρεστι τῷδέ γʼ
οὐκ ἄτολμον ἀλλʼ ἕτοιμον. ἴσθι δʼ ὡς
ταῦτα μαθὼν παρʼ ἐμοῦ κλέος οὐρανόμηκες
ἐν βροτοῖσιν ἕξεις.

[¶158] Strepsiades.:
What shall I experience?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί πείσομαι;

[¶159] Chorus.:
You shall pass with me the most enviable of mortal lives the whole time.

> Greek: Χορός:
τὸν πάντα χρόνον μετʼ ἐμοῦ
ζηλωτότατον βίον ἀνθρώπων διάξεις.

[¶160] Strepsiades.:
Shall I then ever see this?
Chorus.:
Yea, so that many be always seated at your gates, wishing to communicate with you and come to a conference with you, to consult with you as to actions and affidavits of many talents, as is worthy of your abilities.
To Socrates.

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
ἆρά γε τοῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἐγώ ποτʼ
ὄψομαι;
Χορός:
ὥστε γέ σου πολλοὺς ἐπὶ ταῖσι θύραις ἀεὶ καθῆσθαι,
βουλομένους ἀνακοινοῦσθαί τε καὶ ἐς λόγον ἐλθεῖν
πράγματα κἀντιγραφὰς πολλῶν ταλάντων,
ἄξια σῇ φρενὶ συμβουλευσομένους μετὰ σοῦ.

[¶161] Chorus.:
But attempt to teach the old man by degrees whatever you purpose, and scrutinize his intellect, and make trial of his mind.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἀλλʼ ἐγχείρει τὸν πρεσβύτην ὅ τι περ μέλλεις προδιδάσκειν,
καὶ διακίνει τὸν νοῦν αὐτοῦ καὶ τῆς γνώμης ἀποπειρῶ.

[¶162] Socrates.:
Come now, tell me your own turn of mind; in order that, when I know of what sort it is, I may now, after this, apply to you new engines.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
ἄγε δὴ κάτειπέ μοι σὺ τὸν σαυτοῦ τρόπον,
ἵνʼ αὐτὸν εἰδὼς ὅστις ἐστὶ μηχανὰς
ἤδη ʼπὶ τούτοις πρὸς σὲ καινὰς προσφέρω.

[¶163] Strepsiades.:
What? By the gods, do you purpose to besiege me?

> Greek: Στρεψιάδης:
τί δέ; τειχομαχεῖν μοι διανοεῖ πρὸς τῶν θεῶν;

[¶164] Socrates.:
No; I wish to briefly learn from you if you are possessed of a good memory.
Strepsiades.:
In two ways, by Jove! If anything be owing to me, I have a very good memory; but if I owe unhappy man, I am very forgetful.

> Greek: Σωκράτης:
οὔκ, ἀλλὰ βραχέα σου πυθέσθαι βούλομαι.
ἦ μνημονικὸς εἶ;
Στρεψιάδης:
δύο τρόπω νὴ τὸν Δία·
ἢν μὲν γὰρ ὀφείληταί τί μοι, μνήμων πάνυ·
ἐὰν δʼ ὀφείλω, σχέτλιος, ἐπιλήσμων πάνυ.