_Stud._ The other end is studying astronomy Quite independently. (_To the students, whose attention is, of course, diverted to the visitor._) Go in, if you please! Suppose HE comes, and catches us all idling! But Strepsiades begs to ask a few more questions. These mathematical instruments,--what are they for? _Stud._ Oh, that’s geometry. _Str._ And what’s the use of it? _Stud._ For measuring the Earth. _Str._ You mean the grants We make in the colonies to Athenian citizens? _Stud._ No--_all_ the Earth. _Str._ A capital idea! Divide it all?--I call that true democracy. _Stud._ See, here’s an outline-map of the whole world; And here lies Athens. _Str._ Athens! nay, go to-- It cannot be--I see no law-courts sitting. _Stud._ ’Tis Attica, I assure you, none the less. _Str._ And where’s my parish, then--and my fellow-townsmen? _Stud._ Oh, they’re all there.--And here’s Eubœa, you see, That long strip there, stretched out along the coast. _Str._ Ay--we and Pericles stretched that--pretty tight.[31] But where’s Lacedæmon, now? _Stud._ Why, there, of course. _Str._ How close to Athens! Pray, with all your thinking, Can’t ye contrive to get it further off? _Stud._ (_shaking his head_). That we can’t do, by Jove! _Str._ Then worse luck for ye.-- But who hangs dangling in the basket yonder? _Stud._ HIMSELF. _Str._ And who’s Himself? _Stud._ Why, Socrates. _Str._ Ho, Socrates!--Call him, you fellow--call loud. _Stud._ Call him yourself--I’ve got no time for calling. (_Exit indoors._) _Str._ Ho, Socrates! sweet, darling Socrates! _Soc._ Why callest thou me, poor creature of a day? _Str._ First tell me, pray, what _are_ you doing up there? _Soc._ I walk in air, and contemplate the sun. _Str._ Oh, _that’s_ the way that you despise the gods-- You get so near them on your perch there--eh? _Soc._ I never could have found out things divine, Had I not hung my mind up thus, and mixed My subtle intellect with its kindred air. Had I regarded such things from below, I had learnt nothing. For the earth absorbs Into itself the moisture of the brain.-- It is the very same case with water-cresses. _Str._ Dear me! so water-cresses grow by thinking! He begs Socrates to come down and help him in his difficulties. He is very anxious to learn this new Argument--that “which pays no bills.” Socrates offers to introduce him to the Clouds, the new goddesses of philosophers--“great divinities to idle men;” and Strepsiades--first begging to be allowed to wrap his cloak round his head for fear of rain, having left home in his hurry without a hat--sits down to await their arrival. (SOCRATES _chants_.)