AMYNIAS. Instead of jeering me, friend, make your son return me the money he has had of me; I am already unfortunate enough. STREPSIADES. What money? AMYNIAS. The money he borrowed of me. STREPSIADES. You have indeed had misfortune, it seems to me. AMYNIAS. Yes, by the gods! I have been thrown from a chariot. STREPSIADES. Why then drivel as if you had fallen from an ass?[570] AMYNIAS. Am I drivelling because I demand my money? STREPSIADES. No, no, you cannot be in your right senses. AMYNIAS. Why? STREPSIADES. No doubt your poor wits have had a shake. AMYNIAS. But by Hermes! I will sue you at law, if you do not pay me. STREPSIADES. Just tell me; do you think it is always fresh water that Zeus lets fall every time it rains, or is it always the same water that the sun pumps over the earth? AMYNIAS. I neither know, nor care. STREPSIADES. And actually you would claim the right to demand your money, when you know not a syllable of these celestial phenomena? AMYNIAS. If you are short, pay me the interest, at any rate. STREPSIADES. What kind of animal is interest? AMYNIAS. What? Does not the sum borrowed go on growing, growing every month, each day as the time slips by? STREPSIADES. Well put. But do you believe there is more water in the sea now than there was formerly? AMYNIAS. No, 'tis just the same quantity. It cannot increase. STREPSIADES. Thus, poor fool, the sea, that receives the rivers, never grows, and yet you would have your money grow? Get you gone, away with you, quick! Ho! bring me the ox-goad! AMYNIAS. Hither! you witnesses there! STREPSIADES. Come, what are you waiting for? Will you not budge, old nag! AMYNIAS. What an insult! STREPSIADES. Unless you get a-trotting, I shall catch you and prick up your behind, you sorry packhorse! Ah! you start, do you? I was about to drive you pretty fast, I tell you--you and your wheels and your chariot! CHORUS. Whither does the passion of evil lead! here is a perverse old man, who wants to cheat his creditors; but some mishap, which will speedily punish this rogue for his shameful schemings, cannot fail to overtake him from to-day. For a long time he has been burning to have his son know how to fight against all justice and right and to gain even the most iniquitous causes against his adversaries every one. I think this wish is going to be fulfilled. But mayhap, mayhap, he will soon wish his son were dumb rather! STREPSIADES. Oh! oh! neighbours, kinsmen, fellow-citizens, help! help! to the rescue, I am being beaten! Oh! my head! oh! my jaw! Scoundrel! do you beat your own father! PHIDIPPIDES. Yes, father, I do. STREPSIADES. See! he admits he is beating me. PHIDIPPIDES. Undoubtedly I do. STREPSIADES. You villain, you parricide, you gallows-bird! PHIDIPPIDES. Go on, repeat your epithets, call me a thousand other names, an it please you. The more you curse, the greater my amusement! STREPSIADES. Oh! you infamous cynic!