crowds are surging under the market porticos, encumbered with wheat that is being measured, wine-skins, oar-leathers, garlic, olives, onions in nets; everywhere are chaplets, sprats, flute-girls, black eyes; in the arsenal bolts are being noisily driven home, sweeps are being made and fitted with leathers; we hear nothing but the sound of whistles, of flutes and fifes to encourage the work-folk. That is what you assuredly would have done, and would not Telephus have done the same? So I come to my general conclusion; we have no common sense. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS. Oh! wretch! oh! infamous man! You are naught but a beggar and yet you dare to talk to us like this! you insult their worships the informers! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS. By Posidon! he speaks the truth; he has not lied in a single detail. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS. But though it be true, need he say it? But you'll have no great cause to be proud of your insolence! SECOND SEMI-CHORUS. Where are you running to? Don't you move; if you strike this man I shall be at you. FIRST SEMI-CHORUS. Lamachus, whose glance flashes lightning, whose plume petrifies thy foes, help! Oh! Lamachus, my friend, the hero of my tribe and all of you, both officers and soldiers, defenders of our walls, come to my aid; else is it all over with me! LAMACHUS. Whence comes this cry of battle? where must I bring my aid? where must I sow dread? who wants me to uncase my dreadful Gorgon's head?[217] DICAEOPOLIS. Oh, Lamachus, great hero! Your plumes and your cohorts terrify me. CHORUS. This man, Lamachus, incessantly abuses Athens. LAMACHUS. You are but a mendicant and you dare to use language of this sort? DICAEOPOLIS. Oh, brave Lamachus, forgive a beggar who speaks at hazard. LAMACHUS. But what have you said? Let us hear. DICAEOPOLIS. I know nothing about it; the sight of weapons makes me dizzy. Oh! I adjure you, take that fearful Gorgon somewhat farther away. LAMACHUS. There. DICAEOPOLIS. Now place it face downwards on the ground. LAMACHUS. It is done. DICAEOPOLIS. Give me a plume out of your helmet. LAMACHUS. Here is a feather. DICAEOPOLIS. And hold my head while I vomit; the plumes have turned my stomach. LAMACHUS. Hah! what are you proposing to do? do you want to make yourself vomit with this feather? DICAEOPOLIS. Is it a feather? what bird's? a braggart's? LAMACHUS. Ah! ah! I will rip you open. DICAEOPOLIS. No, no, Lamachus! Violence is out of place here! But as you are so strong, why did you not circumcise me? You have all you want for the operation there. LAMACHUS. A beggar dares thus address a general! DICAEOPOLIS. How? Am I a beggar? LAMACHUS. What are you then? DICAEOPOLIS. Who am I? A good citizen, not ambitious; a soldier, who has fought well since the outbreak of the war, whereas you are but a vile mercenary. LAMACHUS. They elected me....