MEGARIAN. In five years it will be just like its mother. DICAEOPOLIS. But it cannot be sacrificed. MEGARIAN. And why not? DICAEOPOLIS. It has no tail.[234] MEGARIAN. Because it is quite young, but in good time it will have a big one, thick and red. DICAEOPOLIS. The two are as like as two peas. MEGARIAN. They are born of the same father and mother; let them be fattened, let them grow their bristles, and they will be the finest sows you can offer to Aphrodité. DICAEOPOLIS. But sows are not immolated to Aphrodité. MEGARIAN. Not sows to Aphrodité! Why, 'tis the only goddess to whom they are offered! the flesh of my sows will be excellent on the spit. DICAEOPOLIS. Can they eat alone? They no longer need their mother! MEGARIAN. Certainly not, nor their father. DICAEOPOLIS. What do they like most? MEGARIAN. Whatever is given them; but ask for yourself. DICAEOPOLIS. Speak! little sow. DAUGHTER. Wee-wee, wee-wee! DICAEOPOLIS. Can you eat chick-pease?[235] DAUGHTER. Wee-wee, wee-wee, wee-wee! DICAEOPOLIS. And Attic figs? DAUGHTER. Wee-wee, wee-wee! DICAEOPOLIS. What sharp squeaks at the name of figs. Come, let some figs be brought for these little pigs. Will they eat them? Goodness! how they munch them, what a grinding of teeth, mighty Heracles! I believe those pigs hail from the land of the Voracians. But surely, 'tis impossible they have bolted all the figs! MEGARIAN. Yes, certainly, bar this one that I took from them. DICAEOPOLIS. Ah! what funny creatures! For what sum will you sell them? MEGARIAN. I will give you one for a bunch of garlic, and the other, if you like, for a quart measure of salt. DICAEOPOLIS. I buy them of you. Wait for me here. MEGARIAN. The deal is done. Hermes, god of good traders, grant I may sell both my wife and my mother in the same way! AN INFORMER. Hi! fellow, what countryman are you? MEGARIAN. I am a pig-merchant from Megara. INFORMER. I shall denounce both your pigs and yourself as public enemies. MEGARIAN. Ah! here our troubles begin afresh! INFORMER. Let go that sack. I will punish your Megarian lingo.[236] MEGARIAN. Dicaeopolis, Dicaeopolis, they want to denounce me. DICAEOPOLIS. Who dares do this thing? Inspectors, drive out the Informers. Ah! you offer to enlighten us without a lamp![237] INFORMER. What! I may not denounce our enemies? DICAEOPOLIS. Have a care for yourself, if you don't go off pretty quick to denounce elsewhere. MEGARIAN. What a plague to Athens! DICAEOPOLIS. Be reassured, Megarian. Here is the value of your two swine, the garlic and the salt. Farewell and much happiness! MEGARIAN. Ah! we never have that amongst us. DICAEOPOLIS. Well! may the inopportune wish apply to myself. MEGARIAN. Farewell, dear little sows, and seek, far from your father, to munch your bread with salt, if they give you any.