Why, the crime is clear; the foul brute this very moment
belched forth a
horrible
odour of cheese right under my nose.
Aristophanes
Here he is.
PHILOCLEON. Why, 'tis a second Labes, a great barker and a licker of
dishes.
SOSIAS (_Herald_). Silence! Keep your seats! (_To Xanthias._) And you, up
on your feet and accuse him.
PHILOCLEON. Go on, and I will help myself and eat these lentils.
XANTHIAS. Men of the jury, listen to this indictment I have drawn up. He
has committed the blackest of crimes, both against me and the
seamen.[101] He sought refuge in a dark corner to glutton on a big
Sicilian cheese, with which he sated his hunger.
PHILOCLEON.
Why, the crime is clear; the foul brute this very moment
belched forth a
horrible
odour of cheese right under my nose.
XANTHIAS. And he refused to share with me. And yet can anyone style
himself your benefactor, when he does not cast a morsel to your poor dog?
PHILOCLEON. Then he has not shared?
XANTHIAS. Not with me, his comrade.
PHILOCLEON. Then his madness is as hot as my lentils.
BDELYCLEON. In the name of the gods, father! No hurried verdict without
hearing the other side!
PHILOCLEON. But the evidence is plain; the fact speaks for itself.
