The
captives
of Pylos.
Aristophanes
DISCIPLE. He spread over the table a light layer of cinders, bending an
iron rod the while; then he took up a pair of compasses and at the same
moment unhooked a piece of the victim which was hanging in the
palaestra. [488]
STREPSIADES. And we still dare to admire Thales! [489] Open, open this
home of knowledge to me quickly! Haste, haste to show me Socrates; I long
to become his disciple. But do, do open the door. (_The disciple admits
Strepsiades. _) Ah! by Heracles! what country are those animals from?
DISCIPLE. Why, what are you astonished at? What do you think they
resemble?
STREPSIADES.
The captives of Pylos. [490] But why do they look so fixedly
on the ground?
DISCIPLE. They are seeking for what is below the ground.
STREPSIADES. Ah! 'tis onions they are seeking. Do not give yourselves so
much trouble; I know where there are some, fine and large ones. But what
are those fellows doing, who are bent all double?
DISCIPLE. They are sounding the abysses of Tartarus. [491]
STREPSIADES. And what is their rump looking at in the heavens?
DISCIPLE. It is studying astronomy on its own account. But come in; so
that the master may not find us here.
