that I will; I am urgently needed to be at Athens to
attend the assembly; for I am charged with the
interests
of
Pharnaces.
Aristophanes
_)
AN INSPECTOR. Where are the Proxeni?[296]
PISTHETAERUS. Who is this Sardanapalus?[297]
INSPECTOR. I have been appointed by lot to come to Nephelococcygia as
inspector.[298]
PISTHETAERUS. An inspector! and who sends you here, you rascal?
INSPECTOR. A decree of Taleas.[299]
PISTHETAERUS. Will you just pocket your salary, do nothing, and be off?
INSPECTOR. I' faith!
that I will; I am urgently needed to be at Athens to
attend the assembly; for I am charged with the
interests
of
Pharnaces.
[300]
PISTHETAERUS. Take it then, and be off. See, here is your salary. (_Beats
him._)
INSPECTOR. What does this mean?
PISTHETAERUS. 'Tis the assembly where you have to defend Pharnaces.
INSPECTOR. You shall testify that they dare to strike me, the inspector.
PISTHETAERUS. Are you not going to clear out with your urns. 'Tis not to
be believed; they send us inspectors before we have so much as paid
sacrifice to the gods.
A DEALER IN DECREES. "If the Nephelococcygian does wrong to the
Athenian.
