He would not have dared, had he not been a conspirator.

CHORUS: Meanwhile, you must devise some new dodge, so that you can come down here without his knowledge.

PHILOCLEON: But what? Try to find some way. For myself, I am ready for anything, so much do I burn to run along the tiers of the tribunal with my voting-pebble in my hand.

CHORUS: There is surely some hole through which you could manage to squeeze from within, and escape dressed in rags, like the crafty Odysseus.

Everything is sealed fast; not so much as a gnat could get through. Think of some other plan; there is no possible hold of escape.

CHORUS: Do you recall how, when you were with the army at the taking of Naxos, you descended so readily from the top of the wall by means of the spits you have stolen?

PHILOCLEON: I remember that well enough, but what connection is there with present circumstances? I was young, clever at thieving, I had all my strength, none watched over me, and I could run off without fear. But to-day men-at-arms are placed at every outlet to watch me, and two of them are lying in wait for me at this very door armed with spits, just as folk lie in wait for a cat that has stolen a piece of meat.

Come, discover some way as quick as possible. Here is the dawn come, my dear little friend.

PHILOCLEON: The best way is to gnaw through the net. Oh! goddess, who watches over the nets, forgive me for making a hole in this one.

CHORUS: 'Tis acting like a man eager for his safety. Get your jaws to work!

PHILOCLEON: There! 'tis gnawed through! But no shouting! let Bdelycleon notice nothing!

Have no fear, have no fear! if he breathes a syllable, 'twill be to bruise his own knuckles; he will have to fight to defend his own head. We shall teach him not to insult the mysteries of the goddesses. But fasten a rope to the window, tie it around your body and let yourself down to the ground, with your heart bursting with the fury of Diopithes.

PHILOCLEON: But if these notice it and want to fish me up and drag me back into the house, what will you do? Tell me that.

We shall call up the full strength of out courage to your aid. That is what we will do.

PHILOCLEON: I trust myself to you and risk the danger. If misfortune overtakes me, take away my body, bathe it with your tears and bury it beneath the bar of the tribunal.

CHORUS: Nothing will happen to you, rest assured. Come friend, have courage and let yourself slide down while you invoke your country's gods.

Oh! mighty Lycus! noble hero and my neighbour, thou, like myself, takest pleasure in the tears and the groans of the accused. If thou art come to live near the tribunal, 'tis with the express design of hearing them incessantly; thou alone of all the heroes hast wished to remain among those who weep. Have pity on me and save him, who lives close to thee; I swear I will never make water, never, nor relieve my belly with a fart against the railing of thy statue.

Ho there! ho! get up!

SOSIAS: What's the matter?

BDELYCLEON: Methought I heard talking close to me.

SOSIAS: Is the old man at it again, escaping through some loophole?

BDELYCLEON: No, by Zeus! no, but he is letting himself down by a rope.

SOSIAS: Ha, rascal! what are you doing there? You shall not descend.

BDELYCLEON: Mount quick to the other window, strike him with the boughs that hang over the entrance; perchance he will turn back when he feels himself being thrashed.

Ho there! ho! get up!

SOSIAS: What's the matter?

BDELYCLEON: Methought I heard talking close to me.

SOSIAS: Is the old man at it again, escaping through some loophole?

BDELYCLEON: No, by Zeus! no, but he is letting himself down by a rope.

SOSIAS: Ha, rascal! what are you doing there? You shall not descend.

BDELYCLEON: Mount quick to the other window, strike him with the boughs that hang over the entrance; perchance he will turn back when he feels himself being thrashed.