A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

200 The Age of Pericles
Wasps, 549 f[. Or that leads a happier, pleasanter life, than a justice of Athens,
Jusl. Two drachmas for those scarecrows! and our seamen
What would they say to it?—left in arrears,
Poor fellows, that are our support and safeguard.
Out, out upon it! I'm a plundered man.
I'm robbed and ruined here with the Odomantians.
They're seizing upon my garlic.
Theo. (to the Thracians) Oh for shame,
Let the man's garlic alone. You shabby fellow,
You countryman, take care what you're about;
Don't venture near them when they're primed with garlic.
Just. You magistrates, have you the face to see it,
With your own eyes— your fellow-citizen
Here, in the city itself, robbed by barbarians?
Rain was an But I forbid the Assembly. There's a change
unpropitious
In the heaven! I felt a drop of rain! I'm witness!
sign, dissolving
the assembly.
Her. The Thracians must withdraw, to attend again
The first of next month. The Assembly is closed.
VII. The Jurors
The old
juror.
Aristophanes,
Wasps, 88 ff.
The speaker
"He is a law-court lover, no man like him.
Judging is what he dotes on, and he weeps
Unless he sits on the front bench of all.
At night he gets no sleep, no, not one grain,
Or if he doze the tiniest speck, his soul
is his son, Flutters in dreams about the water-clock. . . .
who has
found it necessary
The cock which crew at morningtide, he said.
to Was tampered with, he knew, to call him late.
keep the old
man confined
Bribed by ofBcials whose accounts were due.
at home, to Breakfast scarce done, he clamors for his shoes,
curb his passion
for jury
Hurries ere daybreak to the Court, and sleeps
service. Stuck like a limpit to the doorpost there. . . .
Such is his frenzy, and the more you chide him
Greect, 175;
A ncient The more he judges: so with bolts and bars
World, 195 f.
We guard him straitly that he stir not out."
Chorus of
jurors.
Aristophanes,
No kingher power than ours in any part of the world exists.
Is there any creature on earth more blest, more feared, and petted
from day to day.
though old and gray?