Parodos
[Lyric-Scene]
Where are the Proxeni?
Pisthetaerus
Who is this Sardanapalus?
Inspector
I have been appointed by lot to come to Nephelococcygia as inspector.
Pisthetaerus
An inspector! and who sends you here, you rascal?
Inspector
A decree of Teleas.
Pisthetaerus
Will you just pocket your salary, do nothing, and get out?
1025
Inspector
Indeed I will; I am urgently needed to be at Athens to attend the Assembly; for I am charged with the interests of Pharnaces.
Pisthetaerus
Take it then, and get on your way. This is your salary.
He beats him.
Inspector
What does this mean?
1030
Pisthetaerus
This is the assembly where you have to defend Pharnaces.
1030
Inspector
You shall testify that they dare to strike me, the inspector.
Pisthetaerus
Are you not going to get out with your urns? It's not to be believed; they send us inspectors before we have so much as paid sacrifice to the gods.
Dealer in Decrees
If the Nephelococcygian does wrong to the Athenian ...
1035
Pisthetaerus
What trouble now? What book is that?
Dealer in Decrees
I am a dealer in decrees, and I have come here to sell you the new laws.
Dealer in Decrees
The Nephelococcygians shall adopt the same weights, measures and decrees as the Olophyxians.
1040
Pisthetaerus
And you shall soon be imitating the Ototyxians.
Dealer in Decrees
Ow! what are you doing?
Pisthetaerus
Now will you get out of here with your decrees? For I am going to let you see some severe ones.
Inspector
I summon Pisthetaerus for outrage for the month of Munychion.
Pisthetaerus
Ha! my friend! are you still here?
Dealer in Decrees
Should anyone drive away the magistrates and not receive them, according to the decree duly posted ...
1050
Pisthetaerus
What! rascal! you are back too?
Inspector
Woe to you! I'll have you condemned to a fine of ten thousand drachmae.
Pisthetaerus
And I'll smash your urns.
Inspector
Do you recall that evening when you crapped on the column where the decrees are posted?
Pisthetaerus
Here! here! let him be seized.
The Inspector runs off. Why, don't you want to stay any longer? But let us get indoors as quick as possible; we will sacrifice the goat inside.
1055
[Parabasis 1]
Henceforth it is to me that mortals must address
First Semi-Chorus
their sacrifices and their prayers. Nothing escapes my sight nor my might. My glance embraces the universe, I preserve the fruit in the flower by destroying the thousand kinds of voracious insects the soil produces, which attack the trees
1060
