Parodos
[Lyric-Scene 1]
D'you see? he also approves. But listen, here is another thing in which we can serve you. If a man vows to offer a sacrifice to some god, and then procrastinates,
Pisthetaerus
pretending that the gods can wait, and thus does not keep his word, we shall punish his stinginess.
1620
Pisthetaerus
While he is counting his money or is in the bath, a kite will relieve him, before he knows it, either in coin or in clothes,
of the value of a couple of sheep, and carry it to the god.
1625
Heracles
I vote for restoring them the scepter.
Heracles
Hi! Triballus, do you want a thrashing?
Triballus
Sure, bashum head withum stick.
Heracles
He says, Right willingly.
Poseidon
If that be the opinion of both of you, why, I consent too.
1630
Heracles
Very well! we accord you the scepter.
Pisthetaerus
Ah! I was nearly forgetting another condition. I will leave Here to Zeus, but only if the young Basileia
is given me in marriage.
1635
Poseidon
Then you don't want peace. Let us withdraw.
1635
Pisthetaerus
It matters mighty little to me. Cook, look to the gravy.
Heracles
What an odd fellow this Poseidon is! Where are you off to? Are we going to war about a woman?
Poseidon
What else is there to do?
1640
Heracles
What else? Why, conclude peace.
1640
Poseidon
Oh! you blockhead! do you always want to be fooled? Why, you are seeking your own downfall. If Zeus were to die, after having yielded them the sovereignty, you would be ruined, for you are the heir of
all the wealth he will leave behind.
1645
Pisthetaerus
Oh! by the gods! how he is cajoling you. Step aside, that I may have a word with you. Your uncle is getting the better of you, my poor friend.
The law will not allow you an obolus of the paternal property, for you are a bastard and not a legitimate child.
1650
Heracles
I a bastard! What's that you tell me?
Pisthetaerus
Why, certainly; are you not born of a stranger woman? Besides, is not Athena recognized as Zeus' sole heiress? And no daughter would be that, if she had a legitimate brother.
Heracles
But what if my father wished to give me his property on his death-bed, even though I be a bastard?
1655
Pisthetaerus
The law forbids it, and this same Poseidon would be the first to lay claim to his wealth, in virtue of being his legitimate brother. Listen;
thus runs Solon's law: A bastard shall not inherit, if there are
1660
legitimate children; and if there are no legitimate children, the property shall pass to the nearest kin.
1665
Heracles
And I get nothing whatever of the paternal property?
