30
What in the world are you going to tell us, my child? The symptoms that precede the utterance are already alarming. His color is fading, his eyes are rolling, his hair is standing on end, and his gestures are those of a Korybant. His whole bearing is mystic, frantic, possessed.
31
Hear now the word divine, declared by the prophet Apollo Dealing with shuddering strife that men wage, shrill with their screaming, Armed cap-a-pie with words, with arguments well-compacted. Hither and yon with the clucking that shifts to the side of the victor Strike they and bear to earth the towering stern of the plow-tail. Yet, when the locust shall fall 'neath the crooked claw of the vulture, Then the rain - bringing crows shall utter their ultimate portent. Victory lies with the mules, but the ass shall butt his fleet children.
31
Why do you burst out laughing at this, Momus? Surely there is nothing humorous in our present situation. Stop, wretch, or you will choke with laughing.
31
How can I help laughing at such a clear, straightforward oracle?
31
Then, perhaps, you will kindly interpret to us what he says.
31
It is perfectly plain, so that we shall not need Themistokles. The oracle says clearly that the seer is a juggler and that we are packasses, by Zeus! and mules to believe in him, with not the wit of a locust among us.
32
I do not hesitate, father, to express my views, even though I am only a resident foreigner. My idea is that when they meet and are already engaged in discussion, then, if Timokles prove the better man, we will allow the meeting to proceed to our advantage. But if it turn out otherwise, then by your leave I will shake the Porch itself from its foundations and hurl it at Damis, so that the accursed wretch may not offer insult to us.
