Parodos
[Lyric-Scene]
Look at the book
Pisthetaerus
and go and hang yourself.
990
Oracle-Monger
Oh! unfortunate wretch that I am.
He departs.
990
Pisthetaerus
Away with you, and take your prophecies elsewhere.
Meton
I have come to you . . .
Pisthetaerus
Yet another pest! What have you come to do? What's your plan? What's the purpose of your journey? Why these splendid buskins?
Meton
I want to survey the plains of the air for you and to parcel them into lots.
995
Pisthetaerus
In the name of the gods, who are you?
Meton
Who am I? Meton, known throughout Greece and at Colonus.
Pisthetaerus
What are these things?
Meton
Tools for measuring the air.
In truth, the spaces in the air have precisely the form of a furnace. With this bent ruler I draw a line from top to bottom; from one of its points I describe a circle with the compass. Do you understand?
1000
Pisthetaerus
Not in the least.
Meton
With the straight ruler I set to work to inscribe
a square within this circle; in its center will be the market-place, into which all the straight streets will lead, converging to this center like a star, which, although only orbicular, sends forth its rays in a straight line from all sides.
1005
Pisthetaerus
A regular Thales!
Meton
What d'you want with me?
1010
Pisthetaerus
I want to give you a proof of my friendship. Use your legs.
1010
Meton
Why, what have I to fear?
Pisthetaerus
It's the same here as in Sparta. Strangers are driven away, and blows rain down as thick as hail.
Meton
Is there sedition in your city?
Pisthetaerus
No, certainly not.
1015
Meton
What's wrong then?
1015
Pisthetaerus
We are agreed to sweep all quacks and impostors far from our borders.
1015
Meton
Then I'll be going.
Pisthetaerus
I'm afraid it's too late. The thunder growls already.
Pisthetaerus
I warned you.
Now, be off, and do your surveying somewhere else.
1020
