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SOPOLIS By Zeus, it is no trivial disorder you tell of, Lycinus. The man must be helped by all means. As good luck would have it, I came away with this medicine, made up for an insane person, so that by taking it he might throw off his bile. Come, you be the first to take it, Lexiphanes, that we may have you cured and cleansed, once you have rid yourself of such impossible language. Do obey me and take it, and you will feel better.
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LEXIPHANES I don’t know what you and Lycinus mean to do to me, Sopolis, plying me with this drench. Indeed, I fear your draught may chill my vocabulary. LYCINUS Drink without delay, that at last you may be human in thought and speech.
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LEXIPHANES There, I obey and drink. Oh me, what is this? The bombilation is vast! I would seem to have swallowed a familiar spirit.Cf. i Sam. (in the Septuagint, i Kings) 28, 8.
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SOPOLIS Begin now to lighten yourself. Aha! First, this “prithee,” then after it “eftsoons” has come up; then on their heels his “quoth he” and “in some wise,’ and “fair sir,” and “in sooth,’ and _ his incessant “sundry.” Make an effort, however; put your fingers down your throat. You have not yet given up “instanter” or “pandiculation” or “divagation” or “spoliation.” Many things still lurk in hiding and your inwards are full of them.Some of these monde: (λῶστε, ἴκταρ, σκορδινᾶσθαι, τευτάζεσθαι, σκύλλεσθαι) have not been used by Lexiphanes in this present exhibition of his powers. Compare the list in A Professor of Public Speaking, 16: 76 τὸ ἄττα καὶ κᾶτα καὶ μῶν καὶ ἀμηγέπη καὶ λῶστε. _ It would be better if some should take the opposite course, Anyhow, “vilipendency” will make a great racket when it comes tumbling out on the wings of the wind.
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Well, this man is now purged, unless something has remained behind in his lower intestines. It is for you next, Lycinus, to take him on, mending his education and teaching him what to say.
