ot a blackguard?

Unj. And if he be a blackguard, what harm will he
suffer?

Just. Nay, what could he ever suffer still greater than
this?

Unj. What then will you say if you be conquered by me in
this?

Just. I will be silent: what else can I do?

Unj. Come, now, tell me; from what class do the
advocates come?

Just. From the blackguards.

Unj. I believe you. What then? From what class do
tragedians come?

Just. From the blackguards.

Unj. You say well. But from what class do the public
orators come?

Just. From the blackguards.

Unj. Then have you perceived that you say nothing to the
purpose? And look which class among the audience is the
more numerous.

Just. Well now, I'm looking.

Unj. What, then, do you see?

Just. By the gods, the blackguards to be far more
numerous. This fellow, at any rate, I know; and him
yonder; and this fellow with the long hair.

Unj. What, then, will you say?

Just. We are conquered. Ye blackguards, by the gods,
receive my cloak, for I desert to you.

[Exeunt the Two Causes, and re-enter Socrates and
Strepsiades.]

Soc. What then? whether do you wish to take and lead
away this your son, or shall I teach him to speak?

Strep. Teach him, and chastise him: and remember that
you train him properly; on the one side able for petty
suits; but train his other jaw able for the more
important causes.

Soc. Make yourself easy; you shall receive him back a
clever sophist.

Strep. Nay, rather, pale and wretched.

[Exeunt Socrates, Strepsiades, and Phidippides.]

Cho. Go ye, then: but I think that you will repent of
these proceedings. We wish to speak about the judges,
what they will gain, if at all they justly assist this
Chorus. For in the first place, if you wish to plough up
your fields in spring, we will rain for you first; but
for the others afterward. And then we will protect the
fruits, and the vines, so that neither drought afflict
them, nor excessive wet weather. But if any mortal
dishonour us who are goddesses, let him consider what
evils he will suffer at our hands, obtaining neither
wine nor anything else from his farm. For when his
olives and vines sprout, they shall be cut down; with
such slings