章节正文
By Posidon! what a fine crew they make and dense as the crust of a
cake; they are as nimble as guests on their way to a feast.
TRYGAEUS
See, how their iron spades glitter and how beautifully their
three-pronged mattocks glisten in the sun! How regularly they align
the plants! I also burn to go into the country and to turn over the
earth I have so long neglected.-Friends, do you remember the happy
life that Peace afforded us formerly; can you recall the splendid
baskets of figs, both fresh and dried, the myrtles, the sweet wine,
the violets blooming near the spring, and the olives, for which we
have wept so much? Worship, adore the goddess for restoring you so
many blessings.
CHORUS (singing)
Hail! hail! thou beloved divinity! thy return overwhelms us with
joy. When far from thee, my ardent wish to see my fields again made me
pine with regret. From thee came all blessings. Oh! much desired
Peace! thou art the sole support of those who spend their lives
tilling the earth. Under thy rule we had a thousand delicious
enjoyments at our beck; thou wert the husbandman's wheaten cake and
his safeguard. So that our vineyards, our young fig-tree woods and all
our plantations hail thee with delight and smile at thy coming.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
But where was she then, I wonder, all the long time she spent away
from us? Hermes, thou benevolent god, tell us!
HERMES
Wise husbandmen, hearken to my words, if you want to know why
she was lost to you. The start of our misfortunes was the exile of
Phidias; Pericles feared he might share his in-luck, he mistrusted
your peevish nature and, to prevent all danger to himself, he threw
out that little spark, the Megarian decree, set the city aflame, and
blew up the conflagration with a hurricane of war, so that the smoke
drew tears from all Greeks both here and over there. At the very
outset of this fire our vines were a-crackle, our casks knocked
together; it was beyond the power of any man to stop the disaster, and
Peace disappeared.
TRYGAEUS
That, by Apollo is what no one ever told me; I could not think
what connection there could be between Phidias and Peace.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Nor I, until now. This accounts for her beauty, if she is
related to him. There are so many things that escape us.
HERMES
Then, when the towns subject to you saw that you were angered
one against the other and were showing each other your teeth like
dogs, they hatched a thousand plots to pay you no more dues and gained
over the chief citizens of Sparta at the price of gold. They, being as
shamelessly greedy as they were faithless in diplomacy, chased off
Peace with ignominy to let loose War. Though this was profitable to
them, it was the ruin of the husbandmen, who were innocent of all
blame; for, in revenge, your galleys went out to devour their figs.
TRYGAEUS
And with justice too; did they not break down my black fig tree,
which I had planted and dunged with my own hands?
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Yes, by Zeus! yes, that was well done; the wretches broke a
chest for me with stones, which held six medimni of corn.
HERMES
Then the rural labourers flocked into the city and let
themselves be bought over like the others. Not having even a
grape-stone to munch and longing after their figs, they looked towards
the demagogues. These well knew that the poor were driven to extremity
and lacked even bread; but they nevertheless drove away the Goddess,
each time she reappeared in answer to the wish of the country, with
their loud shrieks that were as sharp as pitchforks; furthermore, they
attacked the well-filled purses of the richest among our allies on the
pretence that they belonged to Brasidas' party. And then you would
tear the poor accused wretch to pieces with your teeth; for the
city, all pale with hunger and cowed with terror, gladly snapped up
any calumny that was thrown it to devour. So the strangers, seeing
what terrible blows the informers dealt, sealed their lips with
gold. They grew rich, while you, alas! you could only see that
Greece was going to ruin. It was the tanner who was the author of
all this woe.
TRYGAEUS
Enough said, Hermes leave that man in Hades, whither he has
gone; be no longer belongs to us, but rather to you. That he was a
cheat, a braggart, a calumniator when alive, why, nothing could be
truer; but anything you might say now would be an insult to one of
your own folk.
(To PEACE) Oh! venerated Goddess! why art thou silent?
HERMES
And how could she speak to the spectators? She is too angry at all
that they have made her suffer.
TRYGAEUS
At least let her speak a little to you, Hermes.
HERMES
Tell me, my dear, what are your feelings with regard to them?
Come, you relentless foe of all bucklers, speak; I am listening to
you. (PEACE whispers into HERMES' ear.) Is that your grievance against
them? Yes, yes, I understand. Hearken, you folk, this is her
complaint. She says, that after the affair of Pylos she came to you
unbidden to bring you a basket full of truces and that you thrice
repulsed her by your votes in the assembly.
TRYGAEUS
Yes, we did wrong, but forgive us, for our mind was then
entirely absorbed in leather.
HERMES
Listen again to what she has just asked me. Who was her greatest
foe here? and furthermore, had she a friend who exerted himself to put
an end to the fighting?
TRYGAEUS
Her most devoted friend was Cleonymus; it is undisputed.
HERMES
How then did Cleonymus behave in fights?
TRYGAEUS
Oh! the bravest of warriors! Only he was not born of the father he
claims; he showed it quick enough in the army by throwing away his
weapons.
HERMES
There is yet another question she has just put to me. Who rules
now in the rostrum?
TRYGAEUS
It's Hyperbolus who now holds empire on the Pnyx. (To PEACE)
What now? you turn away your head!
HERMES
She is vexed, that the people should give themselves a wretch of
that kind for their chief.
TRYGAEUS
Oh! we shall not employ him again; but the people, seeing
themselves without a leader, took him haphazard, just as a man, who is
naked, springs upon the first cloak he sees.
HERMES
She asks, what will be the result of such a choice by the city?
TRYGAEUS
We shall be more far-seeing in consequence.
HERMES
And why?
TRYGAEUS
Because he is a lamp-maker. Formerly we only directed our
busines by groping in the dark; now we shall only deliberate by
lamplight.
HERMES
Oh! oh! what questions she does order me to put to you!
TRYGAEUS
What are they?
HERMES
She wants to have news of a whole heap of old-fashioned things she
left here. First of all, how is Sophocles?
TRYGAEUS
Very well, but something very strange has happened to him.
HERMES
What then?
TRYGAEUS
He has turned from Sophocles into Simonides.
HERMES
Into Simonides? How so?
TRYGAEUS
Because, though old and broken-down as he is, he would put to
sea on a hurdle to gain an obolus.
HERMES
And wise Cratinus, is he still alive?
TRYGAEUS
He died about the time of the Laconian invasion.
HERMES
How?
TRYGAEUS
Of a swoon. He could not bear the shock of seeing one of his casks
full of wine broken. Ah! what a number of other misfortunes our city
has suffered! So, dearest mistress, nothing can now separate us from
thee.
HERMES
If that be so, receive Opora here for a wife; take her to the
country, live with her, and grow fine grapes together.
TRYGAEUS (to OPORA)
Come, my dear one, come and accept my kisses. (To HERMES) Tell me,
Hermes, my master, do you think it would hurt me to love her a little,
after so long an abstinence?
HERMES
No, not if you swallow a potion of penny-royal afterwards. But
hasten to lead Theoria to the Senate; that was where she lodged
before.
TRYGAEUS
Oh! fortunate Senate! Thanks to Theoria, what soups you will
swallow for the space of three days! how you will devour meats and
cooked tripe! Come, farewell, friend Hermes!
HERMES
And to you also, my dear sir, may you have much happiness, and
don't forget me.
TRYGAEUS (looking around for his dung-beetle)
Come, beetle, home, home, and let us fly on a swift wing.
HERMES
Oh! he is no longer here.
TRYGAEUS
Where has he gone to then?
HERMES
He is 'harnessed to the chariot of Zeus and bears the
thunderbolts.'
TRYGAEUS
But where will the poor wretch get his food?
HERMES
He will eat Ganymede's ambrosia.
TRYGAEUS
Very well then, but how am I going to descend?
HERMES
Oh! never fear, there is nothing simpler; place yourself beside
the goddess.
TRYGAEUS
Come, my pretty maidens, follow me quickly; there are plenty of
men waiting for you with their tools ready.
(He goes out, with OPORA and THEORIA.)
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
cake; they are as nimble as guests on their way to a feast.
TRYGAEUS
See, how their iron spades glitter and how beautifully their
three-pronged mattocks glisten in the sun! How regularly they align
the plants! I also burn to go into the country and to turn over the
earth I have so long neglected.-Friends, do you remember the happy
life that Peace afforded us formerly; can you recall the splendid
baskets of figs, both fresh and dried, the myrtles, the sweet wine,
the violets blooming near the spring, and the olives, for which we
have wept so much? Worship, adore the goddess for restoring you so
many blessings.
CHORUS (singing)
Hail! hail! thou beloved divinity! thy return overwhelms us with
joy. When far from thee, my ardent wish to see my fields again made me
pine with regret. From thee came all blessings. Oh! much desired
Peace! thou art the sole support of those who spend their lives
tilling the earth. Under thy rule we had a thousand delicious
enjoyments at our beck; thou wert the husbandman's wheaten cake and
his safeguard. So that our vineyards, our young fig-tree woods and all
our plantations hail thee with delight and smile at thy coming.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
But where was she then, I wonder, all the long time she spent away
from us? Hermes, thou benevolent god, tell us!
HERMES
Wise husbandmen, hearken to my words, if you want to know why
she was lost to you. The start of our misfortunes was the exile of
Phidias; Pericles feared he might share his in-luck, he mistrusted
your peevish nature and, to prevent all danger to himself, he threw
out that little spark, the Megarian decree, set the city aflame, and
blew up the conflagration with a hurricane of war, so that the smoke
drew tears from all Greeks both here and over there. At the very
outset of this fire our vines were a-crackle, our casks knocked
together; it was beyond the power of any man to stop the disaster, and
Peace disappeared.
TRYGAEUS
That, by Apollo is what no one ever told me; I could not think
what connection there could be between Phidias and Peace.
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Nor I, until now. This accounts for her beauty, if she is
related to him. There are so many things that escape us.
HERMES
Then, when the towns subject to you saw that you were angered
one against the other and were showing each other your teeth like
dogs, they hatched a thousand plots to pay you no more dues and gained
over the chief citizens of Sparta at the price of gold. They, being as
shamelessly greedy as they were faithless in diplomacy, chased off
Peace with ignominy to let loose War. Though this was profitable to
them, it was the ruin of the husbandmen, who were innocent of all
blame; for, in revenge, your galleys went out to devour their figs.
TRYGAEUS
And with justice too; did they not break down my black fig tree,
which I had planted and dunged with my own hands?
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Yes, by Zeus! yes, that was well done; the wretches broke a
chest for me with stones, which held six medimni of corn.
HERMES
Then the rural labourers flocked into the city and let
themselves be bought over like the others. Not having even a
grape-stone to munch and longing after their figs, they looked towards
the demagogues. These well knew that the poor were driven to extremity
and lacked even bread; but they nevertheless drove away the Goddess,
each time she reappeared in answer to the wish of the country, with
their loud shrieks that were as sharp as pitchforks; furthermore, they
attacked the well-filled purses of the richest among our allies on the
pretence that they belonged to Brasidas' party. And then you would
tear the poor accused wretch to pieces with your teeth; for the
city, all pale with hunger and cowed with terror, gladly snapped up
any calumny that was thrown it to devour. So the strangers, seeing
what terrible blows the informers dealt, sealed their lips with
gold. They grew rich, while you, alas! you could only see that
Greece was going to ruin. It was the tanner who was the author of
all this woe.
TRYGAEUS
Enough said, Hermes leave that man in Hades, whither he has
gone; be no longer belongs to us, but rather to you. That he was a
cheat, a braggart, a calumniator when alive, why, nothing could be
truer; but anything you might say now would be an insult to one of
your own folk.
(To PEACE) Oh! venerated Goddess! why art thou silent?
HERMES
And how could she speak to the spectators? She is too angry at all
that they have made her suffer.
TRYGAEUS
At least let her speak a little to you, Hermes.
HERMES
Tell me, my dear, what are your feelings with regard to them?
Come, you relentless foe of all bucklers, speak; I am listening to
you. (PEACE whispers into HERMES' ear.) Is that your grievance against
them? Yes, yes, I understand. Hearken, you folk, this is her
complaint. She says, that after the affair of Pylos she came to you
unbidden to bring you a basket full of truces and that you thrice
repulsed her by your votes in the assembly.
TRYGAEUS
Yes, we did wrong, but forgive us, for our mind was then
entirely absorbed in leather.
HERMES
Listen again to what she has just asked me. Who was her greatest
foe here? and furthermore, had she a friend who exerted himself to put
an end to the fighting?
TRYGAEUS
Her most devoted friend was Cleonymus; it is undisputed.
HERMES
How then did Cleonymus behave in fights?
TRYGAEUS
Oh! the bravest of warriors! Only he was not born of the father he
claims; he showed it quick enough in the army by throwing away his
weapons.
HERMES
There is yet another question she has just put to me. Who rules
now in the rostrum?
TRYGAEUS
It's Hyperbolus who now holds empire on the Pnyx. (To PEACE)
What now? you turn away your head!
HERMES
She is vexed, that the people should give themselves a wretch of
that kind for their chief.
TRYGAEUS
Oh! we shall not employ him again; but the people, seeing
themselves without a leader, took him haphazard, just as a man, who is
naked, springs upon the first cloak he sees.
HERMES
She asks, what will be the result of such a choice by the city?
TRYGAEUS
We shall be more far-seeing in consequence.
HERMES
And why?
TRYGAEUS
Because he is a lamp-maker. Formerly we only directed our
busines by groping in the dark; now we shall only deliberate by
lamplight.
HERMES
Oh! oh! what questions she does order me to put to you!
TRYGAEUS
What are they?
HERMES
She wants to have news of a whole heap of old-fashioned things she
left here. First of all, how is Sophocles?
TRYGAEUS
Very well, but something very strange has happened to him.
HERMES
What then?
TRYGAEUS
He has turned from Sophocles into Simonides.
HERMES
Into Simonides? How so?
TRYGAEUS
Because, though old and broken-down as he is, he would put to
sea on a hurdle to gain an obolus.
HERMES
And wise Cratinus, is he still alive?
TRYGAEUS
He died about the time of the Laconian invasion.
HERMES
How?
TRYGAEUS
Of a swoon. He could not bear the shock of seeing one of his casks
full of wine broken. Ah! what a number of other misfortunes our city
has suffered! So, dearest mistress, nothing can now separate us from
thee.
HERMES
If that be so, receive Opora here for a wife; take her to the
country, live with her, and grow fine grapes together.
TRYGAEUS (to OPORA)
Come, my dear one, come and accept my kisses. (To HERMES) Tell me,
Hermes, my master, do you think it would hurt me to love her a little,
after so long an abstinence?
HERMES
No, not if you swallow a potion of penny-royal afterwards. But
hasten to lead Theoria to the Senate; that was where she lodged
before.
TRYGAEUS
Oh! fortunate Senate! Thanks to Theoria, what soups you will
swallow for the space of three days! how you will devour meats and
cooked tripe! Come, farewell, friend Hermes!
HERMES
And to you also, my dear sir, may you have much happiness, and
don't forget me.
TRYGAEUS (looking around for his dung-beetle)
Come, beetle, home, home, and let us fly on a swift wing.
HERMES
Oh! he is no longer here.
TRYGAEUS
Where has he gone to then?
HERMES
He is 'harnessed to the chariot of Zeus and bears the
thunderbolts.'
TRYGAEUS
But where will the poor wretch get his food?
HERMES
He will eat Ganymede's ambrosia.
TRYGAEUS
Very well then, but how am I going to descend?
HERMES
Oh! never fear, there is nothing simpler; place yourself beside
the goddess.
TRYGAEUS
Come, my pretty maidens, follow me quickly; there are plenty of
men waiting for you with their tools ready.
(He goes out, with OPORA and THEORIA.)
LEADER OF THE CHORUS
- glitter [´glitə]
n.光辉 vi.闪烁，炫耀 (初中英语单词) - formerly [´fɔ:məli] ad.从前，以前 (初中英语单词)
- worship [´wə:ʃip] n.&v.崇拜；敬仰 (初中英语单词)
- goddess [´gɔdis] n.女神 (初中英语单词)
- beloved [bi´lʌvd] a.为....所爱的 n.爱人 (初中英语单词)
- decree [di´kri:] n.法令；公告；天命 (初中英语单词)
- disaster [di´zɑ:stə] n.灾难，不幸 (初中英语单词)
- apollo [ə´pɔləu] n.阿波罗 (初中英语单词)
- connection [kə´nekʃən] n.联系；关系；联运 (初中英语单词)
- greedy [´gri:di] a.贪婪的；馋的 (初中英语单词)
- innocent [´inəsənt] a.无罪的；单纯的 (初中英语单词)
- revenge [ri´vendʒ] vt.报复 n.报仇；报复 (初中英语单词)
- driven [´driv(ə)n] drive 的过去分词 (初中英语单词)
- nevertheless [,nevəðə´les] conj.&ad.然而；不过 (初中英语单词)
- hunger [´hʌŋgə] n.饥饿；渴望 (初中英语单词)
- terror [´terə] n.恐怖；惊骇 (初中英语单词)
- insult [in´sʌlt, ´insʌlt] n.&vt.侮辱；损害 (初中英语单词)
- forgive [fə´giv] vt.原谅，谅解，宽恕 (初中英语单词)
- behave [bi´heiv] v.举止；表现；举止端正 (初中英语单词)
- old-fashioned [´əuld´feʃənd] a.老式的；过时的 (初中英语单词)
- mistress [´mistris] n.女主人；情妇；女能手 (初中英语单词)
- swallow [swɔləu] n.燕子 v.吞，咽；淹没 (初中英语单词)
- fortunate [´fɔ:tʃənət] a.幸运的，侥幸的 (初中英语单词)
- farewell [feə´wel] int.再见 n.&a.告别 (初中英语单词)
- waiting [´weitiŋ] n.等候；伺候 (初中英语单词)
- chorus [´kɔ:rəs] n.合唱；齐声 v.合唱 (初中英语单词)
- glisten [´glisən] vi.&n.闪烁，闪闪发光 (高中英语单词)
- regularly [´regjuləli] ad.有规律地；经常地 (高中英语单词)
- safeguard [´seifgɑ:d] n.保护措施；护送者 (高中英语单词)
- profitable [´prɔfitəbəl] a.有益的；有用的 (高中英语单词)
- devour [di´vauə] vt.吞食；毁坏 (高中英语单词)
- longing [´lɔŋiŋ] n.&a.渴望(的) (高中英语单词)
- furthermore [,fə:ðə´mɔ:] ad.而且，此外 (高中英语单词)
- allies [´ælaiz, ə´laiz] n.协约国 (高中英语单词)
- gladly [´glædli] ad.愉快地，高兴地 (高中英语单词)
- deliberate [di´libəreit] a.慎重的；故意的 (高中英语单词)
- seeing [si:iŋ] see的现在分词 n.视觉 (高中英语单词)
- senate [´senit] n.参议院；上院 (高中英语单词)
- beetle [´bi:tl] n.甲虫 vi.忙碌地来回 (高中英语单词)
- chariot [´tʃæriət] n.古时双轮战车 (高中英语单词)
- nimble [´nimbəl] a.敏捷的；聪明的 (英语四级单词)
- beautifully [´bju:tifəli] ad.美丽地；优美地 (英语四级单词)
- blooming [´blu:miŋ] a.正开花的；妙龄的 (英语四级单词)
- ardent [´ɑ:dənt] a.热心的；热情洋溢的 (英语四级单词)
- hearken [´hɑ:kən] vi.听 (英语四级单词)
- hurricane [´hʌrikən] n.飓风 (英语四级单词)
- wretch [retʃ] n.不幸的人；卑鄙的人 (英语四级单词)
- tanner [´tænə] n.制革工人 (英语四级单词)
- grievance [´gri:vəns] n.不平；冤情；抱怨 (英语四级单词)
- devoted [di´vəutid] a.献身...的，忠实的 (英语四级单词)
- benevolent [bi´nevələnt] a.仁慈的；乐善好施的 (英语六级单词)
- faithless [´feiθləs] a.不忠的；虚假的 (英语六级单词)
- diplomacy [di´pləuməsi] n.外交；交际手腕 (英语六级单词)
- relentless [ri´lentləs] a.无情的；坚韧的 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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