et facilem esse oratam a vobis volo,
nam iusta ab iustis iustus sum orator datus.

Yes, and the same is true of me, the son of Jupiter: once my
father has some trouble I am afraid I shall catch it, too.
(_rather pompously again_) Wherefore I come in peace and
peace do I bring to you. It is a just and trifling request I
wish you to grant: for I am sent as a just pleader pleading
with the just for what is just.

nam iniusta ab iustis impetrari non decet,
iusta autem ab iniustis petere insipientia est;
quippe illi iniqui ius ignorant neque tenent.
nunc iam huc animum omnes quae loquar advortite.
debetis velle quae velimus: meruimus
et ego et pater de vobis et re publica; 40

It would be unfitting, of course, for unjust favours to be
obtained from the just, while looking for just treatment
from the unjust is folly; for unfair folk of that sort
neither know nor keep justice. Now then, pay attention all
of you to what I am about to say. Our wishes should be
yours: we deserve it of you, my father and I, of you and
of your state.

nam quid ego memorem,--ut alios in tragoediis
vidi, Neptunum Virtutem Victoriam
Martem Bellonam, commemorare quae bona
vobis fecissent,--quis bene factis meus pater,
deorum regnator[6] architectust[7] omnibus?

Ah well, why should I--after the fashion of other gods,
Neptune, Virtue, Victory, Mars, Bellona, whom I have seen
in the tragedies recounting their goodness to you--
rehearse the benefits that my father, ruler of the gods,
hath builded up for all men?

sed mos numquam illi fuit patri meo,[8]
ut exprobraret quod bonis faceret boni;
gratum arbitratur esse id a vobis sibi
meritoque vobis bona se facere quae facit.

It never was a habit of that sire of mine to twit good
people with the good he did them; he considers you
grateful to him for it and worthy of the good things he
does for you.

Nunc quam rem oratum huc veni primum proloquar, 50
post argumentum huius eloquar tragoediae.
quid? contraxistis frontem, quia tragoediam
dixi futuram hanc? deus sum, commutavero.

Now first as to the favour I have come to ask, and then you
shall hear the argument of our tragedy. What? Frowning
because I said this was to be a tragedy? I am a god: I'll
transfor