do to please you? Come, speak; for 'tis a good Fate that has
named you our leader.

f(1) A general of austere habits; he disposed of all his
property to pay the cost of a naval expedition, in which he
beat the fleet of the foe off the promontory of Rhium in 429
B.C.

f(2) The Lyceum was a portico ornamented with paintings and
surrounded with gardens, in which military exercises took
place.

TRYGAEUS How shall we set about removing these stones?

HERMES Rash reprobate, what do you propose doing?

TRYGAEUS Nothing bad, as Cillicon said.(1)

f(1) A citizen of Miletus, who betrayed his country to the
people of Pirene. When asked what he purposed, he replied,
"Nothing bad," which expression had therefore passed into a
proverb.

HERMES You are undone, you wretch.

TRYGAEUS Yes, if the lot had to decide my life, for Hermes would know
how to turn the chance.(1)

f(1) Hermes was the god of chance.

HERMES You are lost, you are dead.

TRYGAEUS On what day?

HERMES This instant.

TRYGAEUS But I have not provided myself with flour and cheese yet(1) to
start for death.

f(1) As the soldiers had to do when starting on an
expedition.

HERMES You ARE kneaded and ground already, I tell you.(1)

f(1) That is, you are predicated.

TRYGAEUS Hah! I have not yet tasted that gentle pleasure.

HERMES Don't you know that Zeus has decreed death for him who is
surprised exhuming Peace?

TRYGAEUS What! must I really and truly die?

HERMES You must.

TRYGAEUS Well then, lend me three drachmae to buy a young pig; I wish to
have myself initiated before I die.(1)

f(1) The initiated were thought to enjoy greater happiness
after death.

HERMES Oh! Zeus, the Thunderer!(1)

f(1) He summons Zeus to reveal Trygaeus' conspiracy.

TRYGAEUS I adjure you in the name of the gods, master, don't denounce
us!

HERMES I may not, I cannot keep silent.

TRYGAEUS In the name of the meats which I brought you so good-naturedly.

HERMES Why, wretched man, Zeus will annihilate me, if I do not shout out
at the top of my voice, to inform him what you are plotting.

TRYGAEUS Oh, no! don't shout, I beg you, dear little Hermes.... And what
are you doing, comrades? You stand there as though you were stocks and
stones. Wretched men, speak, entreat him at once; otherwise he will be
shouting.

CHORUS Oh! mighty Hermes! don't do it; no, don't do it!