e instant! you Boeotians are only pretending. Beware!

HERMES Come, heave away, heave!

CHORUS Hi! you two pull as well.

TRYGAEUS Why, I am pulling, I am hanging on to the rope and straining
till I am almost off my feet; I am working with all my might.

CHORUS Why does not the work advance then?

TRYGAEUS Lamachus, this is too bad! You are in the way, sitting there.
We have no use for your Medusa's head, friend.(1)

f(1) The device on his shield was a Gorgon's head. (See
'The Acharnians.')

HERMES But hold, the Argives have not pulled the least bit; they have
done nothing but laugh at us for our pains while they were getting gain
with both hands.(1)

f(1) Both Sparta and Athens had sought the alliance of the
Argives; they had kept themselves strictly neutral and had
received pay from both sides. But, the year after the
production of 'The Wasps,' they openly joined Athens, had
attacked Epidaurus and got cut to pieces by the Spartans.

TRYGAEUS Ah! my dear sir, the Laconians at all events pull with vigour.

CHORUS But look! only those among them who generally hold the
plough-tail show any zeal,(1) while the armourers impede them in their
efforts.

f(1) These are the Spartan prisoners from Sphacteria, who
were lying in goal at Athens. They were chained fast to
large beams of wood.

HERMES And the Megarians too are doing nothing, yet look how they are
pulling and showing their teeth like famished curs; The poor wretches
are dying of hunger!(1)

f(1) 'Twas want of force, not want of will. They had
suffered more than any other people from the war. (See 'The
Acharnians.')

TRYGAEUS This won't do, friends. Come! all together! Everyone to the
work and with a good heart for the business.

HERMES Heave away, heave!

TRYGAEUS Harder!

HERMES Heave away, heave!

TRYGAEUS Come on then, by heaven.

HERMES Heave away, heave! Heave away, heave!

CHORUS This will never do.

TRYGAEUS Is it not a shame? some pull one way and others another. You,
Argives there, beware of a thrashing!

HERMES Come, put your strength into it.

TRYGAEUS Heave away, heave!

CHORUS There are many ill-disposed folk among us.

TRYGAEUS Do you at least, who long for peace, pull heartily.

CHORUS But there are some who prevent us.

HERMES Off to the Devil with you, Megarians! The goddess hates you. She
recollects that you were the first to rub her the wrong way