; for,
in revenge, your galleys went out to devour their figs.

TRYGAEUS And 'twas with justice too; did they not break down my black
fig tree, which I had planted and dunged with my own hands?

CHORUS Yes, by Zeus! yes, 'twas 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(1) 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
orators.(2) 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.(3) 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. 'Twas the tanner who was the author of all this woe.(4)

f(1) Driven in from the country parts by the Lacedaemonian
invaders.

f(2) The demagogues, who distributed the slender dole given
to the poor, and by that means exercised undue power over
them.

f(3) Meaning, the side of the Spartans.

f(4) Cleon.

TRYGAEUS Enough said, Hermes, leave that man in Hades, whither he has
gone; he no longer belongs to us, but rather to yourself.(1) 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. Oh! venerated Goddess! why art thou silent?

f(1) It was Hermes who conducted the souls of the dead down
to the lower regions.

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,