As we do not, so far as I know, possess as yet a satisfactory poetical
translation of Aristophanes, and as the whole works of this author must,
for many reasons, ever remain untranslatable, I have been induced to lay
before my readers the scene in the _Acharnians_ where Euripides makes
his appearance; not that this play does not contain many other scenes of
equal, if not superior merit, but because it relates to the character of
this tragedian as an artist, and is both free from indecency, and,
moreover, easily understood.
The Acharnians, country-people of Attica, who have greatly suffered from
the enemy, are highly enraged at Dikaiopolis for concluding a peace with
the Lacedaemonians, and determine to stone him. He undertakes to speak in
defence of the Lacedaemonians, standing the while behind a block, as he is
to lose his head if he does not succeed in convincing them. In this
ticklish predicament, he calls on Euripides, to lend him the tattered
garments in which that poet's heroes were in the habit of exciting
commiseration. We must suppose the house of the tragic poet to occupy the
middle of the back scene.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
'Tis time I pluck up all my courage then,
And pay a visit to Euripides.
Boy, boy!
CEPHISOPHON.
Who's there?
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Is Euripides within?
CEPHISOPHON.
Within, and not within: Can'st fathom that?
DIKAIOPOLIS.
How within, yet not within?
CEPHISOPHON.
'Tis true, old fellow.
His mind is out collecting dainty verses, [1]
And not within. But he's himself aloft
Writing a tragedy.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Happy Euripides,
Whose servant here can give such witty answers.
Call him.
CEPHISOPHON.
It may not be.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
I say, you must though--
For hence I will not budge, but knock the door down.
Euripides, Euripides, my darling! [2]
Hear me, at least, if deaf to all besides.
'Tis Dikaiopolis of Chollis calls you.
EURIPIDES.
I have not time.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
At least roll round. [3]
EURIPIDES.
I can't. [4]
DIKAIOPOLIS.
You must.
EURIPIDES.
Well, I'll roll round. Come down I can't; I'm busy.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Euripides!
EURIPIDES.
What would'st thou with thy bawling.
DIKAIOPOLIS
What! you compose aloft and not below.
No wonder if your muse's bantlings halt.
Again, those rags and cloak right tragical,
The very garb for sketching beggars in!
But sweet Euripides, a boon, I pray thee.
Give me the moving rags of some old play;
I've a long speech to make before the Chorus,
And if I falter, why the forfeit's death.
EURIPIDES.
What rags will suit you? Those in which old Oeneus,
That hapless wight, went through his bitter conflict?
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Not Oeneus, no,--but one still sorrier.
EURIPIDES.
Those of blind Phoenix?
DIKAIOPOLIS.
No, not Phoenix either;
But another, more wretched still than Phoenix
EURIPIDES.
Whose sorry tatters can the fellow want?
'Tis Philoctetes' sure! You mean that beggar.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
No; but a person still more beggarly.
EURIPIDES.
I have it. You want the sorry garments
Bellerophon, the lame man, used to wear.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
No,--not Bellerophon. Though the man I mean
Was lame, importunate, and bold of speech.
EURIPIDES.
I know, 'Tis Telephus the Mysian.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Right.
Yes, Telephus: lend me his rags I pray you.
EURIPIDES.
Ho, boy! Give him the rags of Telephus.
There lie they; just upon Thyestes' rags,
And under those of Ino.
CEPHISOPHON.
Here! take them.
DIKAIOPOLIS (_putting them on_).
Now Jove! who lookest on, and see'st through all, [5]
Your blessing, while thus wretchedly I garb me.
Pr'ythee, Euripides, a further boon,
It goes, I think, together with these rags:
The little Mysian bonnet for my head;
"For sooth to-day I must put on the beggar,
And be still what I am, and yet not seem so." [6]
The audience here may know me who I am,
But like poor fools the chorus stand unwitting,
While I trick them with my flowers of rhetoric.
EURIPIDES.
A rare device, i'faith! Take it and welcome.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
"For thee. my blessing; for Telephus, my thoughts." [7]
'Tis well; already, words flow thick and fast.
Oh! I had near forgot--A beggar's staff, I pray.
EURIPIDES.
Here, take one, and thyself too from these doors.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
(_Aside_.) See'st thou, my soul,--he'd drive thee from his door
Still lacking many things. Become at once
A supple, oily beggar. (_Aloud_.) Good Euripides,
Lend me a basket, pray;--though the bottom's
Scorch'd, 'twill do.
EURIPIDES.
Poor wretch! A basket? What's thy need on't?
DIKAIOPOLIS.
No need beyond the simple wish to have it.
EURIPIDES.
You're getting troublesome. Come pack--be off.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
(_Aside_.) Faugh! Faugh!
(_Aloud_.) May heaven prosper thee as--thy good mother. [8]
EURIPIDES.
Be off, I say!
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Not till thou grant'st my prayer.
Only a little cup with broken rim.
EURIPIDES.
Take it and go; for know you're quite a plague.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
(_Aside_.) Knows he how great a pest he is himself?
(_Aloud_.) But, my Euripides! my sweet! one thing more:
Give me a cracked pipkin stopped with sponge.
EURIPIDES.
The man would rob me of a tragedy complete.
There--take it, and begone.
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Well! I am going.
Yet what to do? One thing I lack, whose want
Undoes me. Good, sweet Euripides!
Grant me but this, I'll ask no more, but go--
Some cabbage-leaves--a few just in my basket!
EURIPIDES.
You'll ruin me. See there! A whole play's gone!
DIKAIOPOLIS (_seemingly going off_).
Nothing more now. I'm really off. I am, I own,
A bore, wanting in tact to please the great.
Woe's me! Was ever such a wretch? Alas!
I have forgot the very chiefest thing of all.
Hear me, Euripides, my dear! my darling.
Choicest ills betide me! if e'er I ask
Aught more than this; but one--this one alone:
Throw me a pot-herb from thy mother's stock.
EURIPIDES.
The fellow would insult me--shut the door.
(_The Encyclema revolves, and Euripides and Cephisophon retire_.)
DIKAIOPOLIS.
Soul of me, thou must go without a pot-herb!
Wist thou what conflict thou must soon contend in
To proffer speech and full defence for Sparta?
Forward, my soul! the barriers are before thee.
What, dost loiter? hast not imbibed Euripides?
And yet I blame thee not. Courage, sad heart!
And forward, though it be to lay thy head
Upon the block. Rouse thee, and speak thy mind.
Forward there! forward again! bravely heart, bravely.