Philosophical and Literary Miscellany

Chremylus But even his very look is not settled in its place.
It is clear that there is something roguish about him.
Chremylus I know what you are croaking about: you think I’ve stolen something
and you are seeking to get a share. See: you seek to share in something.
Chremylus But the matter is not like that; it is quite otherwise.
Blepsidemus You haven’t stolen it, but snatched it by force? Chremylus You are possessed by a demon!
Blepsidemus But surely you haven't defrauded someone? Chremylus Certainly not I.
Blepsidemus O Heracles! A common exclamation of surprise or distress, similar to "Good heavens!" Come now, where can a man
turn? For you do not wish to tell the truth.
Chremylus You are accusing me before you even learn my business.
Blepsidemus O good sir, you can settle this for a very small sum;
I am willing to manage the matter before the city finds out,
by stuffing the mouths of the orators Public speakers and politicians in Athens were often stereotyped as being easily bribed to keep silent about legal scandals. with small coins.
Chremylus By the gods, you seem to be a "friend" indeed—
the kind who would spend three drachmas and charge me for twelve!
Blepsidemus I see someone who will soon be sitting at the speaker's platform The "Bema," the raised platform where citizens addressed the assembly or sought asylum.
holding a suppliant’s branch An olive branch wrapped in wool, carried by those seeking protection or mercy. along with his children
and his wife. They will look no different
than the children of Heracles A reference to a famous play by Euripides where Heracles' children seek asylum as refugees. or the followers of Pamphilus.
Chremylus No, you wretch! It is only the good,
the pious
and the self-controlled men
whom I shall now make rich. Look: What are you? You say...
Blepsidemus What? Have you stolen that much? Chremylus You’ll be the death of me!
You will perish miserably. Blepsidemus You will be the one to perish, or so it seems to me.
Chremylus Not at all, since I have Wealth, you miserable man!
Blepsidemus You have Wealth? From where? Chremylus From the god himself.
Blepsidemus And where is he? Chremylus Inside. Blepsidemus Where? Chremylus With me. Very much so. Chremylus

Blepsidemus Go to the crows! A Greek idiom meaning "Go to hell" or "Get out of here!" Wealth is staying with you? Chremylus By the gods, yes.

Blepsidemus Are you telling the truth? Chremylus I am. Blepsidemus By Hestia? Goddess of the hearth; an oath by Hestia was considered particularly solemn and domestic.
Chremylus By Poseidon. Blepsidemus You mean the one of the sea?
Chremylus If there is another Poseidon, then by that other one too!
Blepsidemus Then won't you send some over to us, your friends?
Chremylus Matters are not yet at that point. Blepsidemus What do you mean?
Not at the point of sharing? Chremylus By Zeus, no; for first we must—
Chremylus Make him see. Blepsidemus Make whom see? Tell me!
Chremylus Wealth, just as he did before, by any means possible.
Blepsidemus Is he really blind? Chremylus By heaven, he is.
Blepsidemus No wonder then that he never once came to my house!
Chremylus But if the gods are willing, he will arrive there now.
Blepsidemus Shouldn't we have brought in a doctor then?
Chremylus What doctor is there in the city now?
For neither the pay nor the medical skill exists anymore.
Blepsidemus Let's consider... Chremylus But there isn't one. Blepsidemus I don't think so either.
Chremylus By Zeus, no! But what I was preparing long ago—
to have him lie down in the temple of Asclepius Asclepius was the god of medicine. Patients would sleep in his temple (a practice called 'incubation') hoping for a miraculous cure or a divine dream revealing a remedy.—
is the best way. Blepsidemus By the gods, it is much the best!
Do not delay now; hurry and do something.
Chremylus Indeed, I am going with some haste. Chremylus That is exactly what I am doing. S.
Poverty PEN Oh, what a hot-headed, unholy, and lawless deed
you two miserable little men are daring to do!
Where, where are you going? Why are you fleeing? Won't you stay? Chremylus O Heracles!
Poverty For I shall destroy you evilly, you evil men!
For you are daring a deed that is unbearable—
such as no one else has ever dared,
neither god nor man. Therefore, you are both lost!
Chremylus And who are you? For you seem to me to be quite pale. Penia, or Poverty, is personified as a gaunt, terrifying, and sickly-looking woman, reflecting the physical toll of destitution.