Page:The Eleven Comedies (1912) Vol 1.djvu/189

Trygæus.

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.

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!^[2]

Trygæus.

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

Hermes.

Heave away, heave!

Trygæus.

Harder!

Hermes.

Heave away, heave!

Trygæus.

Come on then, by heaven.

Hermes.

Heave away, heave! Heave away, heave!

Chorus.

This will never do.

Trygæus.

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

1. These are the Spartan prisoners from Sphacteria, who were lying in gaol at Athens. They were chained fast to large beams of wood.
2. ’Twas want of force, not want of will. They had suffered more than any other people from the war. (See ‘The Acharnians.’)