Hermes.
Come, put your strength into it.
Trygæus.
Heave away, heave!
Chorus.
There are many ill-disposed folk among us.
Trygæus.
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. Athenians, you are not well placed for pulling. There you are too busy with law-suits; if you really want to free the goddess, get down a little towards the sea.[1]
Chorus.
Come, friends, none but husbandmen on the rope.
Hermes.
Ah! that will do ever so much better.
Chorus.
He says the thing is going well. Come, all of you, together and with a will.
Trygæus.
’Tis the husbandmen who are doing all the work.
Chorus.
Come then, come, and all together! Hah! hah! at last there is some unanimity in the work. Don’t let us give up, let us redouble our efforts. There! now we have
- ↑ Meaning, look chiefly to your fleet. This was the counsel that Themistocles frequently gave the Athenians.
