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Line 192

οὗτοι δʼ ἐρεβοδιφῶσιν ὑπὸ τὸν Τάρταρον.

The compound verb ἐρεβοδιφῶσιν is a rare hapax legomenon (or near-hapax in the surviving corpus) formed from ἔρεβος ('darkness') and δίφω ('I scratch'). The term functions as a vivid, onomatopoeic coinage by Aristophanes to describe the frantic scratching or digging sound of the cloud-chariot's wheels or the charioteers' frantic movements in the underworld, rather than a standard term for 'digging'. Its morphology and semantic construction exemplify the comic poet's tendency to create new compounds to match the specific auditory or visual grotesquerie of the scene.

Clouds. Aristophanes. . 2026-09-08.

Current edition Experimental

Commentary (Sanjaya, generated; selected passages) (OCR draft) (English) (Source: pnadelofficial/aristophanes-sanjaya, commit c319590c139e5603e71f0699caa0663d823af8ad. Machine-generated source annotations retained; see Sanjaya import audit for coverage and limitations.)

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Νεφέλαι Perseus (Aristophanes. Aristophanis Comoediae, Vol. 1. Hall, F. W. and Geldart, William M., editors. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1906.) — 261b-355 focus

Στρεψιάδης

μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐ ψεύσει γέ με·

καταπαττόμενος γὰρ παιπάλη γενήσομαι.

Σωκράτης

εὐφημεῖν χρὴ τὸν πρεσβύτην καὶ τῆς εὐχῆς ἐπακούειν.

ὦ δέσποτʼ ἄναξ ἀμέτρητʼ Ἀήρ, ὃς ἔχεις τὴν γῆν μετέωρον,

λαμπρός τʼ Αἰθὴρ σεμναί τε θεαὶ Νεφέλαι βροντησικέραυνοι,
265

ἄρθητε φάνητʼ ὦ δέσποιναι τῷ φροντιστῇ μετέωροι.

Στρεψιάδης

μήπω μήπω γε πρὶν ἂν τουτὶ πτύξωμαι, μὴ καταβρεχθῶ.

τὸ δὲ μηδὲ κυνῆν οἴκοθεν ἐλθεῖν ἐμὲ τὸν κακοδαίμονʼ ἔχοντα.

Σωκράτης

ἔλθετε δῆτʼ ὦ πολυτίμητοι Νεφέλαι τῷδʼ εἰς ἐπίδειξιν·

εἴτʼ ἐπʼ Ὀλύμπου κορυφαῖς ἱεραῖς χιονοβλήτοισι κάθησθε,
270

εἴτʼ Ὠκεανοῦ πατρὸς ἐν κήποις ἱερὸν χορὸν ἵστατε Νύμφαις,

εἴτʼ ἄρα Νείλου προχοαῖς ὑδάτων χρυσέαις ἀρύτεσθε πρόχοισιν,

ἢ Μαιῶτιν λίμνην ἔχετʼ ἢ σκόπελον νιφόεντα Μίμαντος·

ὑπακούσατε δεξάμεναι θυσίαν καὶ τοῖς ἱεροῖσι χαρεῖσαι.

275

Χορός

ἀέναοι Νεφέλαι
275

ἀρθῶμεν φανεραὶ δροσερὰν φύσιν εὐάγητον,

πατρὸς ἀπʼ Ὠκεανοῦ βαρυαχέος

ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων κορυφὰς ἐπὶ

δενδροκόμους, ἵνα
280

τηλεφανεῖς σκοπιὰς ἀφορώμεθα,

καρπούς τʼ ἀρδομέναν ἱερὰν χθόνα,

καὶ ποταμῶν ζαθέων κελαδήματα,

καὶ πόντον κελάδοντα βαρύβρομον·

ὄμμα γὰρ αἰθέρος ἀκάματον σελαγεῖται
285

μαρμαρέαις ἐν αὐγαῖς.

ἀλλʼ ἀποσεισάμεναι νέφος ὄμβριον

ἀθανάτας ἰδέας ἐπιδώμεθα

τηλεσκόπῳ ὄμματι γαῖαν.
290

291

Σωκράτης

ὦ μέγα σεμναὶ Νεφέλαι φανερῶς ἠκούσατέ μου καλέσαντος.

ᾔσθου φωνῆς ἅμα καὶ βροντῆς μυκησαμένης θεοσέπτου;

Στρεψιάδης

καὶ σέβομαί γʼ ὦ πολυτίμητοι καὶ βούλομαι ἀνταποπαρδεῖν

πρὸς τὰς βροντάς· οὕτως αὐτὰς τετρεμαίνω καὶ πεφόβημαι·

κεἰ θέμις ἐστίν, νυνί γʼ ἤδη, κεἰ μὴ θέμις ἐστί, χεσείω.
295

Σωκράτης

οὐ μὴ σκώψει μηδὲ ποιήσεις ἅπερ οἱ τρυγοδαίμονες οὗτοι,

ἀλλʼ εὐφήμει· μέγα γάρ τι θεῶν κινεῖται σμῆνος ἀοιδαῖς.

298

Χορός

παρθένοι ὀμβροφόροι

ἔλθωμεν λιπαρὰν χθόνα Παλλάδος, εὔανδρον γᾶν
300

Κέκροπος ὀψόμεναι πολυήρατον·

οὗ σέβας ἀρρήτων ἱερῶν, ἵνα

μυστοδόκος δόμος

ἐν τελεταῖς ἁγίαις ἀναδείκνυται,

οὐρανίοις τε θεοῖς δωρήματα,
305

ναοί θʼ ὑψερεφεῖς καὶ ἀγάλματα,

καὶ πρόσοδοι μακάρων ἱερώταται,

εὐστέφανοί τε θεῶν θυσίαι θαλίαι τε,

παντοδαπαῖς ἐν ὥραις,
310

ἦρί τʼ ἐπερχομένῳ Βρομία χάρις,

εὐκελάδων τε χορῶν ἐρεθίσματα,

καὶ μοῦσα βαρύβρομος αὐλῶν.

314

Στρεψιάδης

πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς ἀντιβολῶ σε φράσον, τίνες εἴσʼ ὦ Σώκρατες αὗται

αἱ φθεγξάμεναι τοῦτο τὸ σεμνόν; μῶν ἡρῷναί τινές εἰσιν;
315

Σωκράτης

ἥκιστʼ ἀλλʼ οὐράνιαι Νεφέλαι μεγάλαι θεαὶ ἀνδράσιν ἀργοῖς·

αἵπερ γνώμην καὶ διάλεξιν καὶ νοῦν ἡμῖν παρέχουσιν

καὶ τερατείαν καὶ περίλεξιν καὶ κροῦσιν καὶ κατάληψιν.

Στρεψιάδης

ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἀκούσασʼ αὐτῶν τὸ φθέγμʼ ἡ ψυχή μου πεπότηται,

καὶ λεπτολογεῖν ἤδη ζητεῖ καὶ περὶ καπνοῦ στενολεσχεῖν,
320

καὶ γνωμιδίῳ γνώμην νύξασʼ ἑτέρῳ λόγῳ ἀντιλογῆσαι·

ὥστʼ εἴ πως ἔστιν ἰδεῖν αὐτὰς ἤδη φανερῶς ἐπιθυμῶ.

Σωκράτης

βλέπε νυν δευρὶ πρὸς τὴν Πάρνηθʼ· ἤδη γὰρ ὁρῶ κατιούσας

ἡσυχῇ αὐτάς.

Στρεψιάδης

φέρε ποῦ; δεῖξον.

Σωκράτης

χωροῦσʼ αὗται πάνυ πολλαὶ

διὰ τῶν κοίλων καὶ τῶν δασέων, αὗται πλάγιαι.
325

Στρεψιάδης

τί τὸ χρῆμα;

ὡς οὐ καθορῶ.

Σωκράτης

παρὰ τὴν εἴσοδον.

Στρεψιάδης

ἤδη νυνὶ μόλις οὕτως.

Σωκράτης

νῦν γέ τοι ἤδη καθορᾷς αὐτάς, εἰ μὴ λημᾷς κολοκύνταις.

Στρεψιάδης

νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ, ὦ πολυτίμητοι· πάντα γὰρ ἤδη κατέχουσιν.

Σωκράτης

ταύτας μέντοι σὺ θεὰς οὔσας οὐκ ᾔδησθʼ οὐδʼ ἐνόμιζες;

Στρεψιάδης

μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ὁμίχλην καὶ δρόσον αὐτὰς ἡγούμην καὶ καπνὸν εἶναι.
330

Σωκράτης

οὐ γὰρ μὰ Δίʼ οἶσθʼ ὁτιὴ πλείστους αὗται βόσκουσι σοφιστάς,

Θουριομάντεις ἰατροτέχνας σφραγιδονυχαργοκομήτας,

κυκλίων τε χορῶν ᾀσματοκάμπτας ἄνδρας μετεωροφένακας,

οὐδὲν δρῶντας βόσκουσʼ ἀργούς, ὅτι ταύτας μουσοποιοῦσιν.

Στρεψιάδης

ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἐποίουν ὑγρᾶν Νεφελᾶν στρεπταιγλᾶν δάιον ὁρμάν,
335

πλοκάμους θʼ ἑκατογκεφάλα Τυφῶ πρημαινούσας τε θυέλλας,

εἶτʼ ἀερίας διεράς, γαμψοὺς οἰωνοὺς ἀερονηχεῖς,

ὄμβρους θʼ ὑδάτων δροσερᾶν Νεφελᾶν· εἶτʼ ἀντʼ αὐτῶν κατέπινον

κεστρᾶν τεμάχη μεγαλᾶν ἀγαθᾶν κρέα τʼ ὀρνίθεια κιχηλᾶν.

Σωκράτης

διὰ μέντοι τάσδʼ οὐχὶ δικαίως;
340

Στρεψιάδης

λέξον δή μοι, τί παθοῦσαι,

εἴπερ νεφέλαι γʼ εἰσὶν ἀληθῶς, θνηταῖς εἴξασι γυναιξίν;

οὐ γὰρ ἐκεῖναί γʼ εἰσὶ τοιαῦται.

Σωκράτης

φέρε ποῖαι γάρ τινές εἰσιν;

Στρεψιάδης

οὐκ οἶδα σαφῶς· εἴξασιν γοῦν ἐρίοισιν πεπταμένοισιν,

κοὐχὶ γυναιξὶν μὰ Δίʼ οὐδʼ ὁτιοῦν· αὗται δὲ ῥῖνας ἔχουσιν.

Σωκράτης

ἀπόκριναί νυν ἅττʼ ἂν ἔρωμαι.
345

Στρεψιάδης

λέγε νυν ταχέως ὅ τι βούλει.

Σωκράτης

ἤδη ποτʼ ἀναβλέψας εἶδες νεφέλην κενταύρῳ ὁμοίαν,

ἢ παρδάλει ἢ λύκῳ ἢ ταύρῳ;

Στρεψιάδης

νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ. εἶτα τί τοῦτο;

Σωκράτης

γίγνονται πάνθʼ ὅ τι βούλονται· κᾆτʼ ἢν μὲν ἴδωσι κομήτην

ἄγριόν τινα τῶν λασίων τούτων, οἷόνπερ τὸν Ξενοφάντου,

σκώπτουσαι τὴν μανίαν αὐτοῦ κενταύροις ᾔκασαν αὑτάς.
350

Στρεψιάδης

τί γὰρ ἢν ἅρπαγα τῶν δημοσίων κατίδωσι Σίμωνα, τί δρῶσιν;

Σωκράτης

ἀποφαίνουσαι τὴν φύσιν αὐτοῦ λύκοι ἐξαίφνης ἐγένοντο.

Στρεψιάδης

ταῦτʼ ἄρα ταῦτα Κλεώνυμον αὗται τὸν ῥίψασπιν χθὲς ἰδοῦσαι,

ὅτι δειλότατον τοῦτον ἑώρων, ἔλαφοι διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο.

Σωκράτης

καὶ νῦν γʼ ὅτι Κλεισθένη εἶδον, ὁρᾷς, διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο γυναῖκες.
355

Translations (2)

Clouds Perseus (Aristophanes. The Comedies of Aristophanes, Vol. I. Hickie, William James, translator. Bohn: London, 1853.) — 180 focus

Strepsiades.

Why then do we admire Thales? Open open quickly the thinking-shop, and show to me Socrates as quickly as possible. For I desire to be a disciple. Come, open the door. The door of the thinking-shop opens and the pupils of Socrates are seen all with their heads fixed on the ground, while Socrates himself is seen suspended in the air in a basket. O Hercules, from what country are these wild beasts?
180

Disciple.

What do you wonder at? To what do they seem to you to be like?
185

Strepsiades.

To the Spartans who were taken at Pylos . But why in the world do these look upon the ground?

Disciple.

They are in search of the things below the earth.

Strepsiades.

Then they are searching for roots. Do not, then, trouble yourselves about this;

for I know where there are large and fine ones. Why, what are these doing, who are bent down so much?
190

Disciple.

These are groping about in darkness under Tartarus.

Strepsiades.

Why then does their rump look toward heaven?

Disciple.

It is getting taught astronomy alone by itself. Turning to the pupils. But go in, lest he meet with us.

Strepsiades.

Not yet, not yet; but let them remain, that I may communicate to them a little matter of my own.

Disciple.

It is not permitted to them to remain without in the open air for a very long time.

The pupils retire.

Strepsiades.

(discovering a variety of mathematical instruments). Why, what is this, in the name of heaven? Tell me.
200

Disciple.

This is Astronomy.

Strepsiades.

But what is this?

Disciple.

Geometry.

Strepsiades.

What then is the use of this?

Disciple.

To measure out the land.

Strepsiades.

What belongs to an allotment?

Disciple.

No, but the whole earth.

Strepsiades.

You tell me a clever notion; for the contrivance is democratic and useful.

Disciple.
(pointing to a map).

See, here’s a map of the whole earth. Do you see? This is Athens .

Strepsiades.

What say you? I don’t believe you; for I do not see the Dicasts sitting.

Disciple.

Be assured that this is truly the Attic territory.

Strepsiades.

Why, where are my fellow-tribesmen of Cicynna?
210

Disciple.

Here they are. And Euboea here, as you see, is stretched out a long way by the side of it to a great distance.

Strepsiades.

I know that; for it was stretched by us and Pericles. But where is Lacedaemon ?

Disciple.

Where is it? Here it is.

Strepsiades.

How near it is to us! Pay great attention to this, to remove it very far from us.
215

Disciple.

By Jupiter, it is not possible.

Strepsiades.

Then you will weep for it. Looking up and discovering Socrates. Come, who is this man who is in the basket?

Disciple.

Himself.

Strepsiades.

Who’s Himself?

Disciple.

Socrates.

Strepsiades.

O Socrates! Come, you sir, call upon him loudly for me.

Disciple.

Nay, rather, call him yourself; for I have no leisure.

Exit Disciple.

English (Sanjaya, generated; selected passages) (OCR draft) Experimental (Source: pnadelofficial/aristophanes-sanjaya, commit c319590c139e5603e71f0699caa0663d823af8ad. Machine-generated source annotations retained; see Sanjaya import audit for coverage and limitations.) — 180 focus

Strepsiades: Why then do we admire that man, Thales?

180

Strepsiades: Open, open, having raised the thinking-house,

Strepsiades: And show me Socrates as quickly as possible.

Strepsiades: For I am studying; but open the door.

Strepsiades: O Heracles, where do these beasts come from?

Student: What did you marvel at? Do they seem to resemble you?

185

Strepsiades: to the Laconians captured from Pylos.

Strepsiades: But why do these men look down at the ground?

Student: These men are seeking the things on the earth.

Strepsiades: So bulbs,

Strepsiades: They are seeking. Do not worry about this now;

Strepsiades: For I know where they are great and beautiful.

190

Strepsiades: For what are these doing, who are so bent forward?

Student: But these are plowing the darkness under Tartarus.

Strepsiades: Why in the world does the anus look up at the sky?

Student: He learns to observe the stars by himself.

Student: But go in, so that he does not catch you there.

195

Strepsiades: Not yet, not yet; but let them wait, so that

Strepsiades: I will tell them something of my business.

Student: But it is not possible for them with the air

Student: To stay outside for too long a time.

Strepsiades: By the gods, what are these things? Tell me.

200

Student: astronomy is this.

Strepsiades: But what is this?

Student: geometry.

Strepsiades: So what is the use of this?

Student: To measure the earth.

Strepsiades: Which one? The one for the cleruchies?

Student: Not so, but the whole of it.

Strepsiades: You are saying something witty.

Strepsiades: For the trick is popular and useful.

205

Student: This is the circumference of the whole earth. Do you see?

Student: These are Athens.

Strepsiades: What are you saying? I am not persuaded,

Strepsiades: since I do not see the jurors sitting.

Student: How truly Attic this place is.

Strepsiades: And where are my fellow-citizens of Cicyunna?

210

Student: They are right here. But Euboea, as you see,

Student: It is now stretched out very far.

Strepsiades: I know it; for it was drawn up in battle array by us, and by Pericles.

Strepsiades: But where is Sparta?

Student: Where is it? Here.

Strepsiades: How near we are. Take very good care of this,

215

Strepsiades: lead her away from us very far.

Student: But it is not possible.

Strepsiades: By Zeus, so I must groan.

Strepsiades: Come, who is this man hanging from the rack?

Student: He.

Strepsiades: Who is he?

Student: Socrates.

Strepsiades: O Socrates.

Strepsiades: Come on, this one, shout to him loudly for me.

220

Student: So you call him yourself, for I have no time.

Commentary

Commentary (Sanjaya, generated; selected passages) (OCR draft) (Source: pnadelofficial/aristophanes-sanjaya, commit c319590c139e5603e71f0699caa0663d823af8ad. Machine-generated source annotations retained; see Sanjaya import audit for coverage and limitations.) focus

192. mvp-tlg0019-tlg003-sanjaya-com-eng1-15

Line 192

οὗτοι δʼ ἐρεβοδιφῶσιν ὑπὸ τὸν Τάρταρον.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Line 192

Current edition Experimental

Στρεψιάδης μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐ ψεύσει γέ με· καταπαττόμενος γὰρ παιπάλη γενήσομαι.

Στρεψιάδης μήπω μήπω γε πρὶν ἂν τουτὶ πτύξωμαι, μὴ καταβρεχθῶ. τὸ δὲ μηδὲ κυνῆν οἴκοθεν ἐλθεῖν ἐμὲ τὸν κακοδαίμονʼ ἔχοντα.

Σωκράτης ὦ μέγα σεμναὶ Νεφέλαι φανερῶς ἠκούσατέ μου καλέσαντος. ᾔσθου φωνῆς ἅμα καὶ βροντῆς μυκησαμένης θεοσέπτου;

Σωκράτης οὐ μὴ σκώψει μηδὲ ποιήσεις ἅπερ οἱ τρυγοδαίμονες οὗτοι, ἀλλʼ εὐφήμει· μέγα γάρ τι θεῶν κινεῖται σμῆνος ἀοιδαῖς.

Στρεψιάδης πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς ἀντιβολῶ σε φράσον, τίνες εἴσʼ ὦ Σώκρατες αὗται αἱ φθεγξάμεναι τοῦτο τὸ σεμνόν; μῶν ἡρῷναί τινές εἰσιν; 315

Σωκράτης βλέπε νυν δευρὶ πρὸς τὴν Πάρνηθʼ· ἤδη γὰρ ὁρῶ κατιούσας ἡσυχῇ αὐτάς.

Στρεψιάδης φέρε ποῦ; δεῖξον.

Σωκράτης χωροῦσʼ αὗται πάνυ πολλαὶ διὰ τῶν κοίλων καὶ τῶν δασέων, αὗται πλάγιαι. 325

Στρεψιάδης τί τὸ χρῆμα; ὡς οὐ καθορῶ.

Σωκράτης παρὰ τὴν εἴσοδον.

Στρεψιάδης ἤδη νυνὶ μόλις οὕτως.

Σωκράτης νῦν γέ τοι ἤδη καθορᾷς αὐτάς, εἰ μὴ λημᾷς κολοκύνταις.

Στρεψιάδης νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ, ὦ πολυτίμητοι· πάντα γὰρ ἤδη κατέχουσιν.

Σωκράτης ταύτας μέντοι σὺ θεὰς οὔσας οὐκ ᾔδησθʼ οὐδʼ ἐνόμιζες;

Στρεψιάδης μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ὁμίχλην καὶ δρόσον αὐτὰς ἡγούμην καὶ καπνὸν εἶναι. 330

Σωκράτης διὰ μέντοι τάσδʼ οὐχὶ δικαίως; 340

Στρεψιάδης λέξον δή μοι, τί παθοῦσαι, εἴπερ νεφέλαι γʼ εἰσὶν ἀληθῶς, θνηταῖς εἴξασι γυναιξίν; οὐ γὰρ ἐκεῖναί γʼ εἰσὶ τοιαῦται.

Σωκράτης φέρε ποῖαι γάρ τινές εἰσιν;

Στρεψιάδης οὐκ οἶδα σαφῶς· εἴξασιν γοῦν ἐρίοισιν πεπταμένοισιν, κοὐχὶ γυναιξὶν μὰ Δίʼ οὐδʼ ὁτιοῦν· αὗται δὲ ῥῖνας ἔχουσιν.

Σωκράτης ἀπόκριναί νυν ἅττʼ ἂν ἔρωμαι. 345

Στρεψιάδης λέγε νυν ταχέως ὅ τι βούλει.

Σωκράτης ἤδη ποτʼ ἀναβλέψας εἶδες νεφέλην κενταύρῳ ὁμοίαν, ἢ παρδάλει ἢ λύκῳ ἢ ταύρῳ;

Στρεψιάδης νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ. εἶτα τί τοῦτο;

Στρεψιάδης τί γὰρ ἢν ἅρπαγα τῶν δημοσίων κατίδωσι Σίμωνα, τί δρῶσιν;

Σωκράτης ἀποφαίνουσαι τὴν φύσιν αὐτοῦ λύκοι ἐξαίφνης ἐγένοντο.

Στρεψιάδης ταῦτʼ ἄρα ταῦτα Κλεώνυμον αὗται τὸν ῥίψασπιν χθὲς ἰδοῦσαι, ὅτι δειλότατον τοῦτον ἑώρων, ἔλαφοι διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο.

Σωκράτης καὶ νῦν γʼ ὅτι Κλεισθένη εἶδον, ὁρᾷς, διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο γυναῖκες. 355

Disciple. What do you wonder at? To what do they seem to you to be like? 185

Strepsiades. To the Spartans who were taken at Pylos . But why in the world do these look upon the ground?

Disciple. They are in search of the things below the earth.

Strepsiades. Then they are searching for roots. Do not, then, trouble yourselves about this; for I know where there are large and fine ones. Why, what are these doing, who are bent down so much? 190

Disciple. These are groping about in darkness under Tartarus.

Strepsiades. Why then does their rump look toward heaven?

Disciple. It is getting taught astronomy alone by itself. Turning to the pupils. But go in, lest he meet with us.

Strepsiades. Not yet, not yet; but let them remain, that I may communicate to them a little matter of my own.

Disciple. It is not permitted to them to remain without in the open air for a very long time.

Strepsiades. (discovering a variety of mathematical instruments). Why, what is this, in the name of heaven? Tell me. 200

Disciple. This is Astronomy.

Strepsiades. But what is this?

Disciple. Geometry.

Strepsiades. What then is the use of this?

Disciple. To measure out the land.

Strepsiades. What belongs to an allotment?

Disciple. No, but the whole earth.

Strepsiades. You tell me a clever notion; for the contrivance is democratic and useful.

Disciple. (pointing to a map). See, here’s a map of the whole earth. Do you see? This is Athens .

Strepsiades. What say you? I don’t believe you; for I do not see the Dicasts sitting.

Disciple. Be assured that this is truly the Attic territory.

Strepsiades. Why, where are my fellow-tribesmen of Cicynna? 210

Disciple. Here they are. And Euboea here, as you see, is stretched out a long way by the side of it to a great distance.

Strepsiades. I know that; for it was stretched by us and Pericles. But where is Lacedaemon ?

Disciple. Where is it? Here it is.

Strepsiades. How near it is to us! Pay great attention to this, to remove it very far from us. 215

Disciple. By Jupiter, it is not possible.

Strepsiades. Then you will weep for it. Looking up and discovering Socrates. Come, who is this man who is in the basket?

Disciple. Himself.

Strepsiades. Who’s Himself?

Disciple. Socrates.

Strepsiades. O Socrates! Come, you sir, call upon him loudly for me.

Disciple. Nay, rather, call him yourself; for I have no leisure.

Commentary

Line 192

Stable identifiers

Στρεψιάδης

μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐ ψεύσει γέ με·

καταπαττόμενος γὰρ παιπάλη γενήσομαι.

Στρεψιάδης

μήπω μήπω γε πρὶν ἂν τουτὶ πτύξωμαι, μὴ καταβρεχθῶ.

τὸ δὲ μηδὲ κυνῆν οἴκοθεν ἐλθεῖν ἐμὲ τὸν κακοδαίμονʼ ἔχοντα.

Σωκράτης

ὦ μέγα σεμναὶ Νεφέλαι φανερῶς ἠκούσατέ μου καλέσαντος.

ᾔσθου φωνῆς ἅμα καὶ βροντῆς μυκησαμένης θεοσέπτου;

Σωκράτης

οὐ μὴ σκώψει μηδὲ ποιήσεις ἅπερ οἱ τρυγοδαίμονες οὗτοι,

ἀλλʼ εὐφήμει· μέγα γάρ τι θεῶν κινεῖται σμῆνος ἀοιδαῖς.

Στρεψιάδης

πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς ἀντιβολῶ σε φράσον, τίνες εἴσʼ ὦ Σώκρατες αὗται

αἱ φθεγξάμεναι τοῦτο τὸ σεμνόν; μῶν ἡρῷναί τινές εἰσιν;
315

Σωκράτης

βλέπε νυν δευρὶ πρὸς τὴν Πάρνηθʼ· ἤδη γὰρ ὁρῶ κατιούσας

ἡσυχῇ αὐτάς.

Στρεψιάδης

φέρε ποῦ; δεῖξον.

Σωκράτης

χωροῦσʼ αὗται πάνυ πολλαὶ

διὰ τῶν κοίλων καὶ τῶν δασέων, αὗται πλάγιαι.
325

Στρεψιάδης

τί τὸ χρῆμα;

ὡς οὐ καθορῶ.

Σωκράτης

παρὰ τὴν εἴσοδον.

Στρεψιάδης

ἤδη νυνὶ μόλις οὕτως.

Σωκράτης

νῦν γέ τοι ἤδη καθορᾷς αὐτάς, εἰ μὴ λημᾷς κολοκύνταις.

Στρεψιάδης

νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ, ὦ πολυτίμητοι· πάντα γὰρ ἤδη κατέχουσιν.

Σωκράτης

ταύτας μέντοι σὺ θεὰς οὔσας οὐκ ᾔδησθʼ οὐδʼ ἐνόμιζες;

Στρεψιάδης

μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ὁμίχλην καὶ δρόσον αὐτὰς ἡγούμην καὶ καπνὸν εἶναι.
330

Σωκράτης

διὰ μέντοι τάσδʼ οὐχὶ δικαίως;
340

Στρεψιάδης

λέξον δή μοι, τί παθοῦσαι,

εἴπερ νεφέλαι γʼ εἰσὶν ἀληθῶς, θνηταῖς εἴξασι γυναιξίν;

οὐ γὰρ ἐκεῖναί γʼ εἰσὶ τοιαῦται.

Σωκράτης

φέρε ποῖαι γάρ τινές εἰσιν;

Στρεψιάδης

οὐκ οἶδα σαφῶς· εἴξασιν γοῦν ἐρίοισιν πεπταμένοισιν,

κοὐχὶ γυναιξὶν μὰ Δίʼ οὐδʼ ὁτιοῦν· αὗται δὲ ῥῖνας ἔχουσιν.

Σωκράτης

ἀπόκριναί νυν ἅττʼ ἂν ἔρωμαι.
345

Στρεψιάδης

λέγε νυν ταχέως ὅ τι βούλει.

Σωκράτης

ἤδη ποτʼ ἀναβλέψας εἶδες νεφέλην κενταύρῳ ὁμοίαν,

ἢ παρδάλει ἢ λύκῳ ἢ ταύρῳ;

Στρεψιάδης

νὴ Δίʼ ἔγωγʼ. εἶτα τί τοῦτο;

Στρεψιάδης

τί γὰρ ἢν ἅρπαγα τῶν δημοσίων κατίδωσι Σίμωνα, τί δρῶσιν;

Σωκράτης

ἀποφαίνουσαι τὴν φύσιν αὐτοῦ λύκοι ἐξαίφνης ἐγένοντο.

Στρεψιάδης

ταῦτʼ ἄρα ταῦτα Κλεώνυμον αὗται τὸν ῥίψασπιν χθὲς ἰδοῦσαι,

ὅτι δειλότατον τοῦτον ἑώρων, ἔλαφοι διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο.

Σωκράτης

καὶ νῦν γʼ ὅτι Κλεισθένη εἶδον, ὁρᾷς, διὰ τοῦτʼ ἐγένοντο γυναῖκες.
355

Disciple.

What do you wonder at? To what do they seem to you to be like?
185

Strepsiades.

To the Spartans who were taken at Pylos . But why in the world do these look upon the ground?

Disciple.

They are in search of the things below the earth.

Strepsiades.

Then they are searching for roots. Do not, then, trouble yourselves about this;

for I know where there are large and fine ones. Why, what are these doing, who are bent down so much?
190

Disciple.

These are groping about in darkness under Tartarus.

Strepsiades.

Why then does their rump look toward heaven?

Disciple.

It is getting taught astronomy alone by itself. Turning to the pupils. But go in, lest he meet with us.

Strepsiades.

Not yet, not yet; but let them remain, that I may communicate to them a little matter of my own.

Disciple.

It is not permitted to them to remain without in the open air for a very long time.

Strepsiades.

(discovering a variety of mathematical instruments). Why, what is this, in the name of heaven? Tell me.
200

Disciple.

This is Astronomy.

Strepsiades.

But what is this?

Disciple.

Geometry.

Strepsiades.

What then is the use of this?

Disciple.

To measure out the land.

Strepsiades.

What belongs to an allotment?

Disciple.

No, but the whole earth.

Strepsiades.

You tell me a clever notion; for the contrivance is democratic and useful.

Disciple.
(pointing to a map).

See, here’s a map of the whole earth. Do you see? This is Athens .

Strepsiades.

What say you? I don’t believe you; for I do not see the Dicasts sitting.

Disciple.

Be assured that this is truly the Attic territory.

Strepsiades.

Why, where are my fellow-tribesmen of Cicynna?
210

Disciple.

Here they are. And Euboea here, as you see, is stretched out a long way by the side of it to a great distance.

Strepsiades.

I know that; for it was stretched by us and Pericles. But where is Lacedaemon ?

Disciple.

Where is it? Here it is.

Strepsiades.

How near it is to us! Pay great attention to this, to remove it very far from us.
215

Disciple.

By Jupiter, it is not possible.

Strepsiades.

Then you will weep for it. Looking up and discovering Socrates. Come, who is this man who is in the basket?

Disciple.

Himself.

Strepsiades.

Who’s Himself?

Disciple.

Socrates.

Strepsiades.

O Socrates! Come, you sir, call upon him loudly for me.

Disciple.

Nay, rather, call him yourself; for I have no leisure.