Socrates: so that, while disputing, he might escape a lawsuit.
Socrates: about to incur [a fine] when witnesses are not present.
Strepsiades: very badly and easily.
Strepsiades: And now I speak.
Strepsiades: if before yet another present lawsuit,
Strepsiades: before my name is called, may I choke myself while running.
780
Socrates: You are saying nothing.
Strepsiades: By the gods, I myself, since
Strepsiades: No one will bring a lawsuit against me after I am dead.
Socrates: You are a fool; begone, I would not teach you any longer.
Strepsiades: What? Yes, by the gods, O Socrates.
Socrates: But you will immediately forget whatever you learn.
785
Socrates: since what have you been taught first? Speak.
Strepsiades: Come, let me see: what was it first? What was it first?
Strepsiades: Where was it that we were threshing the barley, then?
Strepsiades: Alas, who was it?
Socrates: He will not perish to the crows,
Socrates: the most forgetful and clumsy little old man?
790
Strepsiades: Alas! What then, indeed, shall the wretch suffer?
Strepsiades: For I shall be ruined, having not learned to twist my tongue.
Strepsiades: But oh, Clouds, advise me to do something good.
Chorus: We, sir, advise you,
Chorus: if you have a son who has been reared,
795
Chorus: to send him in your place to learn.
Strepsiades: But he is my son, handsome and good.
Strepsiades: But he will not learn, for he is unwilling. What am I to suffer?
Chorus: But do you permit?
Strepsiades: for he is well-built and vigorous,
Strepsiades: And now from the winged women of Coisura.
800
Strepsiades: But I shall steal him; but if he does not wish,
Strepsiades: It is not possible that I will not drive them out of the house.
Strepsiades: But, having entered, wait for me a little while.
