Euripides: I would not relinquish the throne, unless I am being admonished.
830
Euripides: For I say that this art is better than that one.
Dionysus: Aeschylus, why are you silent? For you perceive the argument.
Euripides: he pretends to be serious first, which is always the case.
Euripides: he was talking nonsense in his tragedies.
Dionysus: O spirit, do not speak too greatly of men.
835
Euripides: I knew him and have been suspicious of him for a long time,
Euripides: a man who makes beasts wild and is impudent of mouth,
Euripides: 'A mouth that is unrestrained, uncontrolled, and unguarded,'
Euripides: an unceasing, bombastic, vainglorious talker.
Aeschylus: 'Is it true, child of the goddess of the field?'
840
Aeschylus: you indeed, you oafish word-gatherer,
Aeschylus: 'And a beggar-maker and a rag-stitcher?'
Aeschylus: But you will not say these things in good cheer.
Dionysus: Stop, Aeschylus.
Dionysus: And don't let your entrails heat up with wrath in anger.
Aeschylus: Not at all, until I pronounce this man clearly.
845
Aeschylus: The cripple, being what he is, acts boldly.
Dionysus: Bring out a black ram, boys!
Dionysus: for a typhoon is preparing to come out.
Aeschylus: Oh, collecting Cretan monodies,
Aeschylus: bringing unholy marriages into the art.
850
Dionysus: Stop right there, highly honored Aeschylus.
Dionysus: From the hail, you wretch Euripides!
Dionysus: Get yourself out of the way, if you are sensible,
Dionysus: so that your temple may not be struck with a blow to the head
Dionysus: If he, inflamed with anger, should pour forth Telephus;
855
Dionysus: but you, not towards Aeschylus in anger, but gently.
Dionysus: 'Check yourself, check yourself! But it is not fitting to abuse.'
Dionysus: poets like bakers.
Dionysus: But you, immediately like a pine tree that has been set on fire, are shouting.
Frogs. Aristophanes. . 2026-09-08.