Cario comes out of the house with a bundle under one arm and leading Plutus with the other. Chremylus and Blepsidemus join him and all four of them depart.
Interlude of dancing by the Chorus.
Cario
Oh! you old fellows, who used to dip out the broth served to the poor at the festival of Theseus with little pieces of bread hollowed like a spoon, how worthy of envy is your fate! How happy you are,
630
both you and all just men!
Oh! you old fellows, who used to dip out the broth served to the poor at the festival of Theseus with little pieces of bread hollowed like a spoon, how worthy of envy is your fate! How happy you are,
630
both you and all just men!
Leader of the Chorus
My good fellow, what has happened to your friends? You seem the bearer of good tidings.
My good fellow, what has happened to your friends? You seem the bearer of good tidings.
Cario
What joy for my master and even more for Plutus! The god has regained his sight;
635
his eyes sparkle with the greatest brilliancy, thanks to the benevolent care of Asclepius.
What joy for my master and even more for Plutus! The god has regained his sight;
635
his eyes sparkle with the greatest brilliancy, thanks to the benevolent care of Asclepius.
Leader of the Chorus
Oh! what transports of joy! oh! what shouts of gladness!
Oh! what transports of joy! oh! what shouts of gladness!
Cario
Aye! one is compelled to rejoice, whether one wants to or not.
Aye! one is compelled to rejoice, whether one wants to or not.
Leader of the Chorus
I will sing to the honor of
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Asclepius, the son of illustrious Zeus, with a resounding voice; he is the beneficent star which men adore.
I will sing to the honor of
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Asclepius, the son of illustrious Zeus, with a resounding voice; he is the beneficent star which men adore.
Chremylus' Wife
coming out of the house
What mean these shouts? Is there good news? With what impatience have I been waiting in the house, and for so long too!
What mean these shouts? Is there good news? With what impatience have I been waiting in the house, and for so long too!
Cario
Quick! quick, some wine, mistress.
645
And drink some yourself,
Aside it's much to your taste. I bring you all blessings in a lump.
Quick! quick, some wine, mistress.
645
And drink some yourself,
Aside it's much to your taste. I bring you all blessings in a lump.
Wife
Where are they?
Where are they?
Cario
In my words, as you are going to see.
In my words, as you are going to see.
Wife
Have done with trifling! come, speak.
Have done with trifling! come, speak.
Cario
Listen, I am going to tell you everything
650
from the feet to the head.
Listen, I am going to tell you everything
650
from the feet to the head.
Wealth. Aristophanes. ed. Eugene O'Neill, Jr.. New York. 1938.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.