AESCHYLUS Howbeit, if so you wish it, so we’ll have it.
DIONYSUS O bring me fire, and bring me frankincense. I’ll pray, or e’er the clash of wits begin, To judge the strife with high poetic skill. Meanwhile (To the Chorus) invoke the Muses with a song.
CHORUS O Muses, the daughters divine of Zeus, the immaculate Nine, Who gaze from your mansions serene on intellects subtle and keen, When down to the tournament lists, in bright-polished wit they descend, With wrestling and turnings and twists in the battle of words to contend, O come and behold what the two antagonist poets can do, Whose mouths are the swiftest to teach grand language and filings of speech: For now of their wits is the sternest encounter commencing in earnest.
DIONYSUS Ye two, put up your prayers before ye start.
AESCHYLUS Demeter, mistress, nourisher of my soul, O make me worthy of thy mystic rites!
DIONYSUS (To Eur.) Now put on incense, you.
EURIPIDES Excuse me, no; My vows are paid to other gods than these.
DIONYSUS What, a new coinage of your own?
EURIPIDES Precisely.
DIONYSUS Pray then to them, those private gods of yours.
EURIPIDES Ether, my pasture, volubly-rolling tongue, Intelligent wit and critic nostrils keen, O well and neatly may I trounce his plays!
CHORUS We also are yearning from these to be learning Some stately measure, some majestic grand Movement telling of conflicts nigh. Now for battle arrayed they stand, Tongues embittered, and anger high. Each has got a venturesome will, Each an eager and nimble mind; One will wield, with artistic skill, Clearcut phrases, and wit refined;
Cite This Text