The Clouds | Page 3

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THE CLOUDS
Aristophanes

Trans. William James Hickie

* All Greek from the original edition has been transliterated into
Roman characters.
Dramatis Personae
Strepsiades Phidippides Servant of Strepsiades Disciples of Socrates
Socrates Chorus of Clouds Just Cause Unjust Cause Pasias Amynias
Witness Chaerephon
Scene: The interior of a sleeping-apartment: Strepsiades, Phidippides,
and two servants are in their beds; a small house is seen at a distance.
Time: midnight.
Strepsiades (sitting up in his bed). Ah me! Ah me! O King Jupiter, of
what a terrible length the nights are! Will it never be day? And yet long
since I heard the cock. My domestics are snoring; but they would not
have done so heretofore! May you perish then, O war! For many
reasons; because I may not even punish my domestics. Neither does
this excellent youth awake through the night; but takes his ease,
wrapped up in five blankets. Well, if it is the fashion, let us snore
wrapped up.
[Lies down, and then almost immediately starts up again.]
But I am not able, miserable man, to sleep, being tormented by my
expenses, and my stud of horses, and my debts, through this son of
mine. He with his long hair, is riding horses and driving curricles, and
dreaming of horses; while I am driven to distraction, as I see the moon
bringing on the twentieths; for the interest is running on. Boy! Light a
lamp, and bring forth my tablets, that I may take them and read to how
many I am indebted, and calculate the interest.
[Enter boy with a light and tablets.]
Come, let me see; what do I owe? Twelve minae to Pasias. Why twelve

minae to Pasias? Why did I borrow them? When I bought the
blood-horse. Ah me, unhappy! Would that it had had its eye knocked
out with a stone first!
Phidippides (talking in his sleep). You are acting unfairly, Philo! Drive
on your own course.
Strep. This is the bane that has destroyed me; for even in his sleep he
dreams about horsemanship.
Phid. How many courses will the war-chariots run?
Strep. Many courses do you drive me, your father. But what debt came
upon me after Pasias? Three minae to Amynias for a little chariot and
pair of wheels.
Phid. Lead the horse home, after having given him a good rolling.
Strep. O foolish youth, you have rolled me out of my possessions; since
I have been cast in suits, and others say that they will have surety given
them for the interest.
Phid. (awakening) Pray, father, why are you peevish, and toss about the
whole night?
Strep. A bailiff out of the bedclothes is biting me.
Phid.