Menander's

Dyskolos (Grouch)
translated by Vincent J. Rosivach

CAST OF CHARACTERS
Pan, the
god
Khaireas (Kh.), Sostratos' "gofer"
Sostratos (So.), the young man in love
Pyrrhias (Py.), a slave in Sostratos' town house
Knemon (Kn.), father of Sostratos' beloved, the grouch of the play's title
Girl (Gi.), Sostratos' beloved, Knemon's daughter
Daos (Da.). Gorgias' slave
Gorgias (Go.), half-brother of Sostratos' beloved
Sikon (Sik.), a hired cook
Getas (Ge.), a slave in Sostratos' country house
Simikhe (Sim.), Knemon's slave, an older woman
Kallippides (Ka.), Sostratos' father
Mother (Mo.), Sostratos' mother
Myrrhine, Gorgias' mother and Knemon's former wife (non-speaking)
Donax, a slave in Kallippides' household (non-speaking)
other slaves and female relatives and friends of Sostratos' mother (nonspeaking)
chorus of Pan-worshipers who sing the choral interludes

STAGE SETTING
The stage represents a country road leading from the city of Athens in one
direction and further into the countryside on the other. The three
openings in the stage's backdrop represent Knemon's farmstead on one
side, Gorgias' farmstead on the other, and a shrine of Pan and the Nymphs
in the center. The farmsteads are understood as compounds that include
a residence, barn, well, etc. Both Knemon and Gorgias work fields
offstage reached by the road that runs across the stage. Kallippides'
country house also lies offstage along the same road.

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Pan [enters from shrine] Think of this place as a part of Attike

Phyle, to be exact and the Nymphs' shrine I've come from
belongs to the Phylasians and to those who can
farm the rocks here a famous shrine indeed.
This farmstead the one here on the right
Knemon lives there, a man who shuns other men,
grouches at everyone, and dislikes crowds.
Did I say "crowds"? This man has lived here
a reasonably long time and has gladly talked in his life
to no one, has spoken first to no one
except of necessity, since he is a neighbor and passes by

me,

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died

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nothing

25

30

Pan. And he immediately regrets it,

I'm sure. Anyhow, with a character like this,
he still got married. His wife was a widow
whose first husband had just
and left her with a son who was very small then.
He fought with her not only every day all day
but took up the better part of the night as well
and lived miserably. A baby daughter came along
even worse. When things were so bad that
more could happen, and his life was bitter, pain upon pain,
his wife left him and went back to live with her son,
the one from her first marriage.
He had a little farm, very small, here
next door, where he supports now not very well
his mother, himself, and a single faithful servant
whom he inherited from his father. A fine young man
the boy is already, with a mind beyond his years:
the experience of troubles hastens maturity.
Now the old man lives all alone with his
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daughter
and a gray-haired serving woman, carrying wood and digging,
always
working. Beginning with the neighbors here
and his wife all the way down to the people of Kholargos
he hates, one after another, everyone. The girl, however,
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has turned out rather like her upbringing,
totally
unfamiliar with anything mean. And those who live here with me
the Nymphs she reveres and attentively honors them,
and by so doing she has persuaded us to give some attention
to her. There's a young man whose very rich father
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owns farms around here worth many
talents.
He usually spends his time in the city
but he went hunting with someone
and by chance came to this very spot,
where I possessed him to fall in love.
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These are the main points. The
details
you will see, if you wish. But do wish,
for I think I see him approaching there
the man who's in love together with his friend,
talking with each other about this very subject. [exits into shrine]
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Kh. [enters with Sostratos from the direction of town] What are
you saying? You saw a free girl here
garlanding the Nymphs next door, Sostratos,
and you immediately came away in
love. So. Immediately. Kh. So fast!
Or had you planned this when you went out, to fall in love with
someone?
So. You're making fun of me. Khaireas, I'm in bad shape.
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Kh. Hey, I believe you. So. That's why I've come here and
brought
you along for this enterprise, because I think you're both a friend
and very enterprising. Kh. For things like this, Sostratos,
that's what I am. One of my friends brings me along
when he's in love with an hetaira. Immediately I grab her and
take her off,
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get drunk, burn down the door I absolutely can't stand
logic.
Instead of finding out all about her, just get her:
moving slowly increases love enormously
but moving quickly means ending quickly.
Now someone talks instead about marriage and a free girl:
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I'm someone different there. I inquire about her
family,
finances, character. That way for the rest of time
I leave my friend a reminder of me and
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how I managed these things. So. And very well,

([aside] but not at all suitably for me). Kh. And now at least,
since I haven't before,
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I've got to hear this completely through. So. Early this
morning
I myself sent Pyrrhias, who had gone hunting with me,
from home Kh. To whom? So. To the father himself
of the girl ... to meet him, or the head
of the household, whoever it is. Kh. Herakles,
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what are you saying? So. I made a mistake: a
slave
wasn't the right person perhaps for something like this. But it
isn't easy
when you're in love to see the whole picture and know what's
right.
And the delay ... I'm amazed he's been there for so long.
I told him to come straight home
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once he found out about things
here.
Py. [enters from the direction of Kn.'s fields] Let me through,
watch out, everybody get out of the way.
He's crazy, the guy who's chasing me, crazy. So. What's
this, boy?
Py. Run away. So. What is it? Py. Dirt, stones ... thrown at me.
I'm done for. So. Thrown at you? Where? You're crazy. Py. He
isn't still
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chasing me? So. By Zeus. Py. But I thought he
was. So. What
are you saying? Py. Let's get out of here, I'm begging
you. So. Where?
Py. From the door here, as far as possible.
A son of distress, either he's been driven mad by some god
or he's naturally crazy, the man who lives
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in that house, the one you send me
to.
Damn! My toes, I've shattered
nearly all of them banging into things.
(So. [aside to Khaireas] He's come here and gotten drunk.
Kh. Clearly.) Py. By Zeus, I'd rather be completely wiped out,
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Sostratos, and destroyed. Keep up your
guard.
I can't speak. I'm out of
breath OK, I knocked on the door of the house
and said I was looking for the head of the house. Someone came
out to me,
a miserable old woman, right here where I'm standing now
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talking to you. She pointed him out to me on the crest of the
ridge
there, going around collecting his damned pears or a lot of
trouble for himself. Kh. How angrily!
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friendly

Why, my good man? Py. I entered his land,

proceeded towards him, and very much
from a distance wishing to be very

and tactful I spoke to him and

"I've come to you, father, about something," I say, "to see you
about something,
to propose a piece of business in your interest." Right away
"Damn you," he says, "On my land?
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You have come on my land? What's the idea?" He picks up a
lump of dirt,
throws it right in my face.
Kh. Damn him. Py. And while I was saying "But Poseidon damn
you"
I shut my eyes and he grabbed some stake or something again.
He cleaned my clock with it over and over, saying "What business
do you and I
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have? Don't you know the public
road?",
screeching as loud as he could. Kh. He's completely crazy,
that farmer you're describing. Py. The ending: So I'm running
away
and he's chased me for maybe fifteen stadia,
first around the ridge, then down this way
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to this clump of trees, slinging lumps of dirt,
stones,
the pears when he didn't have anything else. Wild business
totally, damned
old man. I'm begging you, get out of here. So. You're talking
cowardice.
Py. You don't know what kind of trouble there is here. Hell
eat
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us up. Kh. Perhaps maybe this person happens to be somewhat
distressed now.
For that reason I think it's best to postpone
approaching him, Sostratos. Rest assured,
for every piece of business the most businesslike thing is
to choose the right moment. Py. You two, please have some
sense. Kh. It's a very bitter thing
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a poor farmer is, not just this
one
but nearly all. But tomorrow when it's light
I'll go to him myself alone, since now I know
the house. And now you go home
yourself and pass the time there. This will turn out OK. [exits
toward city]
135
Py. Let's do as he says. So. He's glad to have found an
excuse.
It was immediately clear that he wasn't happy
walking with me, and that he didn't approve at all
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of my marriage attempt. But you, wicked you,

I hope that all the gods destroy you.
140
Py. What did I do wrong,
Sostratos?
So. Clearly you were doing some damage to his farm,
stealing something. Py. I was stealing? So. But someone was
thrashing you
when you weren't doing anything wrong? Py. But this man's
here
himself. I'm out of here, sir. You talk to him. [exits toward city]
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So. I wouldn't be able. I'm always
unconvincing
in conversation. What sort of thing to say?
His look doesn't seem totally friendly to me,
by Zeus. How serious he is! I'll move away
from the door. It's better. But he's even shouting
150
while he's walking by himself. He doesn't look sane to
me.
By Apollo and the gods, of course I'm afraid
of him: why not tell the truth?
Kn. [enters from the direction of his fields] Then wasn't
that Perseus blessed in two
ways, that he grew wings
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and avoided everyone walking on the
ground,
then that he possessed such a fine possession with which
he turned to stone everyone who annoyed him? I wish
I could get that for myself now, because nothing would be more
abundant
than stone statues everywhere.
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Now life is unlivable, by
Asklepios.
They talk and come on my land
now. Alongside the road, by Zeus,
that's where I usually waste my time, I suppose! Why, I don't
even work
that part of the farm: I've run away
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because of the passers-by. But up to the ridges up
there
they chase after me now. Oh the overpopulous crowd!
Aargh! Once again someone is standing over there
by our door. (So. [aside] Will he hit me?)
Kn. It's impossible to find a place to be alone anywhere,
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not even if it happens you want to hang
yourself.
So. ([aside] Is he angry at me?) I'm waiting around, father, for
someone
here. We made an appointment. Kn. Didn't I say it?
6

Have you people made up your mind this is a stoa or the shrine of
Leos?
In front of my house, if you want to see someone,
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that's where you arrange to meet!
Absolutely,
and build a seat, if you have any sense,
or better yet a bunch of them for your meetings. Poor me!
Getting in other people's ways, that's the trouble, it seems to me.
[exits into his house]
So. Not ordinary effort, it seems to me,
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is what this business needs, but something more
intense.
It's clear. Shall I go then
to Getas, my father's slave? By the gods,
I will. He's got something fiery about him,
and he's experienced in all kinds of business.
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He'll push all that man's grouchiness away, I know
it.
As for letting this business lie for a while,
I reject the idea. Many things could happen in a single day.
But I hear someone at the door.
Gi. [enters from Knemon's house] Oh, poor me, what troubles
I've got!
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What will I do now? My nanny was pulling up the
bucket
and she let it fall into the well. (So. [aside] O Zeus Father
and Healer Phoibos, o dear Dioskoroi,
Such irresistible beauty!) Gi. He ordered me to get some warm
water ready,
daddy did, when he was going out. (So. [addressing
audience] Men, what a marvel!)
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Gi. If he finds out about this,
he'll
beat her to death. No time for wasted words.
Dearest Nymphs, I've got to take the water from you.
I'm embarrassed, if there are people sacrificing
inside, to trouble ... So. But if you will give it to me,
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I will dip the vessel in the water for you and come back with it
immediately.
Gi. Yes, by the gods: hurry. (So. [aside] Quite ladylike
for a country girl. O much-honored gods,
which of the spirits would save me now? [exits into
shrine]) Gi. Poor me,
Who made that noise? Is daddy coming?
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Then I'll get a beating if he catches
me
outside. Da. [enters from Gorgias' house, speaking back into
house] I've spent a long time doing chores for you
here while he's digging by himself. I've got to go
to him. Oh you most miserable thing,
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Poverty, why have we found you as much as we have?

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Why for so long like this do you
continually
sit inside and live with us? So. [enters from shrine] Take
this. Gi. Bring it here. Da. What ever does this
person want? So. Farewell. [the girl exits into Knemon's house]
Oh, damn it. Stop whining, Sostratos:
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it'll be OK. Da. OK? what will be OK? So. Don't be
afraid,
but what you were going to do just now get Getas
and come back with him once you've told him everything clearly.
[exits towards Kallippides' house]
Da. What ever is this trouble? I don't like at all
this business. A young man doing chores
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for a girl: bad. But damned you,
Knemon,
I hope all the gods destroy you.
An innocent girl and you leave her alone by herself,
provide no protection as you should have.
When he found this out, maybe
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this man sneaked up, thinking it
some
lucky find. Surely not, but I'd better
tell her brother as quick as I can about this, so
we can watch out for the girl.
I think I'll go and do it now.
230
I see these worshippers of Pan
coming
here to this place. They look a little drunk:
it's not the time, I think, to bother them. [exits toward Gorgias'
farm]

CHORAL SONG
Go. [enters with Daos] Just like that, like something
unimportant ... tell me, this business,
you handled it so lightly? Da. How? Go. By Zeus, you should
235
have seen the man approaching the girl, Daos, whoever he
was,
then, immediately, and told him how that's one thing in the
future
no one will ever see him
do again. Now, just like it was someone else's
business, you stood back. It's not possible, I suppose, to escape
240
blood ties, Daos. My sister still
matters
to me. Her father wants to be a stranger
8

as far as we're concerned: his grouchiness is something

we shouldn't imitate, for if she should fall into something
shameful
the disgrace would also become mine:
245
someone from outside doesn't know who's
responsible
but he does know what happened.
Let's knock. Da. Sir ... the old man, Gorgias,
I'm afraid of him. If he catches me going toward his door
he'll hang me right away. Go. He's hard to handle, I suppose,
250
fighting when he doesn't have to. I don't know either
how
someone would force him to the better
or change his mind with advice.
But as for forcing him he's got the law firmly with him,
and as for persuading him, he's got his personality.
255
Da. Hold on a second: we haven't come in
vain.
But just as I said, he's turned around and he's coming back again.
Go. The man with the expensive cloak? Is this the one you
mean?
Da. Exactly. Go. Someone who's up to no good: you can see
immediately from his expression.
So. [enters on stage] I didn't catch Getas at home.
260
Mother is going to sacrifice to some god

I don't know which she does this everyday,

she goes around the deme in a circle sacrificing ...
the deme village she sent him off
to hire a cook from around here. I've passed
265
on the sacrifice and come back to things
here.
And I think I'll put aside all this strolling about
and speak myself on my own behalf. But I'll knock on the door
so I can't stop and think about it any more.
Go. Young man, would you wish to abide
270
a rather serious word from me? So. And quite happily.
Speak.
Go. I myself think that there is for all men,
both those who are prospering and those doing badly,
some sort of limit to this and some change:
and for the one who is prospering that thus far
275
the things of life remain on the right
track
for however much time he is able to bear his good luck
and does nothing bad. But whenever he comes to this,
led on by his goods, there, I suppose,
he gets a change for the worse;
280
but for those who are needy, if they do nothing
bad
9

285
again

290
astray,

295
that

300
Many

while they are poor but nobly bear

their luck and come to some trust in the course of time,
they expect there will be some better share.
What then am I saying? Do not yourself, if you are very rich,
trust in this, and as for beggars like us,
don't look down on us, but to the people who see you
always show yourself worthy of continuing prosperity.
So. Do I seem to you to be doing something out of place?
Go. You seem to me to have set your heart on a base deed,
thinking you would persuade a young girl to go
a free girl or watching for some suitable moment
you would do something worthy of many deaths.
So. Apollo! Go. It is not right at least
that your leisure become trouble
for us who have no leisure. And of all things, know
a beggar who has been wronged is the most irritable thing.
First of all he is an object of pity, then he takes
the things he has suffered not as injustice but as arrogance.
So. Young man, bless you: listen to me a bit
Da. Bravo, master!
blessings! So. and you, the one who speaks before knowing.
I saw a girl here. I am in love with her.
If you call this an injustice, perhaps I have done something

unjust.
305
her

For what might someone say? Except that I come here

not to her, but I wish to see

father. For I, being free,

having a sufficient income, I am ready to take
her as my bride without a dowry, and I add a pledge to spend the
rest of my life
loving her. But if I have come here with a view to evil
310
or wishing to plan some harm against you and your family
secretly
let Pan here, young man, and the Nymphs with him
strike me senseless right here next to the house
now. I am troubled, you can be sure,
extremely troubled, if this is the kind of person I seem to you.
315
Go. But if I perhaps spoke myself more strongly than I should
have,
don't let it upset you any longer,
for you've changed my mind about these things and you have me
as a friend.
It is not as an outsider but as the girl's brother
from the same mother, sir, that I say these things to you.
10

320
me.

325

So. And you will be useful, by Zeus, in the future to

Go. Useful? How? So. I see you are generous by nature.
Go. I don't want to send you off with an empty excuse,
but to make clear how things are. She has a father
like no human has ever been, neither in the past
nor in our days. So. The difficult one

I know what you mean. Go. This trouble goes too far.
He owns this farm here, worth may-be two talents.
He keeps farming it himself
by himself, with no one to work with him,
330
not a servant from the house, not a hired man from the
neighborhood,
not a neighbor, but himself by himself.
The sweetest thing for him is to see no human being.
While he's working he keeps the girl with him
mostly; he talks only to her,
335
which he wouldn't do easily to anyone
else.
Then he says he will give her in marriage when
he finds a son-in-law with the same character he has. So. You
mean,
never. Go. Don't give yourself troubles, sir,
for you'll have them in vain. Let us, his kin,
340
bear these things since luck has given them to
us.
So. By the gods, have you never fallen in love with someone,
young man? Go. It's not possible for me, sir. So. How so?
Who's stopping you? Go. The calculation of my present
troubles,
which doesn't give me a break none
whatsoever.
345
So. You don't seem to. At least you talk like someone rather
inexperienced
about these things. You tell me to stand aside:
to do so is no longer up to me, but to god. Go. And so
you do us no wrong, but you are suffering troubles in vain.
So. Not if I should get the girl. Go. You wouldn't get her.
350
But all the same, follow along together with
me
and stand next to me. He works the glen
next to us. So. Why? Go. I will put in a word
about the girl's marriage, something like this
I'd gladly see happen myself.
355
He immediately fights against everybody, scolding
them
for the lives they lead. If he catches sight of you at your
leisure like some pampered child he won't put up with even
seeing you.
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360
it

So. Is he there now? Go. By Zeus, rather in a little while

he'll go out by his usual way. So. Sir, the girl,
are you saying he'll bring her with him? Go. However

happens. So. Walk I'm ready to where you say.

But I beg you, help me in the struggle. Go. In what way?
So. In what way? Let's proceed to where you say he
is. Da. What then?
While we're working are you going to stand next to us with your
365
fine cloak? So. Why ever not? Da. He will throw those clumps of
dirt
immediately at you and he'll call you a lazy pest. But you've got
to
dig with us. For if he should happen to see this,
may-be he'd tolerate some word even from you
because he thought you were a working farmer, by your way of
life
370
a poor man. So. I am ready to obey all commands. Go
ahead.
Go. Why do you force yourself to suffer? (Da. [aside] I hope
we work as much as possible today
and this guy throws out his back
and stops bothering us and coming here.)
375
So. Bring out a mattock. Da. Take this one from me and go
on.
I'll work on building the stone fence for a while
myself. That too has to be done. So. Give it to me.
You've saved me. Da. I'm on my way, lad. Follow me there.
[exits toward Gorgias' farm]
So. So it is for me: I must all but die now
380
or have the girl and live. Go. If in fact you are
saying
what you're thinking, I hope you get it. [exits toward his
farm] So. O much-honored gods!
The arguments which you use to turn me away, as you think, my
friend,
have made me twice as sharp for this business.
For if the girl has not been raised among women
385
and knows nothing of the bad
things

390
talents:

in this life, and hasn't been frightened by some aunt

or grandmother, but has grown up somewhat as a lady would,
with a fierce father whose character is to hate evil,
how would getting this woman not be a blessing?
But this mattock weighs four
it will kill me first. All the same, no softening

12

once I've gotten down to working at this business. [exits toward

Gorgias' farm]
Sik. [enters from the opposite direction] This sheep is not an
everyday beauty.
395
([to sheep] Go to hell!) If I lift it and carry it
up high, it holds on to an olive shoot with its
mouth,
it eats the fig leaves, it violently twists away.
If you let it loose on the ground it won't move along.
So the opposite has happened to what you'd expect. I,
the cook, have been made mincemeat by this sheep, dragging it
along the road.
400
But luckily this is the Nymphs'
shrine
where we will sacrifice. Hail Pan. Getas boy,
left so far behind? Ge. [enters on stage] Four
mules' worth, that's the cargo these damned, damned women
tied on me
to carry. Sik. There some large crowd coming,
405
it would seem. It's indescribable how many
rugs
you're carrying. Ge. What do I do now? Sik. Lean those things
here. Ge. There!
If she sees Pan in a dream, the one
in Paiania, we'll immediately walk there, I'm sure,
to sacrifice to him. Sik. Who has seen a dream?
410
Ge. Man, don't wear me out. Sik. All the same, speak,
Getas.
Ge. The woman who owns me. Sik. What, by the gods?
Ge. You'll kill me. She thought Pan Sik. You're talking about
this one?
Ge. This one Sik. Was doing what? Ge. For the young master
Sostratos
Sik. An elegant young man too Ge. that Pan was hammering
fetters around his feet.
415
Sik. Apollo! Ge. Then he gave him a
leather jacket and

420
inside

a mattock and ordered him to dig on the farm next door.

Sik. Strange. Ge. But we are sacrificing
because of this, that it will turn out better than she fears.
Sik. I understand. Lift this up again now and carry it
inside. Let's get some reclining places prepared
and get everything else ready. Nothing should hinder their
sacrificing when they come. But good luck to them.
And relax those eyebrows, you triply miserable man.
I'll fatten you the way you like today.
13

425
craft

Ge. I've always been a fan of you and your

but I still don't trust you at all. [they exit into the shrine]

CHORAL SONG

Kn. [enters from his house] Old woman, lock the door and don't
open it for anyone
until I myself come back here again.
That will be when it's completely dark, I
imagine.
430
Mo. [enters with retinue from the direction of Kallippides' house]
Plangon, move more quickly.
We should have finished sacrificing by now. Kn. What does this
trouble mean?
Some crowd. Go to hell! Mo. Play your pipes, Parthenis,
Pan's song. This god, they say,
should not be approached in silence. Ge. [enters from shrine] By
Zeus, you're all safe.
435
Kn. Herakles, how disgusting! Ge. We've been
sitting
for so long, waiting around. Mo. Is everything
ready for us? Ge. By Zeus!
Mo. The sheep at any rate it's almost dead, the poor thing
it isn't waiting your leisure. But go inside.
440
The baskets, have them handy ... wash
basins, thulemata.
Ge. What are you gaping at, you thunderstruck fool? [all but
Knemon exit into the shrine]
Kn. Damned you, damned you. They
keep me from working because I can't leave the house alone.
The Nymphs are trouble for me
445
continually since they live next door, so Im thinking
I'll
build a new house and tear this one down
to get away from here. The way these thieves sacrifice:
they bring food boxes, jugs of wine ... not for the gods
but for themselves. Incense is pious,
450
so is a flat cake. This the god takes

all of it when it is put on the fire. But these people, they put
the tailbone
and the gallbladder on the fire since they are inedible for the
gods,
and they gobble down the rest themselves. Old woman,
quickly open the door. We should do
14

455
the inside work, I think. [exits into his
house]
Ge. [enters, speaking back into the shrine] The pot, you say, you
forgot. Are you people complete
drunks sleeping off a hangover? And what will we do now?
I'll have to bother the god's neighbors,
it seems. [knocks on Knemon's door] Boy! [to himself] By the
gods,
460
I don't think there's a more pathetic bunch of little servant
girls
being raised anywhere. They don't know how to do anything
except
screw around [knocks again] Nice boys!
[to himself] and tell tales if someone sees. [knocks again] Little
boy!
[to himself] What the hell is this? [knocks again] Boy! [to
himself] There isn't a single person
465
inside. Uh-oh. It seems that someone is running toward the
door.
Kn. [opens his door] Why are you hanging on to the door, you
triply miserable person, tell me,
man. Ge. Don't bite! Kn. I will, by Zeus,
and I'll eat you alive. Ge. No, by the gods!
Kn. What business, you scoundrel, do I have
470
with you. Ge. No business. And in
fact
I haven't come to demand back a loan from you and I don't have
witnesses to some summons, but I've come to ask for a cooking
pot.
Kn. A cooking pot? Ge. A cooking pot. Kn. You worthless slave,
do you think I sacrifice oxen and do the same things
475
you and your people do? Ge. I don't think you'd even sacrifice a
snail.
But farewell, good man. They told me to knock on the door,
the women did, and to ask.
I did this. There isn't any: I'll report that back
when I go to them. [to himself as he exits into the shrine] O
much-honored gods,
480
a gray-haired snake he is, this man.
Kn. Man-killing wild beasts! Right away, just like going to a
friend,
they knock. If I catch somebody coming toward our door,
if I don't make him an example to everyone in this place,
consider me as no better than a nobody.
485
This one now doesnt know
how
lucky he's been, whoever he was. [exits into his house]

15

Sik. [enters from shrine, speaking to Getas still inside] Damned

you! He chewed you out? Maybe
you spoke to him like the shit-eater you are when you asked him.
Some people
don't know how to do something like this. I myself have
discovered the art of doing it.
490
I cater to tens of thousands of people in the
city
and I bother their neighbors and take
equipment from all of them. You need to be flattering
if you need something. An older man answers the door.
Right away I call him "father" and "daddy";
495
an old woman, "mother." If it's some middle-aged
woman,
I call her "priestess." If one of the servants,
"my good man." [speaking in the direction of the shrine] But you
people can go hang.
[to himself] Oh how ignorant, just calling out "boy, little boy."
[knocks on Knemon's door] It's me. Come out, dear little father. I
want to talk with you.
500
Kn. [opening his door] You again? Sik. Huh, what's
this? Kn. You're getting me angry as if
on purpose. Didn't I tell
you
not to come toward the door. Give me the lash, old
woman. Sik. Never,
but let me go! Kn. "Let me go?" Sik. My good man, by the
gods!
Kn. Come back here. Sik. Poseidon damn you. Kn. And you're
still chattering?
505
Sik. I came to ask you for an earthenware pot. Kn. I don't have
an earthenware pot
or a cleaver or
salt
or vinegar or anything else, but I've told all the people in this
place
quite simply not to come here.
Sik. You didn't tell me. Kn. But I'm telling you now.
510
Sik. And it will mean trouble for you. But tell
me,
you wouldn't even say where someone could go and get
one? Kn. Didn't I tell you?
Will you still keep chattering to me? Sik. Fare thee well. Kn. I
don't want
any farewells from any one of you. Sik. Then don't fare well.
Kn. Oh these incurable troubles. [exits into his house] Sik. Fine
way
515
he's plowed me over. What a thing it is to ask
skillfully!
Makes a difference, by Zeus! Shall one go to another door?
16

520
say

But if they are so ready to practice boxing in this place,

it'll be hard. Is it better for me
to roast all the meat? It seems so.
I've got a baking dish. Farewell I
to the Phylasians. I'll use the things I have. [exits into shrine]

So. [returning from Gorgias' field] Whoever has run out of

troubles, let him come
hunting in Phyle! Oh triply cursed, the way I feel
in my back, my stomach, my throat in a word,
525
in my whole body! For I immediately got down to work, very
much
a young man, so to speak, and raising
the mattock vigorously, as if I were a workman, I kept striking
deep into the ground.
I put myself into it as if I loved labor not for long.
Then I also kept turning around a bit, trying to see when
530
the old man would come bringing the girl with
him.
And by Zeus, each time I gripped
my lower back, secretly at first ... how long
this all was ... I began to arch my back
but I was quietly becoming stiff as a board. No one was coming.
535
The sun was burning me up. Gorgias kept looking
over
and see me, just like a well arm,
barely rising up, then with my whole body
bending down again. "It doesn't seem to me now," he
said,
"that he will come, young man." "What do we do then," I said
immediately, "Tomorrow shall we watch
540
for him and let it go for now?" Daos was there
to be my successor in the digging. And so the first
approach turned out like that. I've come here,
why I can't say, by the gods,
545
but the business drags me unbidden to this
place.
Ge. [enters from shrine, speaking to Sikon within] What's the
problem? You think I have sixty hands,
man? I blow on the coals till they glow for you;
I take, I carry, I wash, I cut up the animal's innards all at the
same time.
I knead the dough; I carry around the pottery, by Pan here,
550
and I get completely blinded by the smoke for these
people.
I really seem to be celebrating the feast! So. Getas, boy.
Ge. Who's calling me? So. I am. Ge. And who are
you? So. Don't you see? Ge. I see.
17

The young master. So. What are you doing here? Tell
me. Ge. "What?" you ask.
We've just now finished sacrificing and we're preparing
555
a lunch for you people. So. Is my mother here? Ge. For a while
now.
So. And my father? Ge. We're waiting for him. But come join
them.
So. After I've run an errand. That the sacrifice is precisely here
has turned out to be quite convenient. For I'll bring along
the young man, going just as I am,
560
and his servant. Once they've
shared
in sacrificial meals, for the future they'll be more useful
for us as allies in the matter of the wedding.
Ge. What are you saying? You're going to go and bring some
people for lunch?
As far as I'm concerned there might as well be three thousand
565
of you. I knew this myself long ago,
that
I'll not get a taste of anything. Where would I get it from? Bring
together
everyone. You've sacrificed a beautiful animal, absolutely,
worth seeing. But would these womenfolk
for they are so polite would they give a share of anything?
570
Not even, by Demeter, a share of bitter salt. So. It will be
fine
today, Getas. I prophesy
this myself, Pan ... but in truth I will pray to you
every time I go past you and I shall be a friend to my fellow
man. [exits toward Gorgias' field]
Sim. [enters from Knemon's house, at first not noticing Getas] O
unlucky! o unlucky! o unlucky!
575
Ge. [aside] Go to hell: some woman belonging to the old
man
has come out. Sim. What will I suffer? The bucket,
I wanted to get it out of the well myself
if somehow I could without my master finding out about it.
So I tied his mattock to some weak
580
small rope ... it was rotten and broke on
me
right away. Ge. good! Sim. Poor me, I let
the mattock fall into the well together with the bucket.
Ge. What's left is for you to throw yourself in too.
Sim. Unluckily he means to shift about the dung that's lying
inside,
585
and for a long time now he's been running
around
looking for the mattock and shouting I hear him at the door.
Ge. Run away, you miserable thing, run away. He'll kill you, old
woman.
18

Or rather, defend yourself. Kn. [enters from his house] Where is

the thief?
Sim. I didn't mean to throw it in, master. Kn. Go now
590
inside. Sim. What are you going to do? Tell
me. Kn. Me?
I'll tie you up and lower you into the well Sim. No! Oh
miserable
Kn. with this same rope, by the gods.
Ge. That's the best if it really is completely rotten.
Sim. Shall I call Daos from the neighbors'?
595
Kn. You'll call Daos, you villain, after you've completely ruined
me?
Haven't I been telling you? Quickly, go inside. [Simikhe exits into
Knemon's house] Kn. Poor
me, poor me, now that I'm all by myself ...
not a single person. I'll go down into the well. What else
is there to do? Ge. [to Knemon] Our people will provide a grapple
hook
600
and a rope. Kn. You pest, I hope the
gods
all of them destroy you if you say anything to me. [exits into
his house]
Ge. And quite justly! He's jumped inside again.
Oh this thrice-cursed man! Such a life he lives!
This is a pure Attic farmer:
605
fighting against rocks that grow only wild thyme and
sage,
he wins aches and pains for himself and gets nothing good out of
it.
But here's the young master coming this way,
bringing his guests with him. They're some workmen
from this place. How out of place!
610
Why is he bringing these people here now? or
where
did he get to know them? [exits into shrine] So. [enters with
Gorgias and Daos] I wouldn't allow you
to do otherwise. We have everything. Herakles!
does anybody at all refuse this,
to come to lunch when a friend has
sacrificed?
615
For I've been you should know this precisely I've been a
friend of yours for a long time now,
before I saw you. Take these things, Daos, and carry them inside
our house,
then come back. Go. No, not a all. Don't leave mother alone
at home but tend to her,
whatever she needs. I'll be there myself soon. [exits with So. to
shrine, Daos exits to Go.'s house]

19

CHORAL SONG

620
me!

Sim. [enters from Knemon's house] Whod help? Oh, poor

Whod help? Sik. [enters from shrine] Lord Herakles,

leave us alone, by the gods and spirits,
to make our libations. You people insult, you beat,
you wail away What a strange household!
625
Sim. My master's in the
well. Sik. How? Sim. How?
In order to get the mattock and the bucket out ...
he was climbing down, and then he slipped and
has fallen to the bottom. Sik. Isn't this the very difficult old
man?
He's done well, by Heaven!
630
Dearest old woman, now it's your
job. Sim. How?
Sik. A mortar or some stone or something like this,
take it and throw it in from up above. Sim. Most dear man,
climb down. Sik. Poseidon! In order to experience the point of
the saying,
I'm to fight with a dog in the well? No
way.
635
Sim. Gorgias, where in the world are you? Go. [enters from
shrine] Where in the world am I?
What is it, Simikhe? Sim. What do you mean "What"? I'll say it
again:
My master's in the well. Go. Sostratos,
Come out here. [So. enters from shrine] Sim. You lead, go inside
quickly. [they exit to Knemon's house]
Sik. [alone on stage, addressing the audience] There are gods,
by Dionysos. You don't give
640
a pot to people who are sacrificing, you templerobber,
but begrudge it. Drink the well dry now that you've fallen into it,
so you don't have to share even water with anyone.
Now the Nymphs have taken their revenge
against you on my behalf, rightly so. Not a single person
645
who has done wrong to a cook ever completely escapes
unharmed.
Our craft is suitable to the gods, so to speak.
Against the busboy, however, do what you wish.
But certainly he isn't dead? Some female is crying "daddy
dearest"
and wailing away. No way did I want this.

20

(about four lines are missing here, and the next two are too
fragmentary to restore)
[speaking to audience] The sight of him ...
what do you think it will be like? By the gods, dunked in the
water,
shivering? An elegant sight! I myself would gladly
see it, men, by Apollo here.
660
[speaking into shrine] You women, offer libations on behalf of
these people.
Pray that the old man be rescued badly,
maimed, a cripple. For that way he becomes
a most painless neighbor to this god
and to the people who are continually sacrificing here. This
concerns me,
665
if anyone will ever hire me. [exits into
shrine]
So. [enters from Knemon's house and addresses audience] Men,
by Demeter, by Asklepios,
by the gods, never in my life
has a person more conveniently drowned
almost. What a sweet way to pass the time!
670
For Gorgias, as soon as we went
in,
immediately jumped down into the well, while I and
the child up above were doing nothing for what
were we going to do? except she was pulling her hair,
she was crying, she was beating her breast,
675
while I, the golden boy, just as if, by the
gods,
I were her nanny, I stood next to her, I begged her not to do
this, I pleaded with her meanwhile looking at a delight
that was not at all ordinary. As for the man who had been
battered about down below,
he mattered less than anything, except for constantly
680
pulling on him this really bothered
me.
In fact I almost destroyed him,
for the rope, while I was looking at the girl,
I let it go maybe three times. But Gorgias was a Atlas,
and not an ordinary one at that: he held on and little by little
eventually
685
he succeeded in carrying him up. When he got out of the
well
I left them and here I am, for I can no longer
restrain myself, but I almost
went up to the girl and kissed her, so fiercely
do I love her. I'm getting ready now I hear them at the door.
690
Zeus Savior, what an odd
21

sight!
Go. [see note] Do you want anything, Knemon? Tell
me. Kn. What should I say?
I'm in poor shape. Go. Cheer up. Kn. I already have.
Knemon won't annoy you people any more in the future.
Go. This is the kind of trouble when you're all alone,
695
do you see? Now you almost perished just
then.
Having someone to keep an eye on you at your age,
that's how you should live out your life now. Kn. I'm in bad
shape, I know,
but call your mother, Gorgias,
as quickly as possible. [Gorgias exits to his house] Only trouble
knows how to teach us,
700
so it seems. Little
daughter,
hold on to me, please, and help me stand up. So. Lucky
man! Kn. [apparently to Sostratos] Why are you standing there,
you miserable person?
(about five lines are missing, and the next three and a half are
too fragmentary to restore)
[during the missing lines Gorgias returns with his mother Myrrhine; the
text resumes with Knemon speaking]
... nor could any one of you
persuade me to change my mind about this, but you will go along
with my decision.
In one thing perhaps I erred, that alone of all people I thought
I was somehow self-sufficient and would need no one.
715
Now I have seen that the end of life is sharp and
unforeseeable,
and I've found that I did not know this well back then.
There needs to be and be close by someone who will always
help out.
But by Hephaistos I so completely messed myself up
seeing the different ways people lived and their calculations, the
way
720
they directed them toward gain I thought no
one
would ever be kindly minded one to another, not one out of all of
them. This then
was what stood in my way. With difficulty one person gave me
proof now,
Gorgias, who has done a most noble man's deed.
For the person who didn't allow him even to approach my door,
725
and who never gave him help for
anything,
22

who never greeted him first, who never spoke gladly with him
he saved me all the same.
Another person might have said and quite justly "you didn't
allow me to approach:
I'm not approaching. You've never been helpful to us:
nor will I be to you now." What is it, young man? Whether I
730
will die now I think I will: I'm probably in bad shape

or if I'm saved, I make you my son, and whatever I happen to

have,
all of it consider yours. I entrust this girl to you:
get her a husband. For even if I were completely well, I'd
never be able to find one myself, since no one would ever satisfy
me.
735
But if I will live, let me live as I
wish;
you take over the rest and run it yourself. You have a mind, by
the grace of the gods;
it seems right that you be your sister's guardian. From my
property
measure out and give half as her dowry,
and take the other half yourself and look after me and your
mother.
740
But lay me down, daughter. To say more than what's
necessary
I don't think is appropriate for a man. Except know this, child
for I wish to tell you a little about me and my character
if everyone were like me there wouldn't be law courts,
and they wouldn't take them away to prisons,
745
and there wouldn't be wars, but having goods in measure each
man would be happy.
But perhaps these things are more pleasing. Act that way.
This difficult and grouchy old man will be out of your way.
Go. But I accept all this. Still with your help we must
as quickly as possible find a husband for the girl, if you agree.
750
Kn. Hey, I've told you all that I had in mind. Don't bother me, by
the gods.
Go. For someone wants to meet you Kn. No how, by the
gods!
Go. asking for the girl Kn. Something like that no longer
concerns me.
Go. the one who helped save you. Kn. Which one? Go. This
one here. Come over here, you.
Kn. He's sun-burned. Is he a farmer? Go. And very much so,
father.
755
He's not spoiled, nor is the lazy sort to stroll around all day
long.
(the next two lines are too fragmentary to restore; the following
three lines are incomplete)
23

Kn. Roll me inside.

Go. And you, take care of him. [see note] So. As for what's left,
you must betroth
760
your sister to me. Go. Refer these things, Sostratos, to your
father.
So. My father won't oppose me in anything. Go. Then I
betroth her, I give her to you, in the presence of all the gods.
It's the right thing to do, Sostratos,
for you didn't come to this business with a made-up character,
765
but simply, and you thought everything was worth doing for the
sake of the marriage.
Even if you were a softy, you took the mattock, you dug,
you were willing to work. In this part he most shows himself a
man,
whoever tolerates making himself equal to another,
rich to poor. For this man will bear a change of fortune
770
with self-control. You have given a sufficient proof of your
character.
I wish only that you remain as you are. So. And much better still.
But to praise oneself is tiresome business perhaps.
[sees father approaching from off stage] But conveniently I see
my father here. Go. Kallippides
is your father? So. Absolutely. Go. By Zeus, a rich man,
775
and rightly so, since he is an unbeatable farmer. Ka. I've been
left out perhaps.
They've eaten up the sheep by now and have long ago gone
back
to the farm. Go. Poseidon! Looks like he has a sharp hunger.
Shall we tell him these things immediately? So. First let him
have lunch.
He'll be tamer. Ka. What's this, Sostratos? Have you had lunch
already?
780
So. But something's left for you. Go on in. Ka. That's what I'm
doing. [enters into shrine]
Go. Go inside and talk now, if you wish, to your
father
by yourselves. So. Will you wait about inside your house? Go. I
won't go
out. So. In a little while then I'll call you over here myself. [exit
Sostratos to shrine, Gorgias to Knemon's house]
CHORAL SONG

So. [enters with Kallippides from shrine] All things have not
turned out as I wished for myself, father,
785
nor are they the way I expected they would be from
you. Ka. How so?
Haven't I gone along with your wishes? That you marry the one
24

you love,
I both wish it and say that it should be. So. You don't seem to me
to.
Ka. By the gods, I do too, since I know that
for a young man marriage becomes stable in this way,
790
if because of love he is convinced to do
so.
So. Then myself, I will marry the sister
of the young man, because I think he is worthy
of us. How do you feel about this now?
Will you not give him my sister in return? Ka. A shameful thing
to say.
795
I don't want to take on a bride and a bridegroom who are both
beggars:
one is enough for us.
So. You're talking about money, an unstable business.
If you think that all of this will stay with you
for all time, guard it, share with no one
800
what you own. But what you're not yourself master
of
and everything you have is not yours but luck's
don't begrudge any of these things, father, to anyone.
For luck herself will take everything of yours for herself
and assign them again to some one else, perhaps someone who
doesn't deserve it.
805
That's why I say to you, for as
long
as you are master, you must use what you've have in a noble
fashion, father,
yourself; you must help out everyone, make rich
as many people as you can by your own efforts. For this act
never dies. And if you ever happen to stumble,
810
the same will be there for you from what you've
done.
A much better thing is a visible friend
than invisible wealth which you keep buried away.
Ka. You know how it is, Sostratos. What I've accumulated
I'm not going to bury with me. How could I?
815
It's yours. You wish to make
someone
a friend now that you've tested him. Do it, and good luck!
Why are you quoting me moral maxims? Go, provide,
give, share. I've been completely convinced by you
gladly. So. Gladly? Ka. You can be sure. Don't let any of this
820
upset you. So. I'll call Gorgias
then.
Go. [enters from Knemon's house] I've listen to you at the door
as I was coming out,
I heard every word you both have said since the beginning.
What then? I accept you, Sostratos, to be my friend,
25

825
it,

and an excellent one at that, and I am extraordinarily pleased.

But business that's bigger than I am, I don't want

and even if I did, I couldn't bear it.

So. I don't know what you're saying. Go. The sister, my sister,
I give her to you as a wife. But to marry yours
I'm fine as it is. So. What do you mean, "fine"? Go. It's not
pleasant
830
to be spoiled by other people's efforts, it seems to
me,
but only when I've gathered it myself. So. You're talking
nonsense, Gorgias.
You judge yourself unworthy of the marriage?
Go. I have judged myself to be worthy of her,
but not worthy to take much when I have little.
835
Ka. By Zeus the Greatest, nobly said, I
suppose,
but you're still crazy. Go. How? Ka. Even though you have
nothing, you want to seem
superior. Since you see that I have been completely persuaded,
give in. Go. With that you've convinced me.
I'd be in bad shape twice over poor and out of my senses
840
if I ran away from the one person who shows me the direction to
security.
So. All that's left is to make the betrothals.
Ka. But I betroth, for the bearing of legitimate children,
my daughter, young man, to you, and as a dowry
I give, in addition to her, three talents. Go. And I for my part
845
have a talent as dowry for the other. Ka. You
have?
Don't give too much. Go. But I have the farm.
Ka. Hold on to the whole thing yourself, Gorgias. Your mother
now, bring her and your sister over
to the women here with us. Go. So I must.
850
So. Tonight we'll stay
here,
and tomorrow we'll have the weddings.
And the old man, Gorgias,
bring him over with you. He's more likely to get the care he
needs here
with us. Go. He will not wish to,
Sostratos.
855
So. Persuade him. Go. If I can. [exits to Knemon's
house] So. We should have a drink,
dad, now ... a fine one
and an all-night party for the women. Ka. Just the opposite:
they're drinking now and we will party all night long, I'm sure,
ourselves. I'll move along and get something ready for you
two,
26

860
something worth the while. So. Do that. [Kallipedes exits into
shrine] [Sostratos speaks to audience] In any business
a man who has good sense shouldn't completely give up ever.
Everything can be gotten with attention and hard work,
everything. I now provide the illustration of this:
in a single day I've brought about a marriage
865
that absolutely no one ever thought would
be.
Go. [enters with mother and sister] Move quickly now, you
two. So. This way.
[speaking into shrine] Mother, receive these women. [the women
enter the shrine] Knemon ... not yet?
Go. He was pleading with me to take the old woman outside too,
so he'd be completely alone by himself. So. What a character,
870
can't fight against it. Go. That's the way he is. So. Good-bye to
him.
Let's go ourselves. Go. Sostratos, I'm too embarrassed ...
women ... in the same So. What's this nonsense? Won't you
go ahead?
All in the family, that's the way you should think of these things
now. [both enter shrine together]
Sim. [enters from Knemon's house] I'm going away, by
Artemis ... me too. All by yourself,
875
lie there. Poor you for the way you
are!
When these people wanted to bring you to the god
you refused. There will be some big trouble for you again,
by the Two Gods, and bigger than now by far.
Ge. [enters from shrine toward Gorgias' house] I'll go over here
and see
(the stage musician plays his pipes)
880
Why are you piping at me, you miserable person? I still don't
have any leisure.
They're sending me to the old man who's in bad shape over here.
Stop it!
Sim. [speaking to Getas] And some one of you should go in and
sit beside him.
I'm sending off my young mistress and I want to talk
to her, say good-bye, give her a hug. Ge. Good idea. Go
on.
885
I'll take care of him for a while myself. [Simikhe exits into the
shrine] For a long time now I've decided
to seize this opportunity, but I have to work hard.
(the next two lines are fragmentary to restore)

27

890
am.

Cook Sikon, come out here and listen to me. O Poseidon,

What a game I think I've got! Sik. You calling me. Ge. I

Do you want to get even for what you've just undergone?

Sik. I've undergone? Would you screw yourself. You're talking
nonsense.
Ge. The grouchy old man is sleeping alone. Sik. How is he
then?
Ge. Not completely miserable. Sik. Couldn't he
895
stand up and beat us. Ge. Couldn't even stand, I
think.
Sik. Such sweet business you're telling me. I'll go in and ask for
something:
he'll be out of his mind. Ge. Do you know what? What if first
we drag him out and put him here,
and then we knock on the door, we ask for things ... burn him up?
900
It will be a pleasure, I say. Sik. I'm afraid
Gorgias
will catch us and clean our clocks. Ge. There's a racket inside.
They're drinking. No one will notice. Absolutely, we've
got to tame this man. We're related to him,
he's family for us. If he's always going to be like this,
905
it will be work putting up with him. Sik. How wouldn't he
be. Ge. Just be careful
he doesn't notice you carrying him here out in front of the
house. Sik. After you then ...
Wait a second, please. Don't leave me behind and go away.
And don't make any noise, by the gods. Ge. I'm not making any
noise, by G. [they both exit]
(the piper continues to play until they return carrying Knemon)
Sik. To the right. Ge. OK. Sik. Put him here. Ge. Now's the
moment. Sik. Very well,
910
I'll go first. [to piper] And you watch the
rhythm.
[knocking on Knemon's door] Boy ... little boy ... nice boys ...
boy ... little boys. Kn. I'm dead, poor me.
Sik. Nice boys ... boy ... little boy ... boy ... boys. Kn. I'm dead,
poor me.
Sik. Who's this? Are you someone from in
here? Kn. Obviously. What do you want?
Sik. I'm asking for pots from you people, and a basin. Kn. Who
would
help me stand up? Sik. You have them, you really do have
them.
915
And seven tripods and twelve tables. But boys,
give this message to the people inside: I'm in a
hurry. Kn. There's nothing.
Sik. There isn't? Kn. You've heard that ten thousand
28

times. Sik. I'll run off now.

Kn. O unlucky me! How did I get carried out
here?
920
Who put me down in front of the house? Get out of here now, you
too. Ge. Yes indeed.
Ge. Boy ... little boy ... women ... men ... doorman. Kn. You're
crazy,
man. You'll knock down the door. Ge. Lend us nine rugs
Kn. From where? Ge. and a woven Persian drape
a hundred feet long. Kn. I wish I
had
925
a strap somewhere. Old woman! Where is the old
woman? Ge. Shall I go to another
door? Kn. Get away from here now, both of you. Old woman ...
Simikhe.
I hope that all the gods destroy you, you pest! What do you
want?
Ge. I want to get a large bronze wine-mixing bowl. Kn. Who
would
help me stand up? Ge. You have it, you really do have it,
930
the drape, daddy, you inherited from your dad. Kn. Nor the wine
bowl either.
I'll kill Simikhe. Sik. Sit down and don't even grunt.
You shun the crowd, you hate women, you won't allow us to bring
you
together with the people who are sacrificing. You will put up with
all this.
There's nobody here to help. Gnash your teeth by yourself here.
935
Listen to it all, one thing after
another.
(the rest of this line and the whole of the next are too
fragmentary to restore)
When the women from our place came here
there were embraces from your wife and child first of all,
and kisses. The way they spent their time wasn't unpleasant at
all.
940
Off to the side I was preparing a drinking party
myself
for the men. These Do you hear what I'm say? Don't fall
asleep. Ge. Don't or else.
Kn. Poor me. Sik. Do you want to be there with them? Pay
attention to the rest.
It was time for a libation. A couch of leaves and grass was
stretched out on the ground. The tables
I myself for it was right for me to do this are you listening?

945
I happen to be a cook, remember. Kn. A real
29

softy.
Sik. And one person was tipping an old gray Bakkhos an old
vintage of wine
into a hollow vessel, mixing the stream of Nymphs,
and he was offering it to them in a circle, and another did the
same for the women
it was just like you were carrying water to sand Do you
understand this?
950
and one of the servant girls, soaked with wine, shaded the flower
of her youthful face
and started on a dancing
rhythm, modestly hesitating the same time and trembling,
and another was holding her hand tightly and dancing ...
Ge. Oh you poor man, you've suffered such a terrible thing
dance, get on your feet with us.
955
Kn. What do you want, you terrible people? Ge. No, you get on
your feet with us.
You're a country bumpkin. Kn. No, by the gods! Ge. Then shall
we carry you in
now? Kn. What will I do? Ge. Dance now, you too. Kn. Carry
me. It's better
perhaps to endure the things in there. Ge. You've got some
sense. We win.
O fair-victory men! Donax boy, and you Sikon,
960
lift this man up, carry him inside. [to Knemon] Watch out
now,
because if we catch you upsetting anything
again, we won't treat you so easily, you can be sure,
next time. But someone give
us crowns and a torch. Sik. Take this one.
965
Ge. [to audience] Good! If you are pleased with how we have
fought down
this troublesome old man, then with kindly thoughts,
young men, boys, men, applaud.
And may that fair-fathered, smile-loving girl
Victory favorably follow us forever.

30

NOTES
Attike, the territory of Athens, was divided into 139 districts called
"demes." Phyle was one of these, in the hilly northern part of Attike. The
play later mentions two other demes, Kholargos and Paiania. [back
to Phyle, Kholargos, Paiania]

A hetaira was a woman hired by men for companionship at parties. The

plots of New Comedy often involve young men falling in love
with hetairai.
Slaves were regularly call "boy" even when they were quite old, even by
people much younger than themselves.
Lines 89-99 are in particularly poor shape, and at various points it is
difficult to say what is missing or even who is speaking.
The stadion (pl. stadia) was a measure of distance, approximately 202
yards.
Perseus, a character from Greek mythology, slew the monster Medusa and
cut off her head, the sight of which could turn a person to stone; he also
had winged sandals that enabled him to fly.
A stoa is a covered porch used as for meetings and other public functions,
as well as a shelter to get out of the rain or the heat of the sun. Several
were built along the sides of the Athenian agora. Leos was one of the "ten
Attic heroes" who each had his own statue at a shared shrine in the agora
where people frequently gathered, though it is unclear whether Knemon is
talking about this or something else.
A female baby from a wealthy family (and those of comedy) was often
entrusted to a wet nurse, who then served as her personal servant until
she married.

31

The awkwardness of the translation here reflects the awkwardness of

Gorgias' argument in the Greek original.
The talent was a unit of both weight (about 57 lb.) and money
(6,000 drakhmai).
In a few moments, at the cook's suggestion, Getas will take off the pack
he is carrying and lean it against the shrine wall.
Leather jackets were the characteristic attire of working farmers.
Baskets and water were part of the regular equipment for
sacrifices. Thulemata (pl.) were something connected with rituals of blood
sacrifices (thu- is the Greek for such rituals} but exactly what they were in
unclear.
Well arm: a long see-saw-like pole whose up-and-down movement
lessened the effort of raising water from a well.
A libation was a liquid offering (usually wine) made to a god or gods by
pouring it on the table, floor or ground.
Menander apparently uses the ekkuklema here, a wheeled platform that
was rolled onto the stage to show the audience what was taking place
inside the house, in this case the scene of Knemon on a bed surrounded
by his daughter and Simikhe.
The ekkuklema is rolled back into Knemon's house with Knemon and the
women on it.
Kallippides is a "farmer" only in the sense that he own land which he rents
to others to farm. A rich man like Kallippides would never work the land
himself.
The "Two Gods" are Demeter and her daughter Persephone.
The rest of the play is performed to musical accompaniment on the pipes.
The joke here may be that such music usually accompanies a lively scene,
and when it starts Getas resents it since it implies that he must move
quickly: hence his complaint about lack of leisure.

Translator's note: This translation is based generally on the Greek text of

the Dyskolos published by F. H. Sandbach in hisMenandri Reliquiae
Selectae, revised edition (Oxford 1990). It departs from the Sandbach's
edition where other scholars have provided more convincing restorations
32

and, occasionally, where some creativity was required to provide a

readable text. Comments, criticisms, corrections, and suggestions for
improvement will be gladly appreciated.
Vincent J. Rosivach
[email protected]
28 April 2014

33