The Eleven Comedies, vol 1, page 230 by Aristophanes
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SOCRATES. How would you gain by that?
STREPSIADES. How? Why, if the moon did not rise, I would have no interest to pay.
SOCRATES. Why so?
STREPSIADES. Because money is lent by the month.
SOCRATES. Good! but I am going to propose another trick to you. If you were condemned to pay five talents, how would you manage to quash that verdict? Tell me.
STREPSIADES. How? how? I don't know, I must think.
SOCRATES. Do you always shut your thoughts within yourself. Let your ideas fly in the air, like a may-bug, tied by the foot with a thread.
STREPSIADES. I have found a very clever way to annul that conviction; you will admit that much yourself.
SOCRATES. What is it?
STREPSIADES. Have you ever seen a beautiful, transparent stone at the druggists, with which you may kindle fire?
SOCRATES. You mean a crystal lens.[540]
STREPSIADES. Yes.
SOCRATES. Well, what then?
STREPSIADES. If I placed myself with this stone in the sun and a long way off from the clerk, while he was writing out the conviction, I could make all the wax, upon which the words were written, melt.
SOCRATES. Well thought out, by the Graces!
STREPSIADES. Ah! I am delighted to have annulled the decree that was to cost me five talents.
SOCRATES. Come, take up this next question quickly.
STREPSIADES. Which?
SOCRATES. If, when summoned to court, you were in danger of losing your case for want of witnesses, how would you make the conviction fall upon your opponent?
STREPSIADES. 'Tis very simple and most easy.
SOCRATES. Let me hear.
STREPSIADES. This way. If another case had to be pleaded before mine was called, I should run and hang myself.
SOCRATES. You talk rubbish!
STREPSIADES. Not so, by the gods! if I was dead, no action could lie against me.
SOCRATES. You are merely beating the air. Begone! I will give you no more lessons.
STREPSIADES. Why not? Oh!