Euripides.
And words like Mount Lycabettus
Or Parnes, such as you give us for choice, must needs be good counsel?—Oh, let us,
Oh, let us at least use the language of men!
Aeschylus.
Flat cavil, sir! cavil absurd!
When the subject is great and the sentiment, then, of necessity, great grows the word;
When heroes give range to their hearts, is it strange if the speech of them over us towers?
Nay, the garb of them too must be gorgeous to view, and majestical, nothing like ours.
All this I saw, and established as law, till you came and spoilt it.
Euripides.
How so?
Aeschylus.
You wrapped them in rags from old beggarmen's bags, to express their heroical woe,
And reduce the spectator to tears of compassion!
Euripides.
Well, what was the harm if I did?
Aeschylus. (evading the question as before)
Bah, your modern rich man has adopted the fashion, for remission of taxes to bid;
"He couldn't provide a trireme if he tried;" he implores us his state to behold.
