33–36
ZEUS
Then what else remains to be done, gods, except to stoop over and listen to them? So let the Hours remove the bar now, drive the clouds away and throw open the gates of Heaven.
Heracles! what a crowd has come together to listen! ‘Timocles himself does not please me at all, for he is trembling and confused. The fellow will spoil it all to-day; in fact, it is clear that he won’t even be able to square off at Danis. But let’s do the very utmost that we can and pray for him, Silently, each to himself, so that Damis may not be the wiser.A parody on Iliad 7, 195.
TIMOCLES
At this point the scene becomes double; down below are the philosophers disputing in the Stoa, and up above are the gods, listening eagerly with occasional comments. Damis, you sacrilegious wretch, why do you say that the gods do not exist and do not show providence in behalf of men?
DAMIS
No, you tell me first what reason you have for believing that they do exist.
TIMOCLES
No, you tell me, you miscreant!
ZEUS
So far our man is much better and more noisy in his bullying. Good, Timocles! Pile on your abuse; that is your strong point, for in everything else he will make you as mute as a fish.
5
TIMOCLES
But I swear by Athena that I will not answer you first.
DAMIS
Well then, put your question, Timocles, for you have won with that oath of yours. But no abuse, please.
TIMOCLES
Very well. Tell me then, you scoundrel, don’t you think the gods exercise any providence?
TIMOCLES
What’s that you say? Then is all that we see about us uncared for by any providence?
