4–11
DROSIS
Just what I thought. In any case I’m dying of love. But Dromo said that Aristaenetus is the sort who’s fond of boys, and, by pretending to teach them, keeps company with the handsomest youths, and has now got Clinias on his own, and spins him tales, promising of all things that he will make him like a god. Besides that, he’s reading with him amorous discourses addressed by the old Philosophers to their pupils, and is all wrapped up in the lad. Dromo threatened he’d tell Clinias’ father as well.
CHELIDONIUM
I hope, Drosis, you gave Dromo a good feed.
DROSIS
That I did, though he’ll do anything for me, even without that; he’s another who is desperate for the love of Nebris.
5
CHELIDONIUM
Don’t worry. Everything will be all right. I think I’ll write up on the wall in the Ceramicus, where Architeles often takes a walk, “Aristaenetus is corrupting Clinias”, so that we can charge There is a pun here on Δρόμων ( = runner) and συνδραμεῖν. By a closer translation of the pun (involving, however, change of the Greek name Dromo) one might render “so that Swift’s charge may have our swift support’”. to the swift support of Dromo’s charge.
DROSIS
How can you write it up without being seen?
CHELIDONIUM
By night, my dear. I’ll get a bit of charcoal somewhere.
DROSIS
Capital, Chelidonium. If only you can help me fight that old impostor Aristaenetus!
