WAR
Well?

TUMULT (WHO HAS RETURNED)
Well, what?

WAR
You have brought back nothing?

TUMULT
Alas! the Athenians have lost their pestle--the tanner, who ground Greece
to powder.[1]

f[1] Cleon, who had lately fallen before Amphipolis, in 422 B.C.

TRYGAEUS
Oh! Athene, venerable mistress! 'tis well for our city he is dead,
and before he could serve us with this hash.

WAR
Then go and seek one at Sparta and have done with it!

TUMULT
Aye, aye, master!

WAR
Be back as quick as ever you can.

TRYGAEUS (TO THE AUDIENCE)
What is going to happen, friends? 'Tis the critical hour. Ah! if there