DISCIPLE. Why, what are you astonished at? What do you think they resemble?
STREPSIADES. The captives of Pylos.[490] But why do they look so fixedly on the ground?
DISCIPLE. They are seeking for what is below the ground.
STREPSIADES. Ah! 'tis onions they are seeking. Do not give yourselves so much trouble; I know where there are some, fine and large ones. But what are those fellows doing, who are bent all double?
DISCIPLE. They are sounding the abysses of Tartarus.[491]
STREPSIADES. And what is their rump looking at in the heavens?
DISCIPLE. It is studying astronomy on its own account. But come in; so that the master may not find us here.
STREPSIADES. Not yet, not yet; let them not change their position. I want to tell them my own little matter.
DISCIPLE. But they may not stay too long in the open air and away from school.
STREPSIADES. In the name of all the gods, what is that? Tell me. (Pointing to a celestial globe.)
[490] Because of their wretched appearance. The Laconians, blockaded in Sphacteria, had suffered sorely from famine.
[491] In fact, this was one of the chief accusations brought against Socrates by Miletus and Anytus; he was reproached for probing into the mysteries of nature.