Aristophanes

The Frogs Aristophanes

"The Frogs" was produced the year after the death of Euripides, and laments the decay of Greek tragedy which Aristophanes attributed to that writer. It is an admirable example of the brilliance of his style, and of that mingling of wit and poetry with rollicking humor and keen satirical point which is his chief characteristic. Show Excerpt o! ah, no! Loud and louder our chant must flow. Sing if ever ye sang of yore, When in sunny and glorious days Through the rushes and marsh-flags springing On we swept, in the joy of singing Myriad-divine roundelays. Or when fleeing the storm, we went Down to the depths, and our choral song Wildly raised to a loud and long Bubble-bursting accompaniment. FR. and DIO. Brekekekex, ko-ax, ko-ax. DIO. This timing song I take from you. FR. That's a dreadful thing to do. DIO. Much more dreadful, if I row Till I burst myself, I trow. FR. and DIO. Brekekekex, ko-ax, ko-ax. DIO. Go, hang yourselves; for what care I? FR. All the same we'll shout and cry, Stretching all our throats with song, Shouting, crying, all day long. FR. and DIO. Brekekekex, ko-ax, ko-ax. DIO. In this you'll never, never win. FR. This you shall not beat us in. DIO. No, nor ye prevail o'er me. Never! never! I'll my song Shout, if need be, all day long, Until I've learned to