STREPSIADES Alas! what a calamity! what will become of me? I am undone if I do not learn how to ply my tongue. Oh! Clouds! give me good advice.

CHORUS-LEADER Old man, we counsel you, if you have brought up a son, to send him to learn in your stead.

STREPSIADES Undoubtedly I have a son, as well endowed as the best, but he is unwilling to learn. What will become of me?

CHORUS-LEADER And you don't make him obey you?

STREPSIADES You see, he is big and strong; moreover, through his mother he is a descendant of those fine birds, the race of Coesyra. Nevertheless, I will go and find him, and if he refuses, I will turn him out of the house. Go in, Socrates, and wait for me awhile.

[SOCRATES goes into the Thoughtery, STREPSIADES into his own house.]

CHORUS [singing] Do you understand, Socrates,