C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Honor to Home Talent

By Eupolis (c. 446–411 B.C.)

Our single citation from Eupolis again illustrates the freedom with which the poets assailed each other, especially in the ‘Parabasis,’ or interlude where they spoke in their own proper character. This passage is supposed to be aimed at Aristophanes, as a poet not born in Athens. Eupolis’s quotation from his rival was probably accompanied by a gesture, pointing out Aristophanes in the audience.

FIRST I ask in my defense:

How have you been taught to think the foreign poets masters all?

But if any native-born, and noway less than they in wit,

Undertake the poet’s craft, and hope to win himself a prize,

“He is mad and frenzied in his mind!” so run thy words!

Hearken unto me, my people. Change your feeling. Grudge it not

If a youth, one of yourselves, shall take delight in poesy.

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