Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/327

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Socrates.
293

ANITUS.

He is so; but he is still a greater enemy to Socrates; 'tis a rascally hypocrite who supports the rights of the Areopagus against me: but we always hold together when our mutual interest and business is to destroy these pretended wise men, who want to open the eyes of people on our conduct: hearken, my dear Drixa, you are a devotee.

DRIXA.

Certainly, my lord, I love money, and I love pleasure with all my soul, but in matters of devotion I yield to none.

ANITUS.

Go then immediately, and get together as many bawling enthusiasts as you can, and cry out, impiety! impiety.

TERPANDER.

Is there anything to be got by it? if there is, we are all ready.

ACROS.

Ay, ay, that we are; but what sort of impiety?

ANITUS.

O every kind: however, we had best accuse him at once of not believing in the gods; that's the shortest way.

DRIXA.

O let me alone then.

ANITUS.

You shall be well supported; go, and stir up your friends under the portico: I'll inform meantime some of my news-loving friends of it, who come