[528] Both sons of Zeus.
[529] Hyperbolus had supported Meton in his desire for reform. Having been sent as the Athenian deputy to the council of the Amphictyons, he should, like his colleagues, have returned to Athens with his head wreathed with laurel. It is said the wind took this from him; the Clouds boast of the achievement.
[530] These are poetical measures; Strepsiades thinks measures of capacity are meant.
[531] Containing four choenixes.
[532] So called from its stirring, warlike character; it was composed of two dactyls and a spondee, followed again by two dactyls and a spondee.
[533] Composed of dactyls and anapaests.
[534] [Greek: Daktylos] means, of course, both dactyl, name of a metrical foot, and finger. Strepsiades presents his middle finger, with the other fingers and thumb bent under in an indecent gesture meant to suggest the penis and testicles. The Romans for this reason called the middle finger 'digitus infamis,' the unseemly finger. The Emperor Nero is said to have offered his hand to courtiers to kiss sometimes in this indecent way.
[535] Meaning he was too poor, Aristophanes represents him as a glutton and a parasite.
[536] A woman's name.
[537] He is classed as a woman because of his cowardice and effeminacy.