“There is only one promise, and one God.”
“Perhaps it is the same promise, and the same God.”
“Perhaps Israel will conquer through Rome.”
“Israel will conquer through the promised Messiah.”
“When will Messiah come, then?”
“When the time is fulfilled, when Zeus is dead.”
“May we live to see it. I wait, for Zeus has gone to Rome, and is called there Jupiter Capitolinus.”
Aristophanes, who was easily recognised by his crane-like neck and open mouth, looked in through the window.
“Have you a pair of low shoes, Kartaphalos? A pair of ‘socks’? [Footnote: a low-heeled shoe worn by comic actors.] You have plenty of cothurns, I see, but the ‘sock’ has won the day.”
“At your service, sir.”