MELITUS: Agreed. No one can hear us here. I know that you are a fraud. You don't look on me as an honest man. I cannot injure you because you are a high priest. You cannot ruin me because I am the leading judge, But Socrates could hurt either of us by unmasking us. You and I must begin by compassing his death and then we will see how we can exterminate each other at the first opportunity.
ANITUS:
No one could say it better.
(Aside) Hum! How I'd like to hold this rascal from the Areopagus on an altar, arms hanging on one side, legs over the other, so as to open his stomach with my golden knife and consult his liver at my ease.
MELITUS: (aside) Will I ever get this gallows bird of a High Priest in jail and make him drink a pint of Hemlock at my pleasure?
ANITUS: There now, my dear chap, there are your comrades who are coming forward. I've prepared the mood of the people.
MELITUS: Very fine, my dear ally. Count on me as yourself at this moment. But the grudge still remains.
(Some judges pass through the porticoes. Anitus whispers in Melitus' ear.)
DRIXA, TERPANDRE, ACROS: Justice! Justice! Scandal, impiety! Justice, justice! Irreligion, impiety! Justice!
ANITUS:
What's all this, my friends? Of what are you complaining?
DRIXA, TERPANDRE, ACROS:
Justice! In the name of the people.