XANTHIAS A slave, a mortal, act Alemena’s son!
DIONYSUS Aye, aye, I know you are vexed, and I deserve it, And if you pummel me, I won’t complain. But if I strip you of these togs again, Perdition seize myself, my wife, my children, And, most of all, that blear-eyed Archedemus.
XANTHIAS That oath contents me: on those terms I take them.
CHORUS Now that at last you appear once more, Wearing the garb that at first you wore, Wielding the club and the tawny skin, Now it is yours to be up and doing, Glaring like mad, and your youth renewing, Mindful of him whose guise you are in. If, when caught in a bit of a scrape, you Suffer a word of alarm to escape you, Showing yourself but a feckless knave, Then will your master at once undrape you, Then you’ll again be the toiling slave.
XANTHIAS There, I admit, you have given to me a Capital hint, and the like idea, Friends, had occurred to myself before. Truly if anything good befell He would be wanting, I know full well,
XANTHIAS Wanting to take to the togs once more. Nevertheless, while in these I’m vested, Ne’er shall you find me craven-crested, No, for a dittany look I’ll wear, Aye and methinks it will soon be tested, Hark! how the portals are rustling there,
AEACUS Seize the dog-stealer, bind him, pinion him, Drag him to justice!
DIONYSUS Somebody’s going to catch it.
XANTHIAS (Striking out.) Hands off! get away! stand back!
AEACUS Eh? You’re for fighting. Ho! Ditylas, Sceblyas, and Pardocas, Come hither, quick; fight me this sturdy knave.
DIONYSUS Now isn’t it a shame the man should strike And he a thief besides?
AEACUS A monstrous shame!
DIONYSUS A regular burning shame!
XANTHIAS By the Lord Zeus, If ever I was here before, if ever I stole one hair’s-worth from you, let me die! And now I’ll make you a right noble offer, Arrest my lad; torture him as you will,
Cite This Text