MAID Baked mighty loaves, boiled two or three tureens Of lentil soup, roasted a prime ox whole, Made rolls and honey-cakes, So come along.
XANTHIAS (Declining.) You are too kind.
MAID I will not let you go. I will not let you! Why, she’s stewing slices Of juicy bird’s-flesh, and she’s making comfits, And tempering down her richest wine. Come, dear, Come along in.
XANTHIAS (still declining.) Pray thank her.
MAID O you’re jesting, I shall not let you off: there’s such a lovely Flute-girl all ready, and we’ve two or three Dancing-girls also.
XANTHIAS Eh! what! Dancing girls?
MAID Young budding virgins, freshly tired and trimmed. Come, dear, come in. The cook was dishing up The cutlets, and they are bringing in the tables.
XANTHIAS Then go you in, and tell those dancing-girls Of whom you spake, I’m coming in Myself. Pick up the traps, my lad, and follow me.
DIONYSUS Hi! stop! you’re not in earnest, just because
DIONYSUS I dressed you up, in fun, as Heracles? Come, don’t keep fooling, Xanthias, but lift And carry in the traps yourself.
XANTHIAS Why! what! You are never going to strip me of these togs You gave me!
DIONYSUS Going to? No, I’m doing it now. Off with that lion-skin.
XANTHIAS Bear witness all, The gods shall judge between us.
DIONYSUS Gods, indeed! Why, how could you (the vain and foolish thought!) A slave, a mortal, act Alemena’s son?
XANTHIAS All right then, take them; maybe, if God will, You’ll soon require my services again.
CHORUS This is the part of a dexterous clever Man with his wits about him ever, One who has travelled the world to see; Always to shift, and to keep through all Close to the sunny side of the wall; Not like a pictured block to be,
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