PRIEST O tell me, where may Chremylus be found?
CHREMYLUS What cheer, my worthy fellow?
PRIEST What but ill? For ever since this Wealth began to see, I’m downright famished, I’ve got nought to eat, And that, although I’m Zeus the Saviour’s priest.
CHREMYLUS O, by the Powers, and what’s the cause of that?
PRIEST No man will slay a victim now.
CHREMYLUS Why not?
PRIEST Because they all are wealthy; yet before, When men had nothing, one, a merchant saved From voyage-perils, one, escaped from law, Would come and sacrifice; or else at home Perform his vows, and summon me, the priest. But not a soul comes now, or body either, Except a lot of chaps to do their needs.
CHREMYLUS Then don’t you take your wonted toll of that?
PRIEST So I’ve myself a mind to cut the service Of Zeus the Saviour now, and settle here.
CHREMYLUS Courage! God willing, all will yet be well. For Zeus the Saviour is himself within, Coming unasked.
PRIEST O, excellent good news!
CHREMYLUS So we’ll at once install—but bide awhile— Wealth in the place where he was erst installed, Guarding the Treasury in Athene’s Temple. Hi! bring me lighted candles. Take them, you, And march before the God.
PRIEST With all my heart.
CHREMYLUS Call Wealth out, somebody.
OLD LADY And I?
CHREMYLUS O, you. Here, balance me these installation pots Upon your head, and march along in state. You’ve got your festive robes at all events.
OLD LADY But what I came for?
CHREMYLUS Everything is right. The lad you love shall visit you to-night.
OLD LADY O, if you pledge your honour that my boy Will come to-night, I’ll bear the pots with joy.
CHREMYLUS These pots are not like other pots at all. In other pots the mother is atop, But here the mother’s underneath the pot.
CHORUS ’Tis the end of the Play, and we too must delay our departure no longer, but hasten away, And follow along at the rear of the throng, rejoicing and singing our festival song.
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