Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/61

Rh Theb. As Iolaus shall help me, that's well done,

Friend, and I thank you;—coming out of Thebes,

They blew me away the blossom of all these herbs.

You've sarved 'em right. So now would you please to buy,

What likes you best, of all my chaffer here;

All kinds, four-footed things and feathered fowl. Dic. (suddenly, with the common trick of condescension, as if he

had not observed him before).

My little tight Bœotian! Welcome kindly,

My little pudding-eater! What have you brought? Theb. In a manner, everything, as a body may say;

All the good cheer of Thebes, and the primest wares,

Mats, trefoil, wicks for lamps, sweet marjoram,

Coots, didappers, and water-hens—what not?

Widgeon and teal. Dic. Why, you're come here amongst us,

Like a north wind in winter, with your wild fowl. Theb. Moreover I've brought geese, and hares moreover,

And eels from the lake Copais, which is more. Dic. Ο thou bestower of the best spichcocks

That ever yet were given to mortal man,

Permit me to salute those charming eels. Theb. (addressing the eel, and delivering it to Dicæopolis).

Daughter, come forth, and greet the courteous stranger,

First-born of fifty damsels of the lake! Dic. Ο long regretted and recovered late,

Welcome, thrice welcome to the Comic Choir;

Welcome to me, to Morychus, and all.

(Ye slaves prepare the chafing dish and stove.)

Children, behold her here, the best of eels,

The loveliest and the best, at length returned

After six years of absence. I myself

Will furnish you with charcoal for her sake.

Salute her with respect, and wait upon

Her entrance there within, with due conveyance

[The eel is here carried off by Dicæopolis 's servants.

Grant me, ye Gods! so to possess thee still,

While my life lasts, and at my latest hour,