Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/85

Rh Nic. (pettishly and whining). Why poorly enough; And so are you for that matter. [Nicias continues writhing and moaning. Dem. (as if speaking to a child that had hurt himself). Well, come here then! Come, and we'll cry together, both of us, We'll sing it to Olympus's old tune. Both. (Demosthenes accompanies Nicias's involuntary sobs, so as to make a tune of them.) Mo moo momoo—momoo momoo—Momoo momoo. Dem. (suddenly and heartily). Come, grief's no use—It's folly to keep crying. Let's look about us a bit, what's best to be done. Nic. (recovering himself). Aye, tell me; what do you think? Dem. No, you tell me— Lest we should disagree. Nic. That's what I won't! Do you speak boldly first, and I'll speak next. Dem. (significantly, as quoting a well-known verse). "You first might utter, what I wish to tell." Nic. Aye, but I'm so down-hearted, I've not spirit To bring about the avowal cleverly, In Euripides's style, by question and answer. Dem. Well, then, don't talk of Euripides any more, Or his mother either; don't stand picking endive: But think of something in another style, To the tune of "Trip and away." Nic. Yes, I'll contrive it: Say "Let us" first; put the first letter to it, And then the last, and then put E, R, T. "Let us Az ert." I say, "Let us Azert."