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Rh

"After a storm there comes a calm."—It's gone!

B. Upon your oath?

X. Upon my oath.

B. You swear it?

X. I swear it.

B. Swear again.

X. I swear—by Jupiter.

But now the sound of flutes is heard in the distance, and with music and torches, a festive procession enters the orchestra. A parody of the great Eleusinian mysteries (for even these were lawful game to the comedy-writer) introduces the true Chorus of this play, consisting of the 'Initiated,' who chant an ode, half serious half burlesque, in honour of Bacchus and Ceres. They direct the travellers to the gates of Pluto's palace, which are close at hand. Bacchus eyes the awful portal for some time before he ventures to lift the knocker, and is very anxious to announce himself in the most polite fashion. "How do people knock at doors in these parts, I wonder ?"

"Æac. (from within, with the voice of a royal and infernal porter).

Who's there?

Bac. (with a forced voice). 'Tis I,—the valiant Hercules.

Æac. (coming out). Thou brutal, abominable, detestable,

Vile, villanous, infamous, nefarious scoundrel!

How durst thou, villain as thou wert, to seize

Our watchdog Cerberus, whom I kept and tended,

Hurrying him off half-strangled in your grasp?

But now, be sure, we have you safe and fast,

Miscreant and villain! Thee the Stygian cliffs

With stern adamantine durance, and the rocks