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64 upon the aerial journey of Bellerophon on Pegasus, as represented in one of the popular tragedies of Euripides; and Trygæus addresses his strange steed as his "little Pegasus" accordingly. Mounted in this strange fashion, to the great alarm of his two daughters, he makes his appearance on the stage, and is raised bodily through the air, with many soothing speeches to the beetle, and a private "aside" to the machinist of the theatre to take great care of him, lest like his predecessor Bellerophon he should fall down and break his leg, and so furnish Euripides with another crippled hero for a tragedy. By some change of scenery he is next represented as having reached the door of Jupiter's palace, where Mercury, as the servant in waiting, comes out to answer his knock.

Mercury (looks round and sniffs). What's this I smell—a mortal?

(Sees Trygæus on his beetle.) O, great Hercules!

What horrible beast is this?

Tryg. A beetle-horse.

Merc. O you abominable, impudent, shameless beast!

You cursed, cursed, thrice accursed sinner!

How came you up here? what business have you here?

O you abomination of abominations,

Speak—what's your name? D'ye hear?

Tryg. Abomination.

Merc. What place d'ye come from?

Tryg. From Abomination.

Merc. (rather puzzled). Eh?—what's your father's name?

Tryg. Abomination.

Merc. (in a fury). Look here now,—by the Earth, you die this minute,

Unless you tell me your accursed name.