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274 274 ARISTOPHANES

With their hard hatchet beaks, and such a din, Such a clatter, as they made, hammering and hack- ing, In a perpetual peal, pelting away Like shipwrights, hard at work in the arsenal.

And now their work is finished, gates and all, so Staples and bolts, and bars and everything ; The sentries at their posts ; patrols appointed ; The watchmen in the barbican ; the beacons Ready prepared for lighting ; all their signals Arranged — but I '11 step out, just for a moment, 55 To wash my hands. You '11 settle all the rest.

The Visit of Prometheus. Prometheus. Peisthetairus. Chorus.

Prometheus jenters muffled up^peejjing about him with a look of anxiety and suspicion']. Ο dear ! If Jupiter should chance to see me ! Where 's Peisthetairus ? Where ?

Peisthetairus. Why, what 's all this ?

This fellow muffled up ?

Prometheus. Do look behind me j

Is anybody watching ? any gods Following and spying after me ?

Peisthetairus. No, none, 5

None that I can see, there 's nobody. But you ! What are ye ?

Prometheus. Tell me, what 's the time of day ?

Peisthetairus. Why, noon, past noon ; but tell me, who are ye ? Speak.

Prometheus. Much past, — how much ?

Peisthetaimts [aside]. Confound the fool, I say. The insufferable blockhead !