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278 278 ARISTOPHANES

Peisthetairus. That 's well, but don't forget the folding chair, For a part of your disguise. Here, take it with you.

The Gods and the Birds make a Truce. Neptune. The Triballian Envoy. Hercules. Neptune. There 's Nephelococcugia, that 's the town, The point we 're bound to, with our embassy.

Turning to the Triballian. But you ! What a figure have ye made yourself ! ΛVhat a way to wear a mantle ! slouching off From the left shoulder ! hitch it round, I tell ye, 5 On the right side. For shame — come — so ; that 's

better, These folds, too, bundled up. There, throw them

round Even and easy — so. Why, you 're a savage, A natural born savage. Oh ! democracy ! What will it bring us to ? ΛVhen such a ruffian 10 Is voted into an embassy !

TrihaUian [to Neptune, ivho is pulling his dress

about^. Come, hands off I Hands off ! Nei^tiine. Keep quiet, I tell ye, and hold your tongue. For a very beast : in all my life in heaven, I never saw such another. — Hercules, i4

I say, what shall we do ? What should you think ? Hercules. What would I do? What do I think? I 've told you Already ... I think to throttle him — the fellow, Whoever he is, that 's keeping us blockaded.^

Neptune. Yes, my good friend ; but we were sent, you know, To treat for a peace. Our embassy is for peace. 20

^ Hercules's instinctive impulse is to use force.