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279 THE BIRDS 279

Hercules. That makes no difference ; or if it does, It makes me long to throttle him the more.

Peisthetairus [very busy, affecting not to see them.~ Give me the Silphium spice. Where 's the cheese-grater ? Bring cheese here, somebody ! Mend the charcoal fire. Hercules. Mortal, we greet you and hail you ! Three of us — 25

Three deities.

Peisthetahms [without looking up. But I 'm en- gaged at present ; A little busy, you see, mixing my sauce.

Hercules. Why sure ! How can it be ? what dish is this ? Birds seemingly ! ^

Peisthetairus [without looking up Some indi- vidual birds, Opposed to the popular democratic birds, so

Rendered themselves obnoxious.

Hercules. So, you 've plucked them,

And put them into sauce, provisionally f

Peisthetairus [looking ujj]. Oh! bless me, Her- cules, I 'm quite glad to see you. What brings you here ?

Hercules. We 're come upon an embassy

From heaven, to put an end to this same war. ... 3.5

Servant [to Peisthetairus]. The cruet 's empty,

our oil is out. Peisthetairus. No matter,

Fetch more, fetch plenty, I tell ye. We shall want it. Hercules. For, in fact, it brings no benefit to us,

^ Hercules was proverbially a gonnnand. It is through this weak- ness that Peisthetairus wins him over to his side.