Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/473

443 IDYL XV. THE FESTIVAL OF ADONIS 443

ever. They are enough to kill one with their broad lingo, — nothing but «, a, a.

Gorgo. Lord, where does the man come from ? What is it to you if we are chatterboxes ? Order about your own servants ! Do you give orders to Syracusan women ? If you want to know, we came originally from Corinth, as Bellerophon did ; we speak Peloponnesian. I suppose Dorian women may be allowed to have a Dorian accent.

Praxino'e. Ο honey-sweet Proserpine, let us have no more masters than the one we 've got ! ^ We don't the least care for you ; pray don't trouble yourself for nothing.

Gorgo. Be quiet, Praxinoe ! That first-rate singer, the Argive woman's daughter, is going to sing the Adonis hymn. She is the same who was chosen to sing the dirge last year. We are going to have some- thing first-rate from her. She is going through her airs and graces ready to begin.

(^The Hymn to Adonis.)

Gorgo. Praxinoe, certainly women are wonderful things. That lucky woman to know all that ! ^ and luckier still to have such a splendid voice ! And now we must see about getting home. My husband has not had his dinner. That man is all vinegar, and nothing else ; and if you keep him waiting for his dinner he 's dangerous to go near. Adieu, precious Adonis, and may you find us all well when you come next year !

Translated by Matthew Arnold.

^ Ptolemy Philadelphus, the kin^.

^ I. e., to be able to compose such a poem.