Page:The Eleven Comedies (1912) Vol 1.djvu/178

174

Well, what?

You have brought back nothing?

Alas! the Athenians have lost their pestle—the tanner, who ground Greece to powder.

Oh! Athené, venerable mistress! ’tis well for our city he is dead, and before he could serve us with this hash.

Then go and seek one at Sparta and have done with it!

Aye, aye, master!

Be back as quick as ever you can.

What is going to happen, friends? ’Tis a critical hour. Ah! if there is some initiate of Samothrace among you, ’tis surely the moment to wish this messenger some accident—some sprain or strain.

Alas! alas! thrice again, alas!

What is it? Again you come back without it?