_B._ Did you see any of those perjurers and assassins He told us of? _X._ Aye,--lots. (_Looking round at the audience._) I see ’em now--don’t you? _B._ (_looking round_). To be sure I do, by Neptune! now I see ’em!-- What shall we do? _X._ Go forward, I should say; This is the place where lie those evil beasts-- The monsters that he talked of. _B._ Oh! confound him! He was romancing--trying to frighten me, Knowing how bold I was--jealous, that’s the fact: Never was such a braggart as that Hercules! I only wish I _could_ fall in with something-- Some brave adventure, worthy of my visit. _X._ Stop!--there!--by Jove, I heard a roar out yonder! _B._ (_nervously_). Where, where? _X._ Behind us. _B._ (_pushing himself in front of Xanthias_). Go behind, sir, will you? _X._ No--it’s in front. _B._ (_getting behind Xanthias again_). Why don’t you go in front, then? _X._ Great Jupiter! I see an awful beast! _B._ What like? _X._ Oh--horrible! like everything! Now it’s a bull--and now a stag--and now A beautiful woman! _B._ (_jumping from behind X., and pushing him back_). Where?--Let me go first! _X._ It’s not a woman now--it’s a great dog! _B._ (_in great terror, getting behind X. again_). Oh!--it’s the Empusa![47] _X._ (_getting frightened_). It’s got eyes like fire, And its face all of a blaze! _B._ And one brass leg? _X._ Lawk-a-mercy, yes!--and a cloven foot on the other --It has indeed! _B._ (_looking round in terror_). “Where can I get to--tell me? _X._ “Where can I go? (_runs into a corner._) _B._ (_makes as if he would run into the arms of the Priest of Bacchus, who had a seat of honour in the front row._) Good priest, protect me!--take me home to supper![48] _X._ (_from his corner_). We’re lost--we’re lost! O Hercules, dear master! _B._ (_in a frightened whisper_). Don’t call me by that name, you fool--don’t, don’t! _X._ Well,--Bacchus, must I say? _B._ No-o!--that’s worse still! _X._ (_to something in the distance_). Avaunt, there! go thy ways! (_Joyfully._) Here, master! here! _B._ What is it? _X._ Hurrah! take heart! we’ve had the greatest luck-- We can say now, in our great poet’s words,-- “After a storm there comes a calm.”--It’s gone! _B._ Upon your oath? _X._ Upon my oath. _B._ You swear it? _X._ I swear it. _B._ Swear again. _X._ I swear--by Jupiter.