MYRRHINÉ. You must be joking! What, before the child! CINESIAS. Manes, carry the lad home. There, you see, the child is gone; there's nothing to hinder us; let us to work! MYRRHINÉ. But, miserable man, where, where are we to do it? CINESIAS. In the cave of Pan; nothing could be better. MYRRHINÉ. But how to purify myself, before going back into the citadel? CINESIAS. Nothing easier! you can wash at the Clepsydra.[448] MYRRHINÉ. But my oath? Do you want me to perjure myself? CINESIAS. I take all responsibility; never make yourself anxious. MYRRHINÉ. Well, I'll be off, then, and find a bed for us. CINESIAS. Oh! 'tis not worth while; we can lie on the ground surely. MYRRHINÉ. No, no! bad man as you are, I don't like your lying on the bare earth. CINESIAS. Ah! how the dear girl loves me! MYRRHINÉ (_coming back with a bed_). Come, get to bed quick; I am going to undress. But, plague take it, we must get a mattress. CINESIAS. A mattress! Oh! no, never mind! MYRRHINÉ. No, by Artemis! lie on the bare sacking, never! That were too squalid. CINESIAS. A kiss! MYRRHINÉ. Wait a minute! CINESIAS. Oh! by the great gods, be quick back! MYRRHINÉ (_coming back with a mattress_). Here is a mattress. Lie down, I am just going to undress. But, but you've got no pillow. CINESIAS. I don't want one, no, no. MYRRHINÉ. But _I_ do. CINESIAS. Oh! dear, oh, dear! they treat my poor penis for all the world like Heracles.[449] MYRRHINÉ (_coming back with a pillow_). There, lift your head, dear! CINESIAS. That's really everything. MYRRHINÉ. Is it everything, I wonder. CINESIAS. Come, my treasure. MYRRHINÉ. I am just unfastening my girdle. But remember what you promised me about making Peace; mind you keep your word. CINESIAS. Yes, yes, upon my life I will. MYRRHINÉ. Why, you have no blanket. CINESIAS. Great Zeus! what matter of that? 'tis you I want to fuck. MYRRHINÉ Never fear--directly, directly! I'll be back in no time. CINESIAS. The woman will kill me with her blankets! MYRRHINÉ (_coming back with a blanket_). Now, get up for one moment. CINESIAS. But I tell you, our friend here is up--all stiff and ready! MYRRHINÉ. Would you like me to scent you? CINESIAS. No, by Apollo, no, please! MYRRHINÉ. Yes, by Aphrodité, but I will, whether you wish it or no. CINESIAS. Ah! great Zeus, may she soon be done! MYRRHINÉ (_coming back with a flask of perfume_). Hold out your hand; now rub it in. CINESIAS. Oh! in Apollo's name, I don't much like the smell of it; but perhaps 'twill improve when it's well rubbed in. It does not somehow smack of the marriage bed! MYRRHINÉ. There, what a scatterbrain I am; if I have not brought Rhodian perfumes![450] CINESIAS. Never mind, dearest, let be now. MYRRHINÉ. You are joking! CINESIAS. Deuce take the man who first invented perfumes, say I! MYRRHINÉ (_coming back with another flask_). Here, take this bottle.