TRYGAEUS. Then go for the sheep and haste to bring it back with you; I will prepare the altar for the sacrifice. CHORUS. How everything succeeds to our wish, when the gods are willing and Fortune favours us! how opportunely everything falls out. TRYGAEUS. Nothing could be truer, for look! here stands the altar all ready at my door. CHORUS. Hurry, hurry, for the winds are fickle; make haste, while the divine will is set on stopping this cruel war and is showering on us the most striking benefits. TRYGAEUS. Here is the basket of barley-seed mingled with salt, the chaplet and the sacred knife; and there is the fire; so we are only waiting for the sheep. CHORUS. Hasten, hasten, for, if Chaeris sees you, he will come without bidding, he and his flute; and when you see him puffing and panting and out of breath, you will have to give him something. TRYGAEUS. Come, seize the basket and take the lustral water and hurry to circle round the altar to the right. SERVANT. There! 'tis done. What is your next bidding? TRYGAEUS. Hold! I take this fire-brand first and plunge it into the water. SERVANT. Be quick! be quick! Sprinkle the altar. TRYGAEUS. Give me some barley-seed, purify yourself and hand me the basin; then scatter the rest of the barley among the audience. SERVANT. 'Tis done. TRYGAEUS. You have thrown it? SERVANT. Yes, by Hermes! and all the spectators have had their share. TRYGAEUS. But not the women? SERVANT. Oh! their husbands will give it them this evening.[358] TRYGAEUS. Let us pray! Who is here? Are there any good men?[359] SERVANT. Come, give, so that I may sprinkle these. Faith! they are indeed good, brave men. TRYGAEUS. You believe so? SERVANT. I am sure, and the proof of it is that we have flooded them with lustral water and they have not budged an inch.[360] TRYGAEUS. Come then, to prayers; to prayers, quick!--Oh! Peace, mighty queen, venerated goddess, thou, who presidest over choruses and at nuptials, deign to accept the sacrifices we offer thee. SERVANT. Receive it, greatly honoured mistress, and behave not like the coquettes, who half open the door to entice the gallants, draw back when they are stared at, to return once more if a man passes on. But do not act like this to us.