DIONYSUS. It has sunk into my shoes with fear. (_Takes his slave's hand holding the sponge, and applies it to his bottom._) XANTHIAS. Oh! you most cowardly of gods and men! DIONYSUS. What! I cowardly? I, who have asked you for a sponge! 'Tis what no one else would have done. XANTHIAS. How so? DIONYSUS. A poltroon would have fallen backwards, being overcome with the fumes; as for me, I got up and moreover I wiped myself clean. XANTHIAS. Ah! by Posidon! a wonderful feat of intrepidity! DIONYSUS. Aye, certainly. And you did not tremble at the sound of his threatening words? XANTHIAS. They never troubled me. DIONYSUS. Well then, since you are so brave and fearless, become what I am, take this bludgeon and this lion's hide, you, whose heart has no knowledge of fear; I, in return, will carry the baggage. XANTHIAS. Here, take it, take it quick! 'this my duty to obey you, and behold, Heracles-Xanthias! Do I look like a coward of your kidney? DIONYSUS. No. You are the exact image of the god of Melité,[441] dressed up as a rascal. Come, I will take the baggage. FEMALE ATTENDANT OF PERSEPHONÉ. Ah! is it you then, beloved Heracles? Come in. As soon as ever the goddess, my mistress Persephoné, knew of your arrival, she quickly had the bread into the oven and clapped two or three pots of bruised peas upon the fire; she has had a whole bullock roasted and both cakes and rolled backed. Come in quick! XANTHIAS. No, thank you. ATTENDANT. Oh! by Apollo! I shall not let you off. She has also had poultry boiled for you, sweetmeats makes, and has prepared you some delicious wine. Come then, enter with me. XANTHIAS. I am much obliged. ATTENDANT. Are you mad? I will not let you go. There is likewise and enchanted flute-girl specially for you, and two or three dancing wenches. XANTHIAS. What do you say? Dancing wenches? ATTENDANT. In the prime of their life and all freshly depilated. Come, enter, for the cook was going to take the fish off the fire and the table was being spread. XANTHIAS. Very well then! Run in quickly and tell the dancing-girls I am coming. Slave! pick up the baggage and follow me. DIONYSUS. Not so fast! Oh! indeed! I disguise you as Heracles for a joke and you take the thing seriously! None of your nonsense, Xanthias! Take back the baggage. XANTHIAS. What? You are not thinking of taking back what you gave me yourself? DIONYSUS. No, I don't think about it; I do it. Off with that skin! XANTHIAS. Witness how i am treated, ye great dogs, and be my judges! DIONYSUS. What gods? Are you so stupid, such a fool? How can you, a slave and a mortal, be the son of Alcmena? XANTHIAS. Come then! 'tis well! take them. But perhaps you will be needing me one day, an it please the gods.