ARISTOPHANES' FROGS
39
Dionysus.
But I feel
Faint.—Put a cold wet sponge against my heart.
Xanthias (producing a sponge).
There; you apply it.
Dionysus.
Thanks. Where is it?
Xanthias.
There.
[Dionysus takes and applies it.
Ye golden gods, is it there you keep your heart?
Dionysus.
The nervous shock made it go down and down!
Xanthias.
You are the greatest coward I ever saw,
Of gods or humans!
Dionysus.
I a coward?—I had
The presence of mind to ask you for a sponge.
Few had done more!
Xanthias.
Could any one do less?
Dionysus.
A coward would still be flat there, sniffing salts;
I rose, called for a sponge, and used the sponge.
Xanthias.
That was brave, by Poseidon!
