Aeacus.
Thank you, we'll do it here, that you may witness
Exactly what he says. (To Dionysus) Put down your bundle,
And mind you tell the truth.
Dionysus
(who has hitherto been speechless with horror, now bursting out).
I warn all present,
To torture me is an illegal act,
Being immortal! And whoever does so
Must take the consequences.
Aeacus.
Why, who are you?
Dionysus.
The immortal Dionysus, son of Zeus;
And this my slave.
Aeacus (to Xanthias).
You hear his protest?
Xanthias.
All the more reason, that, for whipping him;
If he's a real immortal he won't feel it.
Dionysus.
Well, but you claim to be immortal too;
They ought to give you just the same as me.
Xanthias.
That's fair enough. All right; whichever of us
You first find crying, or the least bit minding
Your whip, you're free to say he's no true god.
