58
ARISTOPHANES' FROGS
Xanthias.
What about muttering as you go outside
After a whacking?
Aeacus.
Yes; I like that too.
Xanthias. (with increasing excitement)
And prying into people's secrets, eh?
Aeacus (the same).
By Zeus, there'^s nothing like it in the world!
Xanthias.
Oh, Zeus makes brethren meet!—And what of list'ning
To what the masters say?
Aeacus.
It makes me mad!
Xanthias.
And telling every word of it to strangers?
Aeacus.
Madder than mad, stark staring crimson madder!
Xanthias.
O Lord Apollo, clap your right hand there,
Give me your cheek to kiss, and you kiss me!
[They embrace; a loud noise is heard inside the house.
But Zeus!—our own Zeus of the Friendly Jailbirds—
What is that noise . . . those shouts and quarrelling . . .
Inside?
