Impossible, officer; good evening.

SCYTHIAN
Oh! oh! old woman, do me this pleasure.

EURIPIDES
Will you give a drachma?

SCYTHIAN
Aye, that I will.

EURIPIDES
Hand over the money.

SCYTHIAN
I have not got it, but take my quiver in pledge. I'll bring her

back. (To the dancing girl) Follow me, my fine young wench. Old woman,
you keep an eye on this man. But what's your name?

EURIPIDES
Artemisia.

SCYTHIAN
I'll remember it, Artemuxia.

(He takes the dancing girl away.)
EURIPIDES (aside)

Hermes, god of cunning, receive my thanks! everything is turning
out for the best. (To the flute-girl) As for you, friend, go along

with them. Now let me loose his bonds. (To MNESILOCHUS) And you,
directly I have released you, take to your legs and run off full

tilt to your home to find your wife and children.
MNESILOCHUS

I shall not fail in that as soon as I am free.
EURIPIDES (releasing MNESILOCHUS)

There! It's done. Come, fly, before the Scythian lays his hand
on you again.

MNESILOCHUS
That's just what I am doing.

(Both depart in haste.)
SCYTHIAN (returning)

Ah! old woman! what a charming little girl! Not at all a prude,
and so obliging! Eh! where is the old woman? Ah! I am undone! And

the old man, where is he? Hi, old woman, old woman Ah! Ah! but this is
a dirty trick! Artemuxia! she has tricked me, that's what the little

old woman has done! Get clean out of my sight, you cursed quiver!
(Picks it up and throws it across the stage.) Ha! you are well named

quiver, for you have made me quiver indeed. Oh! what's to be done?
Where is the old woman then? Artemuxia!

LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Are you asking for the old woman who carried the lyre?

SCYTHIAN
Yes, yes; have you seen her?

LEADER OF THE CHORUS
She has gone that way along with the old man.

SCYTHIAN
Dressed in a long robe?

LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Yes; run quick, and you will overtake them.

SCYTHIAN
Ah! rascally old woman! Which way has she fled? Artemuxia!

LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Straight on; follow your nose. But, hi! where are you running to

now? Come back, you are going exactly the wrong way.
SCYTHIAN

Ye gods! ye gods! and all this while Artemuxia is escaping.
(He runs off.)

LEADER OF THE CHORUS
Go your way! and a pleasant journey to you! But our sports have

lasted long enough; it is time for each of us to be off home; and
may the two goddesses reward us for our labours!

THE END
.

• quiver [´kwivə] v.抖动 n.颤动(声) (初中英语单词)
• pledge [pledʒ] n.信物；誓约vt.使发誓 (初中英语单词)
• cunning [´kʌniŋ] a.&n.狡猾(诡诈)的 (初中英语单词)
• charming [´tʃɑ:miŋ] a.可爱的；极好的 (初中英语单词)
• running [´rʌniŋ] a.奔跑的；流动的 (初中英语单词)
• reward [ri´wɔ:d] n.&v.报答；报酬；奖赏 (初中英语单词)
• overtake [,əuvə´teik] vt.追上；赶上 (高中英语单词)