a hurdle to gain an obolus.(1)

f(1) i.e. he would recoil from no risk to turn an honest
penny.

HERMES And wise Cratinus,(1) is he still alive?

f(1) A comic poet as well known for his love of wine as for
his writings; he died in 431 B.C., the first year of the
war, at the age of ninety-seven.

TRYGAEUS He died about the time of the Laconian invasion.

HERMES How?

TRYGAEUS Of a swoon. He could not bear the shock of seeing one of his
casks full of wine broken. Ah! what a number of other misfortunes our
city has suffered! So, dearest mistress, nothing can now separate us
from thee.

HERMES If that be so, receive Opora here for a wife; take her to the
country, live with her, and grow fine grapes together.(1)

f(1) Opora was the goddess of fruits.

TRYGAEUS Come, my dear friend, come and accept my kisses. Tell me,
Hermes, my master, do you think it would hurt me to love her a little,
after so long an abstinence?

HERMES No, not if you swallow a potion of penny-royal afterwards.(1) But
hasten to lead Theoria(2) to the Senate; 'twas there she lodged before.

f(1) The scholiast says fruit may be eaten with impunity in
great quantities if care is taken to drink a decoction of
this herb afterwards.

f(2) Theoria is confided to the care of the Senate, because
it was this body who named the deputies appointed to go and
consult the oracles beyond the Attic borders to be present
at feats and games.

TRYGAEUS Oh! fortunate Senate! Thanks to Theoria, what soups you will
swallow for the space of three days!(1) how you will devour meats and
cooked tripe! Come, farewell, friend Hermes!

f(1) The great festivals, e.g. the Dionysia, lasted three
days. Those in honour of the return of Peace, which was so
much desired, could not last a shorter time.

HERMES And to you also, my dear sir, may you have much happiness, and
don't forget me.

TRYGAEUS Come, beetle, home, home, and let us fly on a swift wing.

HERMES Oh! he is no longer here.

TRYGAEUS Where has he gone to then?

HERMES He is harnessed to the chariot of Zeus and bears the thunder
bolts.

TRYGAEUS But where will the poor wretch get his food?

HERMES He will eat Ganymede's ambrosia.

TRYGAEUS Very well then, but how am I going to descend?

HERMES Oh! never fear, there is nothing simpler; place yourself beside
the goddess.

TRYGAEUS Come, my pretty maidens, follow me qu