in which stood the statue of Artemis,
which Orestes and Iphigenia had brought from the Tauric
Chersonese and also for the Brauronia, festivals that were
celebrated every four years in honour of the goddess. This
was one of the festivals which the Attic people kept with
the greatest pomp, and was an occasion for debauchery.

SERVANT Ah! you charmer! what pleasure your pretty bottom will afford me
every four years!

TRYGAEUS Let us see, who of you is steady enough to be trusted by the
Senate with the care of this charming wench? Hi! you, friend! what are
you drawing there?

SERVANT I am drawing the plan of the tent I wish to erect for myself on
the isthmus.(1)

f(1) Competitors intending to take part in the great
Olympic, Isthmian and other games took with them a tent,
wherein to camp in the open. Further, there is an obscene
allusion which the actor indicates by a gesture.

TRYGAEUS Come, who wishes to take the charge of her? No one? Come,
Theoria, I am going to lead you into the midst of the spectators and
confide you to their care.

SERVANT Ah! there is one who makes a sign to you.

TRYGAEUS Who is it?

SERVANT 'Tis Ariphrades. He wishes to take her home at once.

TRYGAEUS No, I'm sure he shan't. He would soon have her done for,
absorbing all her life-force. Come, Theoria, put down all this gear.(1)

Senate, Prytanes, look upon Theoria and see what precious blessings
I place in your hands. Hasten to raise its limbs and to immolate the
victim. Admire the fine chimney,(2) it is quite black with smoke, for
'twas here that the Senate did their cooking before the war. Now that
you have found Theoria again, you can start the most charming games from
to-morrow, wrestling with her on the ground, either on your hands and
feet, or you can lay her on her side, or stand before her with bent
knees, or, well rubbed with oil, you can boldly enter the lists, as
in the Pancratium, belabouring your foe with blows from your fist or
otherwise. The next day you will celebrate equestrian games, in which
the riders will ride side by side, or else the chariot teams, thrown one
on top of another, panting and whinnying, will roll and knock against
each other on the ground, while other rivals, thrown out of their
seats, will fall before reaching the goal, utterly exhausted by their
efforts.--Come, Prytanes, take Theoria. Oh! look how graciously yonder
fellow has received her; you would n