himself named on the embassy, to the considerable disgust of Neptune, who has much trouble in making him look at all respectable and presentable.
"Nep. There's Nephelococcugia! that's the town,
The point we're bound to with our embassy.
But you! what a figure have ye made yourself!
What a way to wear a mantle! slouching off
From the left shoulder! Hitch it round, I tell ye,
On the right side. For shame—come—so; that's better;
These folds, too, bundled up; there, throw them round
Even and easy,—so. Why, you're a savage,
A natural-born savage.—Oh, democracy!
What will it bring us to, when such a ruffian
Is voted into an embassy!
Trib. (to Neptune, who is pulling his dress about). Come,
hands off.
Hands off!
Nep. Keep quiet, I tell ye, and hold your tongue,
For a very beast! in all my life in heaven,
I never saw such another. Hercules,
I say, what shall we do? What should you think?
Her. What would I do? what do I think? I've told you
Already—I think to throttle him—the fellow,
Whoever he is, that's keeping us blockaded.
Nep. Yes, my good friend; but we were sent, you know,
To treat for a peace. Our embassy is for peace.
Her. That makes no difference; or if it does,
It makes me long to throttle him all the more."—(F.)
Hercules, ravenous as he always is, and having been kept for some time on very short commons, is won over by the rich odour of some cookery in which he
