MYRRHINE

Take away your hands.

CINESIAS

Everything in the house Is being ruined.

MYRRHINE

I don't care at all.

CINESIAS

The roosters are picking all your web to rags.

Do you mind that?

MYRRHINE

Not I.

CINESIAS

What time we've wasted We might have drenched with Paphian laughter, flung On Aphrodite's Mysteries. O come here.

MYRRHINE

Not till a treaty finishes the war.

CINESIAS

If you must have it, then we'll get it done.

MYRRHINE

Do it and I'll come home. Till then I am bound.

CINESIAS

Well, can't your oath perhaps be got around?

MYRRHINE

No ... no ... still I'll not say that I don't love you.

CINESIAS

You love me! Then dear girl, let me also love you.

MYRRHINE

You must be joking. The boy's looking on.

CINESIAS

Here, Manes, take the child home!... There, he's gone.

There's nothing in the way now. Come to the point.

MYRRHINE

Here in the open! In plain sight?

CINESIAS

In Pan's cave.

A splendid place.

MYRRHINE

Where shall I dress my hair again Before returning to the citadel?

CINESIAS

You can easily primp yourself in the Clepsydra.

MYRRHINE

But how can I break my oath?

CINESIAS

Leave that to me, I'll take all risk.

MYRRHINE

Well, I'll make you comfortable.

CINESIAS

Don't worry. I'd as soon lie on the gra.s.s.

MYRRHINE

No, by Apollo, in spite of all your faults I won't have you lying on the nasty earth.

(_From here MYRRHINE keeps on going off to fetch things._)

CINESIAS

Ah, how she loves me.