University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Trochilus, Euelpides, Pisthetærus.
Trochilus.
Who's there? Who's he, that bawls out on my master?

Euelpides.
Phœbus Averter! what a yawn was there!

Trochilus.
Wretch that I am! two bird-catchers are these.

Euelpides.
Oh horrible! mention not such a thing.

Trochilus.
Curse on ye!

Euelpides.
Yet we are not men.

Trochilus.
What then?

Euelpides.
I am a bird from Libya, call'd the Fearling.

Trochilus.
Nay, nay, thou triflest.

Euelpides.
Ask then what's before thee.

Trochilus.
And he, what bird is he? Wilt thou not tell?

Pisthetærus.
I am the Dropling, a Phasianic fowl.

Euelpides.
But thou, what beast art thou, by all the Gods?

Trochilus.
I am a slave-bird.

Euelpides.
What! hast thou been worsted
By some game-cock in battle?

Trochilus.
No: but when
My master was made Epops, he did wish
Me too to be transfigur'd to a bird,
That he might have me for his pursuivant, and still
To serve him.

Euelpides.
Wants a bird then one to serve him?

Trochilus.
He, having been formerly a man, will sometimes
Long for a meal of Phaleric anchovies:
Then straight a dish take I, and run to fetch them.
Does he lack porridge? He must have his pot
And ladle; so I run to fetch his ladle.

Euelpides.
This is the Trochilus bird, I see. Dost know then,
Good Trochilus, what to do for us? Call out
Thy master, that we may speak with him forthwith.

Trochilus.
By Jove, he is this instant fall'n asleep,
After his dinner of gnats and myrtle berries.

Euelpides.
No matter: wake him.

Trochilus.
He'll be finely fretted,
I am sure of that: but to please you I'll wake him.
[Exit Trochilus.

Euelpides.
Alas! Alas! the jackdaw in my terror
Has given me the slip.

Pisthetærus.
Thou cowardly beast,
Hast thou let go the jackdaw in thy fright?

Euelpides.
And tell me did not you let loose the raven
When you slipp'd down but now?

Pisthetærus.
Not I, by Jove.

Euelpides.
Where is he then?

Pisthetærus.
O he has flown away.

Euelpides.
What? so you did not loose him? You're a brave one.