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Innkeeper and Masters Excuse us, madam, and gentlemen, but have you come across a company of three rascals conducting a woman—a very masculine-looking female, with hair cut short in the Spartan fashion?
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Philosophy Ha! the very people we are looking for!
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Masters Indeed, madam? But these are three runaway slaves. The woman was kidnapped by them, and we want to get her back.
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Hera Our business with them I will tell you afterwards, For the present, let us make a joint proclamation.
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Disappeared A Paphlagonian slave, formerly of Sinope. Any person giving information as to his whereabouts will be rewarded; the amount of the reward to be fixed by the informant. Description. Name: begins with CTE. Complexion: sallow. Hair: close-cropped, with long beard. Dress; a coarse cloak with wallet. Temper: bad. Education: none. Voice: harsh. Manner: offensive.
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First Master Why, what is all this about? His name used to be Cantharus when he was with me. He had long hair, and no beard, and was apprenticed to my trade; I am a fuller, and he was in my shop, dressing cloth.
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Philosophy Yes, it is the same; but he has dressed to some purpose this time, and has become a philosopher.
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First Master Cantharus a philosopher! I like that. And where do I come in?
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Second and Third Masters. Oh well, we shall get them all now. This lady knows all about them, it seems.
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Philosophy Heracles, who is this comely person with a lyre?
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Hera It is Orpheus. I was on the Argo with him. He was the best of boatswains; it was quite a pleasure to row to his singing. Welcome, my musical friend: you have not forgotten Heracles, I hope?
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Orpheus And welcome to all of you, Philosophy, Heracles, Hermes. I should like my reward, please: I can lay my finger on your man.
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Hera Then show us the way. It is useless, of course, to offer gold to the gifted son of Calliope?
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Orpheus Oh, quite.—I will show you the house, but not the man. His tongue might avenge him; scurrility is his strong point.
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Hera Lead on.
