Aiakos: Bind this dog-stealer quickly.
605
Aiaos: in order that he may pay the penalty; let it be done.
Dionysus: An evil has come.
Xanthias: Isn't it to the crows? Don't approach.
Aiaikos: Well, shall we fight?
Aiaikos: Ditulas and Skeblyas and Pardokas
Aiaikos: Advance here and fight with him.
Dionysus: Then aren't these terrible things, to beat this man?
610
Dionysus: stealing from other people's property?
Aeacus: But it is a superhuman thing.
Dionysus: So then they are truly shameless and terrible.
Xanthias: And indeed, by Zeus!
Xanthias: If I have ever come here, I want to die,
Xanthias: Or did I steal something of yours worthy even of a hair?
Xanthias: And I will make a very noble deed for you;
615
Xanthias: for having seized this boy, torture him,
Xanthias: And if you should ever catch me doing wrong, kill me while dragging me.
Aiakos: And how shall I torture?
Xanthias: in every way, on a ladder.
Xanthias: having bound and hanged him with a strap, whipping, flogging,
Xanthias: twisting, and yet pouring vinegar into the nostrils,
620
Xanthias: laying on the bricks, everything else, except leeks.
Xanthias: Do not beat this man, nor with a new pot.
Aiaikos: The argument is fair; and even if I should maim one of you.
Aiakos: While beating the boy, the money will be placed for you.
Xanthias: Not, pray, for me. But, having led him away, torment him so.
625
Aiaikos: But there, then, so that he may speak before your eyes.
Aiaikos: Put down your things quickly, so that you will speak.
Aiakos: Here, no falsehood.
Dionysus: I am speaking to someone.
Dionysus: Do not torture me, being immortal; but if not,
Dionysus: Accuse yourself.
630
Aiakos: And what do you say?
Dionysus: I say that Dionysus is immortal, the son of Zeus,
Dionysus: This one is a slave.
Aeacus: Do you hear these things?
Xanthias: And certainly he is even more deserving of a whipping.
Xanthias: if indeed he is a god, he will not notice.
Dionysus: But what then, since you too claim to be a god,
635
Dionysus: Don't you also strike the same blows as me?
Xanthias: the argument is fair; and which of the two you would see us.
Xanthias: before having been beaten or having been preferred in anything
Xanthias: consider this man, though he is being beaten, not to be a god.
Aeacus: There is no way that you are not a bold man;
640
Aeacus: You are going to the just place. Take off your clothes, then.
Xanthias: How then will you torture us justly?
Aiakos: a blow after another, each.
Xanthias: You are speaking well.
Xanthias: Now look, whether you see me acting up.
Aiakos: I have already struck you.
645
Aiakos: Nor do you seem so to me.
Aiakos: But I will go to this one and strike him.
Aiakos: And now I have struck.
Dionysus: And then how did they not flee?
Aiaikos: I do not know; but I will try this one again.
Xanthias: Surely you won't manage it, will you? Alas!
Aiakos: Were you in labor?
650
Xanthias: No, by Zeus, but I took care of it.
Xanthias: whenever a Heracleia is being held in the Diomeia.
Aiakos: A sacred man. One must walk back here.
Dionysus: I see the horsemen.
Aiakos: Why then are you weeping?
Dionysus: I smell onions.
Aiakos: since, then, you value nothing.
655
Aiakos: We must certainly walk back this way again.
Xanthias: pull out the thorn.
Aeacus: What is this affair? We must walk back here again.
Dionysus: Apollo—who, I suppose, hold Delos or Pytho.
Xanthias: It hurt! Didn't you hear?
660
Dionysus: I was remembering an iamb of Hipponax.
Xanthias: You are doing nothing, for you are scraping your thighs.
Aiaikos: By Zeus, but now offer up your belly.
Xanthias: Someone has been hurt.
Dionysus: you who first dwell in the depths of the blue-grey sea of Aegaeus.
665
Aeacus: By Demeter, I am not yet able to learn.
Aiakos: Which one of you is a god. But, let's eat;
Aiaikos: for the master himself will know you.
670
Aeacus: And Persephone too, who is a goddess just like him.
Dionysus: You speak correctly; but I would like you this
Dionysus: consider first, before I receive the blows.
