DIONYSUS. No, since you are on your beast.
XANTHIAS. Nevertheless I am carrying this….
DIONYSUS. What?
XANTHIAS. … and it is very heavy.
DIONYSUS. But this burden you carry is borne by the ass.
XANTHIAS. What I have here, 'tis certainly I who bear it, and not the ass, no, by all the gods, most certainly not!
DIONYSUS. How can you claim to be carrying it, when you are carried?
XANTHIAS. That I can't say; but this shoulder is broken, anyhow.
DIONYSUS. Well then, since you say that the ass is no good to you, pick her up in your turn and carry her.
XANTHIAS. What a pity I did not fight at sea;[384] I would baste your ribs for that joke.