P. Thank you. Bring me my shawl, and put my hat properly on my head—properly. No, child (to her little boy), I am not going to take you; there is a bogey on horseback, who bites. Cry as much as you like, I'm not going to have you lamed for life. Now we'll start. Nurse, take the little one and amuse him; call the dog in, and shut the street door. (They go out.) Good heavens! what a crowd of people! How on earth are we ever to get through all this? They are like ants—you can't count them. My dearest Gorgo, what will become of us? Here are the Royal Horse Guards. My good man, don't ride over me! Look at that bay horse rearing bolt upright; what a vicious one! Eunoe, you mad girl, do take care!—that horse will certainly be the death of the man on his back. How glad I am now that I left the child at home!
G. All right, Praxinoe, we are safe behind them, and they have gone on to where they are stationed.
P. Well, yes, I begin to revive again. From the time I was a little girl I have had more horror of horses and snakes than of anything in the world. Let us get on; here's a great crowd coming this way upon us.
G. (to an old woman). Mother, are you from the palace?
Old Woman. Yes, my dears.
G. Has one a tolerable chance of getting there?
O.W. My pretty young lady, the Greeks got to Troy by dint of trying hard; trying will do anything in this world.
G. The old creature has delivered herself of an oracle and departed.
P. Women can tell you everything about everything. Jupiter's marriage with Juno not excepted.