AESCHYLUS. EURIPIDES. DIONYSUS AES. Nay, I'll not chip and scratch them line by line, Phrase after phrase, but, an Heav'n help my task, Ruin your prologues with -- a pocket-flask. EUR. Mine! with a pocket-flask! AES. But one I ask. They're so composed they'll suffer any tag, Eider-down, pocket-flask, or carpet-bag, In the line's structure. I'll soon show you how. EUR. O @3you@1 will show me? AES. Yes. DION. Recite some now. EUR. 'AEgyptus, this the tale sown far and wide, With fifty sons upon the oar did ride To Argos' shore and . . .' AES. Lost his pocket-flask. DION. (@3puzzled@1) What @3is@1 this flask? There's trouble still in store. Say him another, let me see once more. EUR. 'With wand and fawnskin Dionysus dight Mid the pine torches o'er Parnassus' height Footed the dance and . . .' AES. Lost his pocket-flask. DION. Gracious! The flask has scored another hit. EUR. O there's no need to trouble. Wait a bit, I have a prologue here his flask won't fit. 'Bliss ne'er for man complete in all may be. Either he hath high birth with poverty, Or lowly blood and . . .' AES. Lost his pocket-flask. DION. Euripides -- EUR. Yes? DION. I'm for lowering sail, This pocket-flask will blow a heavy gale. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MENTAL TRAVELLER by WILLIAM BLAKE WAPENTAKE; TO ALFRED TENNYSON by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW EPISTLE TO DR. ARBUTHNOT by ALEXANDER POPE IN MEMORIAM A.H.H.: 124 by ALFRED TENNYSON UNDER MY WINDOW by THOMAS WESTWOOD THE OLD MEN ADMIRING THEMSELVES IN THE WATER by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS BRUCE: HOW THE BRUCE CROSSED LOCH LOMOND by JOHN BARBOUR |