The Runaways (25-27)

HERACLES Do you see two ranges, Hermes and Philosophy, the highest and most beautiful of all mountains (the higher is Haemus, the one opposite is Rhodope), and a plain of great fertility outspread beneath them, beginning at the very foothills of each? Also,

HERMES Yes, by Zeus, Heracles, the greatest and loveliest of all cities! In fact, its beauty is radiant from afar. And also, a very large river flows past it, coming quite close to it.

HERACLES That is the Hebrus, and the city was built by the famous Philip.[*] We are now close to earth and the clouds are above us, so let us make a landing, with the blessing of Heaven.

HERMES Very well. But what is to be done now? How are we to track the beasts out?

HERACLES That is up to you, Hermes; you are a crier, so be quick and do your office.

HERMES Nothing hard about that, but I do not know their names. Tell me, Philosophy, what I am to call them, and their marks of identification as well.

PHILOSOPHY I myself do not know for certain what they are called, because of my not having had anything to do with them ever. But to judge from the craving for

HERMES Right you are.—But who are these people and why are they too looking about them? However, they are coming up and want to ask a question.

HUSBAND Could you tell us, gentlemen, or you, kind lady, whether you have seen three rogues together, and a woman with her hair closely clipped in the Spartan style, boyish-looking and quite masculine?

PHILOSOPHY Aha! They are looking for our quarry!

HUSBAND How yours? Those fellows are all fugitive slaves, and for my part I am particularly in search of the woman, whom they have kidnapped.

HERMES You will soon find out why we are in search of them. But at present let us make a joint proclamation. «If anyone has seen a Paphlagonian slave, one of those barbarians from Sinope, with a name of the kind that has ‘rich’ in it, sallow, close-cropped,[*] wearing a long beard, with a wallet slung from his shoulder and a short cloak about him, quick-