The Runaways (25-27)

Hera You see those two magnificent mountains (the big one is Haemus, and the other Rhodope), and the fertile plain that spreads between them, running to the very foot of either? Those three grand, rugged crests that stand out so proudly yonder form as it were a triple citadel to the city that lies beneath; you can see it now, look.

Hera Superb! A queen among cities; her splendours reach us even here. And what is the great river that flows so close beneath the walls?

Hera The Hebrus, and the city was built by Philip. Well, we have left the clouds behind us now; let us try our fortune on terra firma.

Hera Very good; and what comes next? How do we hunt our vermin down?

Hera Ah, that is where you come in, Mr. Crier: oblige us by crying them without loss of time.

Hera There is only one objection to that: I do not know what they are called. What names am I to say, Philosophy? and how shall I describe them?

Philosophy I am not sure of their names, as I have never come into contact with them. To judge from their grasping propensities, however, you can hardly go wrong with Cteso, Ctesippus, Ctesicles, Euctemon, Polyctetus[*].

Hera To be sure. But who are these men? They seem to be looking for something too. Why, they are coming up to speak to us.

Innkeeper and Masters Excuse us, madam, and gentlemen, but have you come across a company of three rascals conducting a woman—a very masculine-looking female, with hair cut short in the Spartan fashion?

Philosophy Ha! the very people we are looking for!

Masters Indeed, madam? But these are three runaway slaves. The woman was kidnapped by them, and we want to get her back.

Hera Our business with them I will tell you afterwards, For the present, let us make a joint proclamation.

Disappeared A Paphlagonian slave, formerly of Sinope. Any person giving information as to his whereabouts will be rewarded; the amount of the reward to be fixed by the informant. Description. Name: begins with CTE. Complexion: sallow. Hair: close-cropped, with long beard.