how limited is her thirst?PHAEDROMUS(apart.)She’s a moderate person; she swallows eight gallonsEight gallons: Quadrantal. This was a measure which held forty-eight sextarii, of about a pint and a half each. only.PALINURUS(apart.)I’ faith, according to your account, this year’s vintage is not enough for this old woman alone.PROCURESS But since as yet you, fragrance, alone have penetrated to my nostrils, so in its turn afford some delight to my throat. (Feels for the bowl on the ground, which PALINURUS draws away.) I find you not; where is your own dear self? I’m longing to touch you; do let me pour your liquids into me by sip-sipping. But in this direction it has gone, this way I’ll. follow it.(Goes in the direction of PALINURUS, who has the bowl.)PALINURUS(apart.)It really had been more proper for her to be a dog; she has a good nose.PROCURESS Prithee, whose voice is it that I hear at a distance.PHAEDROMUS(apart.)I think that this old hag should be accosted. I’ll approach her. (Aloud.) Come back, Procuress, and look back towards me.PROCURESS Who is it that gives his commands?PHAEDROMUS The all-powerful in wine, jolly Bacchus; he who, when you’re hawking, parched, and half asleep, brings you a draught and comes to quench your thirst.PROCURESS How far is he away from me?PHAEDROMUS(holding up the torch.) See this light.PROCURESS Then, prithee, do quicken your pace towards me.PHAEDROMUS Health to you. PROCURESS How can I have health, who am parched with thirst?PHAEDROMUS But you shall drink in a moment.PROCURESS ’Tis long a-coming.PHAEDROMUS(extending the bowl.) Here’s for you, jolly old dame.PROCURESS Health to you, gentleman dear as my very eyes.PALINURUS Come, toss this off quickly into your abyss; scour out your sink right speedily.PHAEDROMUS Hold your tongue; I won’t have her ill spoken to.PALINURUS(aside.)In preference, then, I’ll do her ill.PROCURESS(pouring some of the residue on the altar.) Venus, of this little, this very little will I give to theeWill I give to thee: As a libation. It was the custom to pour out wine or other liquors, as libations in honor of the Gods, either upon an altar, on the ground, into the sea, or on a table, according to the circumstances of the case.—sore against my will; for all the lovers, in their cups, to propitiate thee, expend their wine upon thee: not such windfalls often fall to me.(Drinks again.)PALINURUS Do look at that, please, how greedily the filthy hag swills down the pure wine into herself with distended gullet.PROCURESS(patting her stomach and chuckling.) Ha, ha, haPALINURUS How is it? Do you like it? PROCURESS I do like it.PALINURUS And I, too, should like to goad with a spur as well.PHAEDROMUS(aside to PALINURUS.) Don’t you—do hold your tongue. PALINURUS I’ll hold my tongue; (the old woman drinks) but see, the rainbow’s drinkingThe rainbow’s drinking: This is said in allusion to an absurd belief which prevailed among the ancients, that the rainbow drank up water from be surface of the earth.; I’ faith, I do believe it will rain to-day.PHAEDROMUS Troth now, I’m quite undone; what first to say to her I know not.