3
MENALCAS
wax-welded? in the cross-ways used you not
on grating straw some miserable tune
DAMOETAS
Well, then, shall we try our skill
each against each in turn? Lest you be loth,
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I pledge this heifer; every day she comes
twice to the milking-pail, and feeds withal
two young ones at her udder: say you now
what you will stake upon the match with me.
MENALCAS
Naught from the flock I'll venture, for at home
40
I have a father and a step-dame harsh,
and twice a day both reckon up the flock,
and one withal the kids. But I will stake,
seeing you are so mad, what you yourself
will own more priceless far—two beechen cups
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by the divine art of Alcimedon
wrought and embossed, whereon a limber vine,
wreathed round them by the graver's facile tool,
twines over clustering ivy-berries pale.
Two figures, one Conon, in the midst he set,
50
