Tell me your name
And what this country is.
_Midas._ My name is Midas--
_The Reeds_ (_nodding their heads_).
Midas, the king, has the ears of an ass. [49]
_Midas._ (_turning round & seizing Zopyrion_).
Villain, you lie! he dies who shall repeat
Those traitrous words. Seize on Zopyrion!
_The Reeds._ Midas, the king, has the ears of an ass.
_Mid._ Search through the crowd; it is a woman's voice
That dares belie her king, & makes her life
A forfeit to his fury.
_Asph._ There is no woman here.
_Bac._ Calm yourself, Midas; none believe the tale,
Some impious man or gamesome faun dares feign
In vile contempt of your most royal ears.
Off with your crown, & shew the world the lie!
_Mid._ (_holding his crown tight_)
Never! What[!] shall a vile calumnious slave
Dictate the actions of a crowned king?
Zopyrion, this lie springs from you--you perish!
_Zopy._ I, say that Midas has got asses' ears?
May great Apollo strike me with his shaft
If to a single soul I ever told
So false, so foul a calumny!
_Bac._ Midas! [50]
_The Reeds._ Midas, the king, has the ears of an ass.
_Bac._ Silence! or by my Godhead I strike dead
Who shall again insult the noble king.
Midas, you are my friend, for you have saved
And hospitably welcomed my old faun;
Choose your reward, for here I swear your wish,
Whatever it may be, shall be fulfilled.
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