Juppiter Tragoedus

Timocles Infidel! where do you find the source of oracles and prophecies, if not in the Gods and their Providence?

Damis About oracles, friend, the less said the better; I shall ask you to choose your instances, you see. Will Apollo's answer to the Lydian suit you? That was as symmetrical as a double-edged knife; or say, it faced both ways, like those Hermae which are made double, alike whether you look at front or back. Consider; will Croesus’s passage of the Halys destroy bis own realm, or Cyruss? Yet the wretched Sardian paid a long price for bis ambidextrous hexameter.

Momus The man is realizing just my worst apprehensions, Where is our handsome musician now? Ah, there you are; go down and plead your own cause against him.

Zeus Hush, Momus; you are murdering our feelings; it is no time for recrimination.