apocryphal land of wonders and prodigies.

DICAEOPOLIS
And how long was he replacing his dress?

AMBASSADOR
The whole period of a full moon; after which he returned to his palace;
then he entertained us and had us served with oxen roasted whole
in an oven.

DICAEOPOLIS
Who ever saw an oxen baked in an oven? What a lie!

AMBASSADOR
On my honour, he also had us served with a bird three
times as large as Cleonymus,[1] and called the Boaster.

f[1] Cleonymus was an Athenian general of exceptionally tall stature;
Aristophanes incessantly rallies him for his cowardice; he had cast away
his buckler in a fight.

DICAEOPOLIS
And do we give you two drachmae, that you should treat us to all
this humbug?

AMBASSADOR
We are bringing to you Pseudartabas[1], the King's Eye.

f[1] A name borne by certain officials of the King of Persia. The actor of
this part wore a mask, fitted with a single eye of great size.