The strangest tale? ha! ha! and when I laugh
I must not tell the cause? none know the truth?
None know King Midas has--but who comes here?
It is Asphalion: he knows not this change;
I must look grave & sad; for now a smile
If Midas knows it may prove capital.
Yet when I think of those--oh! I shall die,
In either way, by silence or by speech.

_Enter Asphalion._

_Asphal._ Know you, Zopyrion?--

_Zopyr._ What[!] you know it too?
Then I may laugh;--oh, what relief is this!
How does he look, the courtiers gathering round?
Does he hang down his head, & his ears too?
Oh, I shall die! (_laughs._)

_Asph._ He is a queer old dog,
Yet not so laughable. 'Tis true, he's drunk,
And sings and reels under the broad, green leaves,
And hanging clusters of his crown of grapes.--

_Zopyr._ A crown of grapes! but can that hide his ears[?]

_Asph._ His ears!--Oh, no! they stick upright between.
When Midas saw him--

_Zopyr._ Whom then do you mean?