But before Latona's son had finished his divine singing, the angry
Eryfile began to scream:
"What an ass! He tries to bribe me with flowers and dew; do you think
that you are privileged because my husband is not at home? What a pity
that our servants are not at hand; I would give you a good lesson! But
wait; I will teach you to wander during the night with songs!"
So saying she seized a pot of dough, and, throwing it through the
gate, splashed it over the face, neck, robe, and lyre of the Radiant.
Apollo groaned, and, covering his inspired head with a corner of his
wet robe, he departed in shame and wrath.
Hermes, waiting for him, laughed, turned somersaults, and twirled his
caduceus. But when the sorrowful son of Latona approached him, the
foxy patron of merchants simulated compassion and said:
"I am sorry you have lost, O puissant archer!"
"Go away, you rascal!" answered the angry Apollo.
"I shall go when you give me Lampecja."
"May Cerberus bite your calves. I shall not give you Lampecja, and I
tell you to go away, or I will twist your neck."
The Argo-robber knew that he must not joke when Apollo was angry, so
he stood aside cautiously and said:
"If you wish to cheat me, then in the future be Hermes and I will be
Apollo. I know that you are above me in power, and that you can harm
me, but happily there is some one who is stronger than you and he will
judge us.
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