The Downward Journey, or the Tyrant (13)

Stop threatening and get aboard; it is already time for you to make your appearance in court.

And who will dare to pass judgement on a tyrant?

On a tyrant, no one, but on a dead man, Rhadamanthus. You shall soon see him impose on every one of you the sentence that is just and fits the case. No more delay now!

Make me even a common man, Lady of Destiny, one of the poor people; make me even a slave instead of the king that once I was. Only let me come to life again!

Where is the man with the club? You take hold of him too, Hermes, and pull him in by the leg, for he won’t go aboard willingly.

Come along now, runaway. (To Charon.) Take this fellow, ferryman, and see here—mind you make sure—

No fear! he shall be lashed to the mast.

But I ought to sit on the quarter-deck!

For what reason?

Because I was a tyrant, God knows, and had a regiment of guardsmen.

Then wasn’t Cario justified in pulling your hair, if you were such a lout? But you'll get small joy of your tyranny if I give you a taste of my club!

What, will a Cyniscus make bold to shake his staff at me? Did I not come within an ace of tricing you up to a cross the other day because you were too free-spoken and sharp-tongued and censorious?

That is why you yourself will stay triced up to the mast.