The Downward Journey, or the Tyrant (8)

Come, let’s see who he is.

Megapenthes,[*] son of Lacydes, a tyrant.

Aboard with you!

Oh no, good lady Clotho! Do let me go back to earth for a little while. Then [ll come of my own accord, you will find, without being summoned by anyone.

Why is it that you want to go back?

Let me finish my house first, for the building has been left half-done.

Nonsense! Come, get aboard.

It’s not much time that I ask for, Lady of Destiny; let me stay just this one day, till I can give my wife directions about my money—the place where I kept my great treasure buried.

It is settled; you can’t be permitted.

Then is all that gold to be lost?

No, it will not be lost. Be easy on that score your cousin Megacles will get it.

What an outrage! My enemy, whom I was too easy-going to put to death before I died?

The very man; and he will outlive you forty years and a little more, taking over your concubines and your clothing and all your plate.

You are unjust, Clotho, to bestow my property on my worst enemies.

Why, did not it formerly belong to Cydimachus, and did not you take it over after killing him and slaughtering his children upon him while the breath was still in his body?

But it was mine now.

Well, the term of your ownership has now expired.