CLOTHO

Come, let’s see who he is.

CYNISCUS

Megapenthes,“Great woe.” son of Lacydes, a tyrant.

CLOTHO

Aboard with you!

MEGAPENTHES

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.

CLOTHO

Why is it that you want to go back?

MEGAPENTHES

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

CLOTHO

Nonsense! Come, get aboard.

MEGAPENTHES

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.

CLOTHO

It is settled; you can’t be permitted.

MEGAPENTHES

Then is all that gold to be lost?

CLOTHO

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

MEGAPENTHES

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

CLOTHO

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.

MEGAPENTHES

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

CLOTHO

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?

MEGAPENTHES

But it was mine now.

CLOTHO

Well, the term of your ownership has now expired.