Klotho I have seen you laughing for some
time, Mikyllos. What was it chiefly that stirred
your mirth? Mikyllos I will tell you, goddess of my greatest reverence. I lived near a despot on earth, so
that I saw pretty plainly all that went on in his
house, and he seemed to me then to be somehow
equal with the gods. For I counted him blessed
when I saw the bloom of his purple, the crowd
of his followers, the gold, the gemmed goblets,
the silver-footed couches. And, moreover, the
steam and savor of his dinner preparations used
to drive me wild, so that he seemed to me more
than mortal, thrice blessed, and almost handsomer
than other people, and taller by two feet! lifted
up as he was by fortune, dignified in his gait,
with head thrown back, inspiring awe in those he
met. But when he came to die, and had laid
aside his luxury like a garment, I saw all his absurdity; but still more I laughed at myself for
having admired such a wretch, judging of his
happiness from the steam of his kitchen, and
calling him blessed on the strength of the blood
of the shell-fish in the Laconic Sea.
 


And he was
not the only one. When I saw the money-lender
Griphon groaning with remorse because he had
not had the good of his money, but was dying
without a taste of it, leaving his property to the
spendthrift Rodochares-for he was next of kin


 



and chief legatee by law-I could not help laughing; most of all when I remembered how yellow
and dirty he always was, his brow full of care and
rich only with the fingers that counted his millions, gathering little by little what lucky Rodochares will send spinning presently.
But why do we not proceed now? We will
have the rest of our fun on the voyage watching
the others bemoan themselves. Klotho Get in and let the ferryman draw up
the anchor. Charon My friend, where are you going? The
skiff is full already. Wait here till to-morrow.
We will ferry you over early in the morning. Mikyllos It is a crime, Charon, for you to
leave a dead man behind who is stale already. I
will indict you before Rhadamanthos for illegal
practices.
Alas, alack! they are off already, and I shall
be left here alone. But why not swim after
them? I am not afraid of giving out and
drowning, because I am dead already. Moreover, I have not even got the obol to pay the
ferryman. Klotho What are you doing? Stay where you
are, Mikyllos. It is not permitted to cross in
that fashion. Mikyllos And yet I may possibly get into port
before you do.


 Klotho Heaven forbid. Come up with him
and catch him. You, Hermes, help pull him in. Charon Now, where shall he sit? Every seat
is full, as you see. Hermes On the despot's shoulders, if you agree. Klotho Happy thought, Hermes. Charon Climb up, then, and set your foot on
the villain's neck; and a fair voyage to us! Kyniskos Charon, it is fair to tell you the
truth from this moment. I should not have an
obol to pay you when I have got across, for I
have nothing but this wallet, which you see, and
this club. But if you want any baling done, I
am ready, or even to take an oar. You will have
no fault to find if only you give me a strong, wellbalanced oar. Charon Row, then; for even that is payment
enough from you. Kyniskos Is it, or must I start a boat-song to
give the time? Charon By all means, if you know some sailor's
song. Kyniskos I know a number; but see, these
others are wailing tearfully in opposition. They
will put us out in our singing. First Dead Man Alas for my goods!
 Second Dead Man Alas for my fields!
 Third Dead Man Woe is me, what a house I
have left!


 



 Fourth Dead Man How many thousands my
heir will get to make ducks and drakes of!
 Fifth Dead Man Alas for my young children!
 Sixth Dead Man Who will gather
grapes from
the vines I planted for myself last year? Hermes Mikyllos, do you make no lament?
It is impious for any one to cross without a tear. Mikyllos Nonsense. I have nothing to lament
for on a prosperous voyage. Hermes Still, just join a little in the groaning
for custom's sake. Mikyllos I will make my moan, then, since
you think best, Hermes. Alas for my soles!
Alas for my old lasts! Woe is me for my rotten
sandals! Poor wretch, I shall never again go
without food from daybreak to nightfall! Never
again shall I stalk about in winter barefoot and
half naked, my teeth chattering with the cold!
Who, pray tell, will have my knife and my awl ? Hermes You have mourned enough; we have
almost finished our voyage.