Klotho

Come, let me know who he is.

Hermes

Megapenthes, son of Lakydes, a despot.

Klotho

Come aboard.

Megapenthes

Not for worlds, Madam Klotho. Let me go up for a little while. Then I will come to you by my own free-will at no one's summons.

Klotho

What is the reason you want to go?

Megapenthes

Give me time to finish my house. I left my dwelling behind half built.

Klotho

Nonsense! Get in.

Megapenthes

I do not ask for a long time, Fate. Let me stay just this one day, to appear to my wife and tell her something about my moneywhere I kept my great treasure hidden.

Klotho

It is fixed. You cannot do it.

Megapenthes

Then will all that gold be lost?

Klotho

Not at all; you may be at ease about that. Your cousin Megakles will get hold of it.

Megapenthes

Oh, what an affront! My enemy, whom I was too easy-going to put to death before me?

Klotho

The same. He will survive you forty years and something over, in possession of your harem and your clothes and all your wealth.

Mcgapenthes

It is unjust, Klotho, to assign my property to my greatest enemies.

Klotho

I suppose, my noble sir, that you did not seize it when it belonged to Kydimachos, murdering the man himself and then slaying his children on their father's warm body?

Megapenthes

But at present it was mine.

Klotho

Well, your time of possession had run out.