17–18
MICYLLUS
And he was not the only one that I laughed at. When I saw the usurer Gnipho groaning and regretting that he had not enjoyed his money but had died without sampling it, abandoning his property to that wastrel Rhodochares, who was nextof kin to him and had the first claim on the estate according to law, I could not control my laughter,: especially when I called to mind how pale and unkempt he always was, with a forehead full of worries, feeling his riches only with the fingers with which he reckoned up thousands and tens of thousands ashe gathered in, little by little, what was soon to be poured out by that lucky dog Rhodochares. But why not gonow? We can finish our laughing during: the sail as we see them crying.
CLOTHO
Get aboard, so that the ferryman can haul the anchor up.
CHARON
Hi, fellow! Where are you going so fast? The boat is fullalready. Wait there till to-morrow; we'll set you across first thing in the morning.
MICYLLUS
You are committing a misdemeanour, Charon, in leaving behind you a dead man who is already high. No fear, I'll have you up before Rhadamanthus for breaking the law. Oh, Lord! What hard luck! They are sailing already, “and I'll be left behind here all alone.”The words form a trimeter in the Greek, perhaps a line of comedy. But why not swim across in their wake? I’m not afraid of giving out and drowning, seeing that I’m already dead! Besides, I haven’t an obol to pay my passage.
CLOTHO
What’s this? Wait, Micyllus; you mustn’t cross that way.
MICYLLUS
See here, perhaps I'll beat you to the shore.
