20–21
MICYLLUS
Well, I'll lament, then, since you wish it, Hermes. —Alas, my scraps of leather! Alas, my old shoes! Alackaday, my rotten sandals! Unlucky man that I am, never again will I go hungry from morning to night or wander about in winter barefooted and halfnaked, with my teeth chattering for cold! Who is to get my knife and my awl?
5
HERMES
Enough weeping; we are almost in now.
CHARON
Come, now, pay us your fares, all of you, the first thing you do. (To Micyllus) You there, pay yours too; I have it from everybody now. I say, Micyllus, pay your obol too.
MICYLLUS
You’re joking, Charon, or if not, you might as well write in water as look for an obol from Micyllus. I haven’t the slightest idea whether an obol is round or square.
CHARON
What a fine, profitable cruise this has been to-day! Ashore with you, all the same. I am going after horses and cattle and dogs and the rest of the animals, for they have to cross now.
CLOTHO
Take them in charge, Hermes, and lead them off. I myself will go back to the other side to bring over the Chinamen Indopates and Heramithras, for they have just died fighting with one another over boundaries.
HERMES
Let’s move on, good people—or better, all follow me in order.
5
