29–32
Hermes
What a smooth, slippery, unstable, evasive fellow you are, Plutus! there is no getting a firm hold of you; you wriggle through one’s fingers somehow, like an eel or a snake. Poverty is so different—sticky, clinging, all over hooks; any one who comes near her is caught directly, and finds it no simple matter to get clear. But all this gossip has put business out of our heads.
Plutus
Business? What business?
Hermes
We have forgotten to bring Thesaurus, and we cannot do without him.
Plutus
Oh, never mind him. When I come up to see you, I leave him on earth, with strict orders to stay indoors, and open to no one unless he hears my voice.
Hermes
Then we may make our way into Attica; hold on to my cloak till I find Timon’s retreat.
Plutus
It is just as well to keep touch; if you let me drop behind, I am as likely as not to be snapped up by Hyperbolus or Cleon. But what is that noise? it sounds like iron on stone.
Hermes
Ah, here is Timon close to us; what a steep stony little plot he has got to dig! Good gracious, I see Poverty and Toil in attendance, Endurance, Wisdom, Courage, and Hunger’s whole company in full force—much more efficient than your guards, Plutus.
Plutus
Oh dear, let us make the best of our way home, Hermes. We shall never produce any impression on a man surrounded by such troops.
Hermes
Zeus thought otherwise; so no cowardice.
Poverty
Slayer of Argus, whither away, you two hand in hand?
Hermes
Zeus has sent us to Timon here,
