2–1
Hermes
Well, they are rascals, and it would be a comic ending. He leads them a pretty life too, on hope gruel; he always looks more dead than alive, but he is tougher than a young man. They have divided up the inheritance among them, and feed on imaginary bliss.
Pluto
Just so; now he is to throw off his years like Iolaus, and rejuvenate, while they in the middle of their hopes find themselves here with their dream-wealth left behind them. Nothing like making the punishment fit the crime.
Hermes
Say no more, Pluto; I will fetch you them one after another; seven of them, is it?
Pluto
Down with them; and he shall change from an old man to a blooming youth, and attend their funerals.
Terpsion
Now is this fair, Pluto,—that I should die at the age of thirty, and that old Thucritus go on living past ninety?
Pluto
Nothing could be fairer. Thucritus lives and is in no hurry for his neighbours to die; whereas you always had some design against him; you were waiting to step into his shoes.
Terpsion
Well, an old man like that is past getting any enjoyment out of his money; he ought to die, and make room for younger men.
Pluto
This is a novel principle: the man who can no longer derive pleasure from his money is to die!—Fate and Nature have ordered it otherwise.
