5–6
Clotho
There now, Charon! And we were beginning to accuse Hermes of neglect.
Charon
Well, and why are we waiting here, as if there had not been enough delay already?
Clotho
True. Let them come aboard. I’ll to my post by the gangway, with my notebook, and take their names and countries as they come up, and details of their deaths; and you can stow them away as you get them.—Hermes, let us have those babies in first; I shall get nothing out of them.
Hermes
Here, skipper. Three hundred of them, including those that were exposed.
Charon
A precious haul, on my word!—These are but green grapes, Hermes.
5
Hermes
Who next, Clotho? The Unwept?
Clotho
Ah! I take you.—Yes, up with the old fellows. I have no time to-day for prehistoric research. All over sixty, pass on! What’s the matter with them? They don’t hear me; they are deaf with age. I think you will have to pick them up, like the babies, and get them along that way.
Hermes
Here they are; fine well-matured fruit, gathered in due season; three hundred and ninety-eight of them,
Charon
Nay, nay; these are no better than raisins.
Clotho
Bring up the wounded next, Hermes. Now I can get to work. Tell me how you were killed. Or no; I had better look at my notes, and call you over. Eighty-four due to be killed in battle yesterday, in Mysia, ‘These to include Gobares, son of Oxyartes.
Clotho
The seven who killed themselves for love. Also Theagenes, the philosopher, for love of the Megarian courtesan.
Hermes
Here they are, look.
Clotho
And the rival claimants to thrones, who slew one another?
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