5–6
Klotho
And we, Charon, were just accusing Hermes of neglecting his duties!
Charon
Well, what are we waiting for now? Haven't we lost enough time already?
Klotho
You are right; let them embark. I will take my note-book in my hand and sit by the gangway, as usual; and as each one of them comes aboard I will find out who he is and whence he comes, and what sort of ath he died by. Do you, Charon, receive them and stack them together in lots; and you, Hermes, put these new-born children aboard first. For how could they answer any of my questions?
Hermes
See, ferryman, there are three hundred of these for you, counting those that were exposed.
Charon
Dear me, that is a large bag. You have brought us unripe dead.
5
Hermes
Shall we put the unwept aboard next to these, Klotho?
Klotho
Do you mean the aged? Yes, do so. Why should I trouble myself now to inquire into such ancient history? All you who are over sixty come forward at once. What is this? They do not hear me, because their ears are stopped with age. Probably you will have to lift these, too, and ship them.
Hermes
Here is another lot, lacking two of four hundred. These are all soft and ripe, and gathered in their prime.
Charon
No, by Jove! they are all raisins already.
Klotho
Bring on the wounded next to these,
Hermes
I will begin with you. Tell me by what death you have come here; or, rather, I will examine you by reference to the documents. Eightyfour must have died in battle yesterday in Mysia, among them Gobares, the son of Oxyartes.
