24
HERMES
You are looking at the Argives and Spartans, Charon, and over there is the dying general Othryadas, the one who is writing on the trophy in his own blood.Three hundred Spartans fought an equal number of Argives for the possession of Thyreatis. Two Argives and a single dying Spartan survived the fight. The Argives hastened home to report their victory; but the Spartan managed to put up a trophy and write upon it 2 dedication to Zeus in his own blood. Herod. 1,82; Plut. Moral. 306 B.
CHARON
What is their war about, Hermes?
HERMES
About the very plain in which they are fighting.
CHARON
What folly! They do not know that even if any one of them should acquire the whole Peloponnese, he could hardly get Aeacus to give him a foot of space. And as for this plain, it will be tilled by one race after another, and many a time they will turn the trophy up out of the depths with the plough.
5
HERMES
True. But now let’s get down and replace the mountains, and then go our ways, I on my crrand and you to your ferry. I will follow vou soon with a convoy of dead.
CHARON
I am much obliged to you, Hermes; you shall be written down for ever as a benefactor. ‘Thanks to you, I have had some profit from my journey. How silly are the ways of unhappy mankind, with their kings, golden ingots, funeral rites and battles—but never a thought of Charon!
