8–9
HERMES
That is Milo, the athlete from Croton. The Greeks are clapping their hands at him because he has lifted the bull and is carrying him through the centre of the stadium.
CHARON
How much more fitting it would be, Hermes, if they should applaud me; for in a little while I shall seize Milo himself and heave him aboard the boat, when he comes to us after getting thrown by Death, the most invincible of all antagonists, without even knowing how he was tripped! Then we shall hear him wail, depend upon it, when he remembers these crowns of victory and this applause; but now he thinks highly of himself because of the admiration he is winning for carrying the bull. What! Are we to think that he expects to die some day?
HERMES
Why should he think of death now, when he is so young and strong?
CHARON
Never mind him; he will give us food for laughter before long when he makes his voyage and is no longer able to lift a mosquito, let alone a bull!
5
Tell me, Who is the other man yonder, the haughty one? Iliad3, 226 served as a model for this line also. Not a Greek, it seems, from his dress at least.
HERMES
That is Cyrus, Charon, the son of Cambyses, who has already transferred to the Persians the empire that once belonged to the Medes. Moreover, he recently conquered the Assyrians and brought Babylon to terms, and now he appears to be meditating a campaign against Lydia, with the idea of overthrowing Croesus and ruling the world.
CHARON
And Croesus, where is he?
