2–1
CHARON
I won’t leave you alone.
MENIPPUS
Then you’d better beach your ferry, and stay put; but how will you get what I don’t have?
CHARON
Didn’t you know you had to bring it with you?
MENIPPUS
Yes, but I didn’t have it. What of it? Did that make it wrong for me to die?
5
CHARON
So you’ll be the only one to boast of a free passage?
MENIPPUS
Not free, my good fellow; I baled, I helped at the oar, I was the only passenger who wasn’t weeping.
CHARON
That’s nothing to do with a ferryman; your penny must be paid. No alternative’s allowed.
MENIPPUS
Then take me back to life.
CHARON
That’s a bright remark! Do you want me also to get a thrashing from Aeacus for my pains?
MENIPPUS
Then don’t bother me.
CHARON
Show me what you have in your bag.
MENIPPUS
Lupines, if you want some, and a meal meant for Hecate.
5
CHARON
Where did you find us this Dog, Hermes? How he chattered on the crossing too, mocking and jeering at all the passengers and singing on his own while they were lamenting!
HERMES
Don’t you know, my dear Charon, what sort of man you’ve taken across? He is absolutely independent and cares for nobody. This is Menippus.
CHARON
But if ever I get my hands on you—
MENIPPUS
If you get your hands on me, my good fellow! But you won’t get them on me a second time.
Shades To Pluto Against Menippus
CROESUS
Pluto, we can’t stand having this Dog, Menippus, for our neighbour. So put him somewhere else, or we’ll move ourselves.
PLUTO
What harm does he do you as a fellow-shade?
