Aristophanes, Frogs
Matthew Dillon, Ed.

Dionysus
Now, by the Gods, besides these there should be
Whoever learned Kinesias' pyrrhic dance.

Heracles
Next a breath of pipes will surround you,
you'll see a shining light, just like up here,
then myrtle groves, and happy choirs
of men and woman mixed who loudly clap their hands.

Dionysus
And who are these?

Heracles
These are the Mystic celebrants.

Xanthias
By God, I am the donkey at the Mysteries!
But I won't put up with this for one more minute!

Heracles
And these will tell you all you wish to know,
For they live closest by the way to Pluto's door.
And now farewell, my brother.

Dionysus
Thanks, and you too
prosper. But you, take the baggage up again.

Xanthias
What, before I've laid it down?

Dionysus
Yes, sir, at once.

Xanthias
No, please, I beg you, but hire someone
from the funeral party, who's coming just for this.

Dionysus
And if I don't find any?

Xanthias
Then I'll carry it.

Dionysus
That's fair.
And sure enough, they're bringing out a corpse right here.
Hallo you there ! —you, the dead man, I mean;
Will you take this baggage down to Hell?

Corpse
How much is there?

Dionysus
This here.

Corpse
Will you pay two drachmas?

Dionysus
God no, less than that.

Corpse
Get out of the way, you!

Dionysus
[175] Wait, my good man, maybe we can strike a bargain.

Corpse
If you don't put down two drachmas, no deal.

Dionysus
Come, take nine obols.

Corpse
I'd rather be alive again.

Xanthias
How arrogant this damned fellow is—drop dead!
I'll go myself.

Dionysus
You're tried and true.
Let's go to the boat.

Charon
Avast, lay her to.

Xanthias
What's this?

Dionysus
This? The lake, of course,
the very one he mentioned, and now I see the boat.

Xanthias
Me too, by Poseidon, and this one here is Charon.

Dionysus
Ah Charon, Charon, cheery, cheery Charon!