The Downward Journey or The Tyrant

​Micyllus And not only this man, but also when I saw the usurer Gniphon groaning and repenting that he did not enjoy his money, but died without tasting it, leaving his estate to the spendthrift Rhodochares — for this man was his nearest of kin and was called first to the inheritance according to the law — I could not stop my laughter, especially remembering how pale and dirty he always was, his forehead full of worry, and wealthy only with his fingers, with which he counted talents and tens of thousands, gathering little by little what would shortly be poured out by the blessed Rhodochares. But why do we not depart already? For while sailing we shall laugh at the rest, seeing them wailing. Clotho Step in, so that the ferryman may also haul up the anchor.

​Charon Hey you, where are you rushing to? The boat is already full. Wait here until tomorrow; we will ferry you across at dawn. Micyllus You do me wrong, Charon, leaving behind a corpse that is already stale. I will certainly indict you for illegal conduct before Rhadamanthus. Alas for my woes! They are already sailing, and I alone shall be left behind here. And yet, why do I not swim after them? For I do not fear that I shall grow exhausted and drown, being already dead; besides, I do not even have the obol to pay the fare. Clotho What is this? Wait, Micyllus! It is not lawful for you to cross over in this way. Micyllus And indeed, I shall probably even land before you.

​Clotho By no means, but let us row near and take him in. And you, Hermes, help haul him up. Charon Where will he sit now? For everything is full, as you see. Hermes On the shoulders, if it seems good, of the tyrant. Clotho Hermes has thought of a good plan. Charon Mount up then, and tread on the neck of the scoundrel; and let us have a good voyage. Cyniscus Charon, it is well to tell you the truth from the start. I would not have the obol to give you when we land; for I have nothing more than this pouch you see and this staff. But for the rest, I am ready either to bale out the water, if you wish, or to pull an oar; and you will find no fault, if only you give me a well-balanced and stout oar. Charon Row then; for even this is enough to receive from you. Cyniscus Shall I also have to sing the rowing-chant? Charon Yes, by Zeus, if indeed you know any of the sailors’ chants. Cyniscus I know many, Charon. But, you see, these people are weeping in response, so our song will be disturbed.

​The Dead Alas for my possessions! — Alas for my fields! — Oh, what a house I have left behind! — How many talents the heir will squander when he takes over! — Alas for my newborn children! — Who, I wonder, will harvest the vines that I planted last year? Hermes Micyllus, and do you not wail at all? And indeed, it is not lawful for anyone to cross over without tears. Micyllus Away with that! There is nothing for which I should wail, having a good voyage. Hermes Nevertheless, groan at least a little for the sake of custom. Micyllus I will wail then, since, Hermes, it seems good to you. Alas for my leather scraps! Alas for my old soles! Oh, for my rotten shoes! No longer, wretch that I am, shall I remain without food from morning till evening, nor shall I wander about in winter barefoot and half-naked, my teeth chattering from the cold. Who, I wonder, will have my knife and my awl? Hermes Enough lamentation has been made; we have already nearly landed.

​Charon Come now, pay us the ferry-fares first. You too, give; I already have it from everyone. Give your obol too, Micyllus. Micyllus Are you joking, Charon, or, as they say, writing on water, in expecting any obol from Micyllus? In the first place, I do not even know whether an obol is square or round. Charon Oh, what a fine and profitable voyage today! But step out nevertheless. I will go and fetch the horses, oxen, dogs, and the rest of the animals; for those too must now be ferried across. Clotho Take them away, Hermes, having received them. But I myself will sail back to the opposite shore to bring over Indopates and Heramithres the Seres; for they have indeed died at each other’s hands, fighting about borders of land. Hermes Let us go forward, you there; or rather, follow me all in order.