20
Well, I'll lament, then, since you wish it, Hermes. —Alas, my scraps of leather! Alas, my old shoes! Alackaday, my rotten sandals! Unlucky man that I am, never again will I go hungry from morning to night or wander about in winter barefooted and halfnaked, with my teeth chattering for cold! Who is to get my knife and my awl?
20
Enough weeping; we are almost in now.
21
Come, now, pay us your fares, all of you, the first thing you do. (To Micyllus) You there, pay yours too; I have it from everybody now. I say, Micyllus, pay your obol too.
21
You’re joking, Charon, or if not, you might as well write in water as look for an obol from Micyllus. I haven’t the slightest idea whether an obol is round or square.
21
What a fine, profitable cruise this has been to-day! Ashore with you, all the same. I am going after horses and cattle and dogs and the rest of the animals, for they have to cross now.
21
Take them in charge, Hermes, and lead them off. I myself will go back to the other side to bring over the Chinamen Indopates and Heramithras, for they have just died fighting with one another over boundaries.
21
Let’s move on, good people—or better, all follow me in order.
22
Heracles, how dark it is! Where now is handsome Megillus, and who can tell here that Simiche is not more beautiful than Phryne? All things are alike and of the same colour, and nothing is either beautiful or more beautiful; indeed, even my short cloak, which till now I thought ugly, is as good as the purple mantle of the king, for both are invisible and submerged in the same darkness. Cyniscus, where in the world are you?
22
Here I am, talking to you, Micyllus. Come, let’s walk together, if you like.
22
Good! Give me your hand. Tell me—for of course you have been through the Eleusinian Mysteries, Cyniscus—don’t you think this is like them?
