27
Hermes, kindly summon his Lamp and Bed. They will appear in evidence, and state what they know of his conduct.
27
Lamp and Bed of Megapenthes, come into court. Good, they respond to the summons,
27
Now, tell us all you know about Megapenthes. Bed, you speak first.
27
All that Cyniscus said is true. But really, Mr. Rhadamanthus, I don’t quite like to speak about it; such strange things used to happen overhead.
27
Why, your unwillingness to speak is the most telling evidence of all!—Lamp, now let us have yours.;
27
What went on in the daytime I never saw, not being there. As for his doings at night, the less said the better. I saw some very queer things, though, monstrous queer. Many is the time I have stopped taking oil on purpose, and tried to goout. But then he used to bring me close up. It was enough to give any lamp a bad character.
28
Enough of verbal evidenee. Now, just divest yourself of that purple, and we will see what you have in the way of brands. Goodness gracious, the man’s a positive network! Black and blue with them! Now, what punishment can we givehim? A bathin Pyriphlegethon? The tender mercies of Cerberus, perhaps?
28
No, no. Allow me,—I have a novel idea; something that will just suit him.
28
Yes? I shall be obliged to you for a suggestion.
28
I fancy it is usual for departed spirits to take a draught of the water of Lethe?
28
Just so.
28
Let him be the sole exception.
29
What is the idea in that?
29
His earthly pomp and power for ever in his mind; his fingers ever busy on the tale of blissful items;—’tis a heavy sentence!
29
True. Be this the tyrant’s doom. Place him in fetters at Tantalus’s side,—never to forget the things of earth.
