18
You are committing a misdemeanour, Charon, in leaving behind you a dead man who is already high. No fear, I'll have you up before Rhadamanthus for breaking the law. Oh, Lord! What hard luck! They are sailing already, “and I'll be left behind here all alone.”The words form a trimeter in the Greek, perhaps a line of comedy. But why not swim across in their wake? I’m not afraid of giving out and drowning, seeing that I’m already dead! Besides, I haven’t an obol to pay my passage.
18
What’s this? Wait, Micyllus; you mustn’t cross that way.
18
See here, perhaps I'll beat you to the shore.
18
No, no! Come, let’s row up and take him in. Hermes, lend a hand to pull him in.
19
Where shall he sit? The boat’s full, as you see.
19
On the shoulders of the tyrant, if you like.
19
A happy thought, that of Hermes!
19
Climb up, then, and set your feet on the sinner's neck. Let’s go on while the wind is fair.
19
Charon, I may as well tell you the truth here and now. I shan’t be able to pay you your obol when we come to land, for I have nothing more than the wallet which you see, and this club here. However, I am ready either to bale, if you like, or to row; you will have no fault to find if you only give me a stout, well-balanced oar.
19
Pull an oar; that will be enough to exact of you.
19
Shall I strike up a song, too?
19
Yes, by all means, if you know any of the sailors’ chanties,
19
I know plenty of them, Charon; but as you see, these people are competing with our music by crying, so that we shall be put out of tune in our song.
20
(one) Alas, my wealth! (anoTuer) Alas, my farms! (aNoTHER) Alackaday, what a house I left behind me! (anotuer) To think of all the thousands my heir will come into and squander! (aNoruer) Ah, my new-born babes! (anorner) Who will get the vintage of the vines I set out last year?
20
Micyllus, you are not lamenting at all, are you? Nobody may cross without a tear.
20
Get out with you! I have no reason to lament while the wind is fair.
20
Do cry, however, even if only a little, for custom’s sake,
