18
ARISTOPHANES' FROGS
Dionysus.
That's a good brave fellow.
[They walk on for some time. The scene changes, a desolate lake taking the place of the house. Dionysus peers into the distance.
Dionysus.
What is that?
Xanthias.
That? A lake.
Dionysus.
By Zeus, it is!
The mere he spoke of.
Xanthias.
Yes; I see a boat.
Dionysus.
Yes; by the powers!
Xanthias.
And yonder must be Charon.
Dionysus.
Charon, ahoy!
Both.
Ahoy! Charon, ahoy!
Charon
(approaching in the boat. He is an old, grim, and squalid Ferryman, wearing a slave's felt cap and a sleeveless tunic).
Who is for rest from sufferings and cares?
Who's for the Carrion Crows, and the Dead Donkeys;
Lethe and Sparta and the rest of Hell?
