" THE F ROGS. "

Dionysos. But why I came in these especial trappings —
Disguised as you, in fact — was this: I want you
To tell me all the hosts with whom you stayed
That time you went to fetch up Cerberus:
Tell me your hosts, your harbours, bakers' shops,
Inns, taverns, — reputable and otherwise —
Springs, roads, towns, posts, and landladies that keep
The fewest fleas.
Heracles . Bold man, and will you dare ...
Dionysos. Now don't begin
That sort of thing; but tell the two of us
What road will take us quickest down to Hades. —
And, please, no great extremes of heat or cold.
Heracles. Well, which one had I better tell you first? —
Which now? — Ah, yes; suppose you get a boatman
To tug you with a hawser — round your neck ...
Dionysos. A choky sort of journey, that.
Heracles. Well, then,
There is a short road, quick and smooth, the surface
Well pounded — in a mortar.
Dionysos. The hemlock way?
Heracles. Exactly.
Dionysos. Cold and bitter! Why, it freezes
All your shins numb.
Heracles. Do you mind one short and steep?
Dionysos. Not in the least. . . . You know I'm no great walker.
Heracles. Then just stroll down to Kerameikos ...
Dionysos. Well?
Heracles. Climb up the big tower ...
Dionysos. Good; and then?
Heracles. Then watch
And see them start the torch-race down below;
Lean over till you hear the men say " Go. "
And then — go.
Dionysos. Where?
Heracles. Why, over.
Dionysos. Not for me!
It'd cost me two whole sauce-bags full of brains.
I won't go that way.
Heracles. Well, how will you go?
Dionysos. The way you went that time.
Heracles. The voyage is long.
You first come to a great mere, fathomless
And very wide.
Dionysos. How do I get across?
Heracles. In a little boat, like that; an aged man
Will row you across the ferry ... for two obols.
Dionysos. Those two old obols — every where at work.
I wonder how they found their way down there?
Heracles. Oh, Theseus took them. — After that you'll see
Snakes and queer monsters, crowds and crowds.
Dionysos. Now don't:
Don't play at bogies! You can never move me.
Heracles. Then deep, deep mire and everlasting filth,
And wallowing there, such as have wronged a guest,
Or pickt a wench's pocket while they kisTher,
Beaten their mothers, smackt their fathers' jaws,
Or sworn perjurious oaths before high heaven.
Dionysos . And with them, I should hope, such as have learned
Kinesias's latest Battle Dance,
Or copied out a speech of Morsimos!
Heracles . Then you will find a breath about your ears
Of music, and a light about your eyes
Most beautiful — like this — and myrtle groves,
And joyous throngs of women and of men,
And clapping of glad hands.
Dionysos . And who will they be?
Heracles . The Initiated. . . .
And they will forthwith tell you all you seek.
They have their dwelling just beside the road,
At Pluto's very door. — So now good-by;
And a pleasant journey, brother. . . .

Dionysos . Why, here's a funeral just in time.

Enter a funeral.

Here, sir, — it's you I'm addressing — the defunct;
Do you care to carry a few traps to Hades?
The Corpse . How heavy?
Dionysos . What you see.
Corpse . You'll pay two drachmas?
Dionysos . Oh, come, that's rather much.
Corpse . Bearers, move on!
Dionysos . My good man, wait! See if we can't arrange.
Corpse . Two drachmas down, or else don't talk to me.
Dionysos . Nine obols?
Corpse . Strike me living if I will!