Dialogi mortuorum

Menippus Well, you had better take me back again to life.

Charon Yes, and get a thrashing from Aeacus for my pains! I like that.

Menippus Well, don’t bother me.

Charon Let me see what you have got in that wallet.

Menippus Beans: have some?—and a Hecate’s supper.

Charon Where did you pick up this Cynic, Hermes? The noise he made on the crossing, too! laughing and jeering at all the rest, and singing, when every one else was at his lamentations.

Hermes Ah, Charon, you little know your passenger! Independence, every inch of him: he cares for noone. 'Tis Menippus.

Charon Wait till I catch you——

Menippus Precisely; I'll wait—till you catch me again.

Protesilaus Lord, King, our Zeus! and thou, daughter of Demeter! grant a lover’s boon!

Pluto What do you want? who are you?

Protesilaus Protesilaus, son of Iphiclus, of Phylace, one of the Achaean host, the first that died at Troy. And the boon I ask is release and one day’s life.

Pluto Ah, friend, that is the love that all these dead men love, and none shall ever win.

Protesilaus Nay, dread lord, ’tis not life I love, but the bride that I left new wedded in my chamber that day I sailed away—ah me, to be slain by Hector as my foot touched land! My lord, that yearning gives me no peace. I return content, if she might look on me but for an hour.