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| ==== Dialogues of the Dead ==== | ==== Dialogues of the Dead ==== | ||
| - | === I === | + | === 1 === |
| //Diogenes. Pollux// | //Diogenes. Pollux// | ||
| - | //Diog// . Pollux, I have a commission for you; next time you go up - and I think it is your turn for earth tomorrow- if you come across Menippus the Cynic - you will find him about the Craneum at Corinth, or in the Lyceum, laughing at thephilosophers' disputes - well, give him this message:- Menippus, Diogenes advises you, if mortal subjects for laughter | + | //Diog// . Pollux, I have a commission for you; next time you go up - and I think it is your turn for earth tomorrow- if you come across Menippus the Cynic - you will find him about the Craneum at Corinth, or in the Lyceum, laughing at the philosophers' disputes - well, give him this message:- Menippus, Diogenes advises you, if mortal subjects for laughter |
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| - | {{: | ||
| //Pol// . I will tell him, Diogenes. But give me some idea of his appearance. | //Pol// . I will tell him, Diogenes. But give me some idea of his appearance. | ||
| - | //Diog// . Old, bald, with a cloak that allows him plenty of light and ventilation, | + | //Diog// . Old, bald, with a cloak that allows him plenty of light and ventilation, |
| //Pol// . Ah, I cannot mistake him now. | //Pol// . Ah, I cannot mistake him now. | ||
| Line 26: | Line 27: | ||
| //Pol// . Oh, I don't mind; go on. | //Pol// . Oh, I don't mind; go on. | ||
| - | //Diog// . Charge them generally to give up playing the fool, quarrelling over metaphysics, | + | //Diog// . Charge them generally to give up playing the fool, quarrelling over metaphysics, |
| //Pol// . Oh, but if I say anything against their wisdom, they will call me an ignorant blockhead. | //Pol// . Oh, but if I say anything against their wisdom, they will call me an ignorant blockhead. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 35: | ||
| //Pol// . Very well; rely upon me. | //Pol// . Very well; rely upon me. | ||
| - | //Diog// . And then, my most obliging of Polluxes, there is this for the rich:- O vain fools, why hoard gold? whyall | + | //Diog// . And then, my most obliging of Polluxes, there is this for the rich:- O vain fools, why hoard gold? why all these pains over interest sums and the adding of hundred to hundred, when you must shortly come to us with nothing beyond |
| //Pol// . They shall have their message too. | //Pol// . They shall have their message too. | ||
| - | //Diog// . Ah, and a word to the handsome and strong; Megillus of Corinth, and Damoxenus the wrestler will do.Inform them that auburn locks, eyes bright or black, rosy cheeks, are as little in fashion here as tense muscles or mightyshoulders; man and man are as like as two peas, tell them, when it comes to bare skull and no beauty. | + | //Diog// . Ah, and a word to the handsome and strong; Megillus of Corinth, and Damoxenus the wrestler will do. Inform them that auburn locks, eyes bright or black, rosy cheeks, are as little in fashion here as tense muscles or mighty shoulders; man and man are as like as two peas, tell them, when it comes to bare skull and no beauty. |
| //Pol// . That is to the handsome and strong; yes, I can manage that. | //Pol// . That is to the handsome and strong; yes, I can manage that. | ||
| - | //Diog// . Yes, my Spartan, and here is for the poor. There are a great many of them, very sorry for themselves | + | //Diog// . Yes, my Spartan, and here is for the poor. There are a great many of them, very sorry for themselves |
| //Pol// . No, no, Diogenes; leave Sparta alone; that is going too far; your other commissions I will execute. | //Pol// . No, no, Diogenes; leave Sparta alone; that is going too far; your other commissions I will execute. | ||
| Line 51: | Line 52: | ||
| - | === II === | + | === 2 === |
| //Before Pluto: Croesus, Midas, and Sardanapalus v. Menippus// | //Before Pluto: Croesus, Midas, and Sardanapalus v. Menippus// | ||
| - | //Cr// . Pluto, we can stand this snarling Cynic no longer in our neighbourhood; | + | //Cr// . Pluto, we can stand this snarling Cynic no longer in our neighbourhood; |
| //Pl// . Why, what harm does he do to your ghostly community? | //Pl// . Why, what harm does he do to your ghostly community? | ||
| - | //Cr// . Midas here, and Sardanapalus and I, can never get in a good cry over the old days of gold and luxury | + | //Cr// . Midas here, and Sardanapalus and I, can never get in a good cry over the old days of gold and luxury |
| //Pl// . Menippus, what's this I hear? | //Pl// . Menippus, what's this I hear? | ||
| - | //Me// . All perfectly true, Pluto. I detest these abject rascals! Not content with having lived the abominablelives | + | //Me// . All perfectly true, Pluto. I detest these abject rascals! Not content with having lived the abominable lives they did, they keep on talking about it now they are dead, and harping on the good old days. I take a positive pleasure |
| //Pl// . Yes, but you mustn' | //Pl// . Yes, but you mustn' | ||
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| //Pl// . It isn't that: but I won't have you quarrelling. | //Pl// . It isn't that: but I won't have you quarrelling. | ||
| - | //Me// . Well, you scum of your respective nations, let there be no misunderstanding; | + | //Me// . Well, you scum of your respective nations, let there be no misunderstanding; |
| //Cr// . Presumption! | //Cr// . Presumption! | ||
| - | //Me// . Not a bit of it. Yours was the presumption, | + | //Me// . Not a bit of it. Yours was the presumption, |
| //Cr// . Lost! Ah God! My treasure-heaps - | //Cr// . Lost! Ah God! My treasure-heaps - | ||
| Line 83: | Line 84: | ||
| //Sar// . My little comforts - | //Sar// . My little comforts - | ||
| - | //Me// . That's right: stick to it! You do the whining, and I'll chime in with a string of GNOTHI-SAUTONS, | + | //Me// . That's right: stick to it! You do the whining, and I'll chime in with a string of GNOTHI-SAUTONS, |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === III === | + | === 3 === |
| //Menippus. Amphilochus. Trophonius// | //Menippus. Amphilochus. Trophonius// | ||
| - | //Me// . Now I wonder how it is that you two dead men have been honoured with temples and taken for prophets; | + | //Me// . Now I wonder how it is that you two dead men have been honoured with temples and taken for prophets; |
| //Amp// . How can we help it, if they are fools enough to have such fancies about the dead? | //Amp// . How can we help it, if they are fools enough to have such fancies about the dead? | ||
| - | //Me// . Ah, they would never have had them, though, if you had not been charlatans in your lifetime, and pretendedto | + | //Me// . Ah, they would never have had them, though, if you had not been charlatans in your lifetime, and pretended to know the future and be able to foretell it to your clients. |
| - | //Tro// . Well, Menippus, Amphilochus can take his own line, if he likes; as for me, I //am// a Hero, and//do// give oracles to any one who comes down to me. It is pretty clear you were never at Lebadea, or you would not beso incredulous. | + | //Tro// . Well, Menippus, Amphilochus can take his own line, if he likes; as for me, I //am// a Hero, and//do// give oracles to anyone |
| - | //Me// . What do you mean? I must go to Lebadea, swaddle myself up in absurd linen, take a cake in my hand, andcrawl | + | //Me// . What do you mean? I must go to Lebadea, swaddle myself up in absurd linen, take a cake in my hand, and crawl through a narrow passage into a cave, before I could tell that you are a dead man, with nothing but knavery |
| //Tro// . He is half God, and half man. | //Tro// . He is half God, and half man. | ||
| - | //Me// . So what is neither man (as you imply) nor God, is both at once? Well, at present what has become of yourdiviner | + | //Me// . So what is neither man (as you imply) nor God, is both at once? Well, at present what has become of your diviner |
| //Tro// . He gives oracles in Boeotia. | //Tro// . He gives oracles in Boeotia. | ||
| - | //Me// . What you may mean is quite beyond me; the one thing I know for certain is that you are dead - the whole ofyou. | + | //Me// . What you may mean is quite beyond me; the one thing I know for certain is that you are dead - the whole of you. |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === IV === | + | === 4 === |
| //Hermes. Charon// | //Hermes. Charon// | ||
| Line 139: | Line 140: | ||
| //Her// . That's all; unless I have forgotten anything. When will you pay it? | //Her// . That's all; unless I have forgotten anything. When will you pay it? | ||
| - | //Ch// . I can't just now, Hermes; we shall have a war or a plague presently, and then the passengers will comeshoaling | + | //Ch// . I can't just now, Hermes; we shall have a war or a plague presently, and then the passengers will come shoaling |
| - | //Her// . So for the present I have nothing to do but sit down, and pray for the worst, as my only chance of gettingpaid? | + | //Her// . So for the present I have nothing to do but sit down, and pray for the worst, as my only chance of getting paid? |
| //Ch// . There is nothing else for it;- very little business doing just now, as you see, owing to the peace. | //Ch// . There is nothing else for it;- very little business doing just now, as you see, owing to the peace. | ||
| - | //Her// . That is just as well, though it does keep me waiting for my money. After all, though, Charon, in old daysmen | + | //Her// . That is just as well, though it does keep me waiting for my money. After all, though, Charon, in old days men were men; you remember the state they used to come down in,- all blood and wounds generally. Nowadays, a man is poisoned by his slave or his wife; or gets dropsy from overfeeding; |
| //Ch// . Ah; money is in great request. | //Ch// . Ah; money is in great request. | ||
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| - | === V === | + | === 5 === |
| //Pluto. Hermes// | //Pluto. Hermes// | ||
| - | //Pl// . You know that old, old fellow, Eucrates the millionaire - no children, but a few thousand would-beheirs? | + | //Pl// . You know that old, old fellow, Eucrates the millionaire - no children, but a few thousand would-be heirs? |
| //Her// . Yes - lives at Sicyon. Well? | //Her// . Yes - lives at Sicyon. Well? | ||
| - | //Pl// . Well, Hermes, he is ninety now; let him live as much longer, please; I should like it to be more still, | + | //Pl// . Well, Hermes, he is ninety now; let him live as much longer, please; I should like it to be more still, |
| //Her// . It would seem so strange, wouldn' | //Her// . It would seem so strange, wouldn' | ||
| - | //Pl// . On the contrary, it would be ideal justice. What business have they to pray for his death, or pretend | + | //Pl// . On the contrary, it would be ideal justice. What business have they to pray for his death, or pretend |
| - | //Her// . Well, they //are// rascals, and it would be a comic ending. He leads them a pretty life too, on hopegruel; he always looks more dead than alive, but he is tougher than a young man. They have divided up the inheritance | + | //Her// . Well, they //are// rascals, and it would be a comic ending. He leads them a pretty life too, on hope gruel; he always looks more dead than alive, but he is tougher than a young man. They have divided up the inheritance |
| - | //Pl// . Just so; now he is to throw off his years like Iolaus, and rejuvenate, while they in the middle of theirhopes | + | //Pl// . Just so; now he is to throw off his years like Iolaus, and rejuvenate, while they in the middle of their hopes find themselves here with their dream-wealth left behind them. Nothing like making the punishment fit the crime. |
| //Her// . Say no more, Pluto; I will fetch you them one after another; seven of them, is it? | //Her// . Say no more, Pluto; I will fetch you them one after another; seven of them, is it? | ||
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| - | === VI === | + | === 6 === |
| //Terpsion. Pluto// | //Terpsion. Pluto// | ||
| - | //Ter// . Now is this fair, Pluto,- that I should die at the age of thirty, and that old Thucritus go on living | + | //Ter// . Now is this fair, Pluto,- that I should die at the age of thirty, and that old Thucritus go on living |
| - | //Pl// . Nothing could be fairer. Thucritus lives and is in no hurry for his neighbours to die; whereas you alwayshad | + | //Pl// . Nothing could be fairer. Thucritus lives and is in no hurry for his neighbours to die; whereas you always had some design against him; you were waiting to step into his shoes. |
| - | //Ter// . Well, an old man like that is past getting any enjoyment out of his money; he ought to die, and make roomfor | + | //Ter// . Well, an old man like that is past getting any enjoyment out of his money; he ought to die, and make room for younger men. |
| - | //Pl// . This is a novel principle: the man who can no longer derive pleasure from his money is to die!- Fate andNature | + | //Pl// . This is a novel principle: the man who can no longer derive pleasure from his money is to die!- Fate and nature |
| - | //Ter// . Then they have ordered it wrongly. There ought to be a proper sequence according to seniority. Things | + | //Ter// . Then they have ordered it wrongly. There ought to be a proper sequence according to seniority. Things |
| - | //Pl// . There is a great deal more sound sense in it than you suppose, Terpsion. Besides, what right have you youngfellows | + | //Pl// . There is a great deal more sound sense in it than you suppose, Terpsion. Besides, what right have you young fellows |
| - | //Ter// . Too true! The luxuries that Thucritus has enjoyed at my expense! He always looked as if he were at thepoint | + | //Ter// . Too true! The luxuries that Thucritus has enjoyed at my expense! He always looked as if he were at the point of death. I never went to see him, but he would groan and squeak like a chicken barely out of the shell: I considered that he might step into his coffin at any moment, and heaped gift upon gift, for fear of being outdone in generosity by my rivals; I passed anxious, sleepless nights, reckoning and arranging all; 'twas this, the sleeplessness and the anxiety, |
| - | //Pl// . Well done, Thucritus! Long may you live to enjoy your wealth,- and your joke at the youngsters' | + | //Pl// . Well done, Thucritus! Long may you live to enjoy your wealth,- and your joke at the youngsters' |
| //Ter// . Now I think of it, it //would// be a satisfaction if Charoeades were to die before him. | //Ter// . Now I think of it, it //would// be a satisfaction if Charoeades were to die before him. | ||
| - | //Pl// . Charoeades! My dear Terpsion, Phido, Melanthus,- every one of them will be here before Thucritus, | + | //Pl// . Charoeades! My dear Terpsion, Phido, Melanthus,- every one of them will be here before Thucritus, |
| //Ter// . That is as it should be. Hold on, Thucritus! | //Ter// . That is as it should be. Hold on, Thucritus! | ||
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| - | === VII === | + | === 7 === |
| // | // | ||
| - | //Ze// . Ah, Callidemides, | + | //Ze// . Ah, Callidemides, |
| //Cal// . Yes, I was. Now there was an element of surprise about //my// fate. I suppose you know that oldPtoeodorus? | //Cal// . Yes, I was. Now there was an element of surprise about //my// fate. I suppose you know that oldPtoeodorus? | ||
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| //Ze// . The rich man with no children, to whom you gave most of your company? | //Ze// . The rich man with no children, to whom you gave most of your company? | ||
| - | //Cal// . That is the man; he had promised to leave me his heir, and I used to show my appreciation. However, | + | //Cal// . That is the man; he had promised to leave me his heir, and I used to show my appreciation. However, |
| //Ze// . And what happened? this is interesting. | //Ze// . And what happened? this is interesting. | ||
| - | //Cal// . When we came from bath, the young fellow had two cups ready, one with the poison for Ptoeodorus, and theother | + | //Cal// . When we came from bath, the young fellow had two cups ready, one with the poison for Ptoeodorus, and the other for me; but by some blunder he handed me the poisoned cup, and Ptoeodorus the plain; and behold, before he had done drinking, there was I sprawling on the ground, a vicarious corpse! Why are you laughing so, Zenophantus? |
| //Ze// . Well, it was such a humorous exit. And how did the old man behave? | //Ze// . Well, it was such a humorous exit. And how did the old man behave? | ||
| - | //Cal// . He was dreadfully distressed for the moment; then he saw, I suppose, and laughed as much as you over thebutler's trick. | + | //Cal// . He was dreadfully distressed for the moment; then he saw, I suppose, and laughed as much as you over the butler's trick. |
| //Ze// . Ah, short cuts are no better for you than for other people, you see; the high road would have been safer,if not quite so quick. | //Ze// . Ah, short cuts are no better for you than for other people, you see; the high road would have been safer,if not quite so quick. | ||
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| - | === VIII === | + | === 8 === |
| //Cnemon. Damnippus// | //Cnemon. Damnippus// | ||
| Line 241: | Line 242: | ||
| //Dam// . What's the matter, Cnemon? | //Dam// . What's the matter, Cnemon? | ||
| - | //Cne// . The matter! I have been fooled, miserably fooled. I have passed over all whom I should have liked to makemy | + | //Cne// . The matter! I have been fooled, miserably fooled. I have passed over all whom I should have liked to make my heirs, and left my money to the wrong man. |
| //Dam// . How was that? | //Dam// . How was that? | ||
| - | //Cne// . I had been speculating on the death of Hermolaus, the millionaire. He had no children, and my attentionshad | + | //Cne// . I had been speculating on the death of Hermolaus, the millionaire. He had no children, and my attentions had been well received by him. I thought it would be a good idea to let him know that I had made my will in his favour, |
| //Dam// . Yes; and Hermolaus? | //Dam// . Yes; and Hermolaus? | ||
| - | //Cne// . What //his// will was, I don't know. I died suddenly,- the roof came down about my ears; and nowHermolaus | + | //Cne// . What //his// will was, I don't know. I died suddenly,- the roof came down about my ears; and now Hermolaus |
| - | //Dam// . And your anglership into the bargain. The pit that you digged for other.... | + | //Dam// . And your anglership into the bargain. The pit that you digged for other... |
| //Cue// . That's about the truth of the matter, confound it. | //Cue// . That's about the truth of the matter, confound it. | ||
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| - | === IX === | + | === 9 === |
| //Simylus. Polystratus// | //Simylus. Polystratus// | ||
| Line 272: | Line 273: | ||
| //Si// . It is surprising that you could have any joy of your life - old, weak, and childless, moreover. | //Si// . It is surprising that you could have any joy of your life - old, weak, and childless, moreover. | ||
| - | //Pol// . In the first place, I could do just what I liked; there were still plenty of handsome boys and daintywomen; perfumes were sweet, wine kept its bouquet, Sicilian feasts were nothing to mine. | + | //Pol// . In the first place, I could do just what I liked; there were still plenty of handsome boys and dainty women; perfumes were sweet, wine kept its bouquet, Sicilian feasts were nothing to mine. |
| //Si// . This //is// a change, to be sure; you were very economical in my day. | //Si// . This //is// a change, to be sure; you were very economical in my day. | ||
| - | //Pol// . Ah, but, my simple friend, these good things were presents - came in streams. From dawn my doors werethronged | + | //Pol// . Ah, but, my simple friend, these good things were presents - came in streams. From dawn my doors were thronged |
| //Si// . Why, you must have seized the crown after my death. | //Si// . Why, you must have seized the crown after my death. | ||
| Line 284: | Line 285: | ||
| //Si// . Tender passions, indeed! what, you, an old man with hardly a tooth left in your head! | //Si// . Tender passions, indeed! what, you, an old man with hardly a tooth left in your head! | ||
| - | //Pol// . Certainly; the first of our townsmen were in love with me. Such as you see me, old, bald, blear-eyed, | + | //Pol// . Certainly; the first of our townsmen were in love with me. Such as you see me, old, bald, blear-eyed, rheumy, they delighted to do me honour; happy was the man on whom my glance rested a moment. |
| - | //Si// . Well, then, you had some adventure like Phaon' | + | //Si// . Well, then, you had some adventure like Phaon' |
| //Pol// . No, no; I was as you see me, and I was the object of all desire. | //Pol// . No, no; I was as you see me, and I was the object of all desire. | ||
| Line 292: | Line 293: | ||
| //Si// . Oh, I give it up. | //Si// . Oh, I give it up. | ||
| - | //Pol// . Why, I should have thought you knew the violent passion for old men who have plenty of money and nochildren. | + | //Pol// . Why, I should have thought you knew the violent passion for old men who have plenty of money and no children. |
| //Si// . Ah, now I comprehend your beauty, old fellow; it was the //Golden// Aphrodite bestowed it. | //Si// . Ah, now I comprehend your beauty, old fellow; it was the //Golden// Aphrodite bestowed it. | ||
| Line 300: | Line 301: | ||
| //Si// . And how did you dispose of your fortune in the end? | //Si// . And how did you dispose of your fortune in the end? | ||
| - | //Pol// . I gave each an express promise to make him my heir; he believed, and treated me to more attentions | + | //Pol// . I gave each an express promise to make him my heir; he believed, and treated me to more attentions |
| //Si// . Who was the heir by this one? one of your relations, I suppose. | //Si// . Who was the heir by this one? one of your relations, I suppose. | ||
| Line 312: | Line 313: | ||
| //Si// . Ah, I can guess his office. | //Si// . Ah, I can guess his office. | ||
| - | //Pol// . Well, you know, he deserved the inheritance much better than they did; he was a barbarian and a rascal;but by this time he has the best of society at his beck. So he inherited; and now he is one of the aristocracy; | + | //Pol// . Well, you know, he deserved the inheritance much better than they did; he was a barbarian and a rascal; but by this time he has the best of society at his beck. So he inherited; and now he is one of the aristocracy; |
| - | //Si// . Well, //I// don't mind; let him be Emperor of Greece, if he likes, so long as he keeps the propertyaway | + | //Si// . Well, //I// don't mind; let him be Emperor of Greece, if he likes, so long as he keeps the property away from that other crew. |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === X === | + | === 10 === |
| //Charon. Hermes. Various Shades// | //Charon. Hermes. Various Shades// | ||
| - | //Ch// . I'll tell you how things stand. Our craft, as you see, is small, and leaky, and three-parts rotten; | + | //Ch// . I'll tell you how things stand. Our craft, as you see, is small, and leaky, and three-parts rotten; |
| //Her// . Then how are we to make a trip of it? | //Her// . Then how are we to make a trip of it? | ||
| - | //Ch// . I'll tell you. They must leave all this nonsense behind them on shore, and come aboard in their skins. | + | //Ch// . I'll tell you. They must leave all this nonsense behind them on shore, and come aboard in their skins. |
| //Her// . Very good. Well, Number One, who are you? | //Her// . Very good. Well, Number One, who are you? | ||
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| //Men// . Menippus. Here are my wallet and staff; overboard with them. I had the sense not to bring my cloak. | //Men// . Menippus. Here are my wallet and staff; overboard with them. I had the sense not to bring my cloak. | ||
| - | //Her// . Pass on, Menippus; you're a good fellow; you shall have the seat of honour, up by the pilot, where you cansee | + | //Her// . Pass on, Menippus; you're a good fellow; you shall have the seat of honour, up by the pilot, where you can see every one.- Here is a handsome person; who is he? |
| //Char// . Charmoleos of Megara; the irresistible, | //Char// . Charmoleos of Megara; the irresistible, | ||
| - | //Her// . That beauty must come off,- lips, kisses, and all; the flowing locks, the blushing cheeks, the skinentire. That's right. Now we're in better trim;- you may pass on.- And who is the stunning gentleman in the purple and thediadem? | + | //Her// . That beauty must come off,- lips, kisses, and all; the flowing locks, the blushing cheeks, the skin entire. That's right. Now we're in better trim;- you may pass on.- And who is the stunning gentleman in the purple and the diadem? |
| //Lam// . I am Lampichus, tyrant of Gela. | //Lam// . I am Lampichus, tyrant of Gela. | ||
| Line 369: | Line 370: | ||
| //Dam// . You have. Well, I have peeled; let me pass. | //Dam// . You have. Well, I have peeled; let me pass. | ||
| - | //Her// . Peeled! my dear sir, what, with all this fleshy encumbrance? | + | //Her// . Peeled! my dear sir, what, with all this fleshy encumbrance? |
| //Dam// . There; no mistake about it this time; I am as light as any shade among them. | //Dam// . There; no mistake about it this time; I am as light as any shade among them. | ||
| - | //Her// . That's more the kind of thing. On with you.- Crato, you can take off that wealth and luxury | + | //Her// . That's more the kind of thing. On with you.- Crato, you can take off that wealth and luxury |
| //Cra// . Well, if I must, I must; there' | //Cra// . Well, if I must, I must; there' | ||
| Line 381: | Line 382: | ||
| //A General// . I am a great conqueror; a valiant warrior; my country' | //A General// . I am a great conqueror; a valiant warrior; my country' | ||
| - | //Her// . The trophy may stop behind; we are at peace; there is no demand for arms.- Whom have we here? whose isthis | + | //Her// . The trophy may stop behind; we are at peace; there is no demand for arms.- Whom have we here? whose is this knitted Drow, this flowing beard? 'Tis some reverend sage, if outside goes for anything; he mutters; he is wrapped |
| - | //Men// . That's a philosopher, | + | //Men// . That's a philosopher, |
| - | //Her// . Off with your clothes first; and then we will see to the rest. My goodness, what a bundle: quackery, | + | //Her// . Off with your clothes first; and then we will see to the rest. My goodness, what a bundle: quackery, ignorance, quarrelsomeness, |
| //A Philosopher// | //A Philosopher// | ||
| Line 403: | Line 404: | ||
| //Men// . A little off the eyebrows? | //Men// . A little off the eyebrows? | ||
| - | //Her// . Why, certainly; he has trained them up all over his forehead, for reasons best known to himself.- Worm!what, snivelling? afraid of death? Oh, get on board with you. | + | //Her// . Why, certainly; he has trained them up all over his forehead, for reasons best known to himself.- Worm! what, snivelling? afraid of death? Oh, get on board with you. |
| //Men// . He has still got the biggest thumper of all under his arm. | //Men// . He has still got the biggest thumper of all under his arm. | ||
| Line 411: | Line 412: | ||
| //Men// . Flattery; many is the good turn that has done him. | //Men// . Flattery; many is the good turn that has done him. | ||
| - | //Phil// . Oh, all right, Menippus; suppose you leave your independence behind you, and your plain - speaking, | + | //Phil// . Oh, all right, Menippus; suppose you leave your independence behind you, and your plain - speaking, |
| - | //Her// . Don't you, Menippus! you stick to them; useful commodities, | + | //Her// . Don't you, Menippus! you stick to them; useful commodities, |
| //Rhet// . Away they go. | //Rhet// . Away they go. | ||
| - | //Her// . All's ready. Loose the cable, and pull in the gangway; haul up the anchor; spread all sail; and, pilot,look to your helm. Good luck to our voyage!- What are you all whining about, you fools? You philosopher, | + | //Her// . All's ready. Loose the cable, and pull in the gangway; haul up the anchor; spread all sail; and, pilot, look to your helm. Good luck to our voyage!- What are you all whining about, you fools? You philosopher, |
| //Phil// . Ah, Hermes: I had thought that the soul was immortal. | //Phil// . Ah, Hermes: I had thought that the soul was immortal. | ||
| Line 425: | Line 426: | ||
| //Her// . What is it, then? | //Her// . What is it, then? | ||
| - | //Men// . He knows that he will never have a good dinner again; never sneak about at night with his cloak over hishead, going the round of the brothels; never spend his mornings in fooling boys out of their money, under the pretext | + | //Men// . He knows that he will never have a good dinner again; never sneak about at night with his cloak over his head, going the round of the brothels; never spend his mornings in fooling boys out of their money, under the pretext |
| //Phil// . And pray are //you// content to be dead? | //Phil// . And pray are //you// content to be dead? | ||
| - | //Men// . It may be presumed so, as I sought death of my own accord.- By the way, I surely heard a noise, as ifpeople | + | //Men// . It may be presumed so, as I sought death of my own accord.- By the way, I surely heard a noise, as if people |
| - | //Her// . You did; and from more than one quarter.- There are people running in a body to the Town-hall, | + | //Her// . You did; and from more than one quarter.- There are people running in a body to the Town-hall, |
| - | //Men// . Wait a bit: before long you will hear the mournful howl of dogs, and the beating of crows' wings, as theygather | + | //Men// . Wait a bit: before long you will hear the mournful howl of dogs, and the beating of crows' wings, as they gather |
| - | //Her// . I like your spirit.- However, here we are in port. Away with you all to the judgement-seat; | + | //Her// . I like your spirit.- However, here we are in port. Away with you all to the judgement-seat; |
| - | //Men// . Good voyage to you, Hermes.- Let us be getting on; what are you all waiting for? We have got to face thejudge, sooner or later; and by all accounts his sentences are no joke; wheels, rocks, vultures are mentioned. Every detailof | + | //Men// . Good voyage to you, Hermes.- Let us be getting on; what are you all waiting for? We have got to face the judge, sooner or later; and by all accounts his sentences are no joke; wheels, rocks, vultures are mentioned. Every detail of our lives will now come to light! |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === XI === | + | === 11 === |
| //Crates. Diogenes// | //Crates. Diogenes// | ||
| - | //Cra// . Did you know Moerichus of Corinth, Diogenes? A shipowner, rolling in money, with a cousin called Aristeas, | + | //Cra// . Did you know Moerichus of Corinth, Diogenes? A shipowner, rolling in money, with a cousin called Aristeas, nearly as rich. He had a Homeric quotation:- Wilt thou heave me? shall I heave thee? |
| - | When Ajax and Odysseus have wrestled for some time without either' | + | When Ajax and Odysseus have wrestled for some time without either' |
| //Diog// . What was the point of it? | //Diog// . What was the point of it? | ||
| - | //Cra// . Why, the cousins were of equal age, expected to succeed to each other' | + | //Cra// . Why, the cousins were of equal age, expected to succeed to each other' |
| //Diog// . And how did it end? I am quite curious. | //Diog// . And how did it end? I am quite curious. | ||
| - | //Cra// . They both died on the same day, and the properties passed to Eunomius and Thrasycles, two relations | + | //Cra// . They both died on the same day, and the properties passed to Eunomius and Thrasycles, two relations |
| - | //Diog// . Cleverly done. Now, when we were alive, we never had such designs on one another. I never prayed | + | //Diog// . Cleverly done. Now, when we were alive, we never had such designs on one another. I never prayed |
| - | //Cra// . Why, no; these things were superfluities to me - and to yourself, indeed. The real necessities | + | //Cra// . Why, no; these things were superfluities to me - and to yourself, indeed. The real necessities |
| //Diog// . You allude to -- | //Diog// . You allude to -- | ||
| Line 466: | Line 467: | ||
| //Cra// . Wisdom, independence, | //Cra// . Wisdom, independence, | ||
| - | //Diog// . To be sure; now I think of it, I did inherit all this from Antisthenes, | + | //Diog// . To be sure; now I think of it, I did inherit all this from Antisthenes, |
| - | //Cra// . Others, however, were not interested in such property; no one paid us the attentions of an expectant heir;they all lad their eyes on gold, instead. | + | //Cra// . Others, however, were not interested in such property; no one paid us the attentions of an expectant heir; they all lad their eyes on gold, instead. |
| - | //Diog// . Of course; they had no receptacle for such things as we could give; luxury had made them so leaky - asfull | + | //Diog// . Of course; they had no receptacle for such things as we could give; luxury had made them so leaky - as full of holes as a worn-out purse. Put wisdom, frankness, or truth into them, and it would have dropped out; the bottom |
| - | //Cra// . Result: our wealth will still be ours down here; while they will arrive with no more than one penny, | + | //Cra// . Result: our wealth will still be ours down here; while they will arrive with no more than one penny, |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XII === | + | === 12 === |
| // | // | ||
| Line 493: | Line 494: | ||
| //Mi// . Bless me, a distinguished pair! And what is the quarrel about? | //Mi// . Bless me, a distinguished pair! And what is the quarrel about? | ||
| - | //Alex// . It is a question of precedence. He says he is the better general: and I maintain that neither | + | //Alex// . It is a question of precedence. He says he is the better general: and I maintain that neither |
| //Mi// . Well, you shall each have your say in turn: the Libyan first. | //Mi// . Well, you shall each have your say in turn: the Libyan first. | ||
| - | //Han// . Fortunately for me, Minos, I have mastered Greek since I have been here; so that my adversary will nothave | + | //Han// . Fortunately for me, Minos, I have mastered Greek since I have been here; so that my adversary will not have even that advantage of me. Now I hold that the highest praise is due to those who have won their way to greatness |
| - | Alexander, on the other hand, in increasing and extending as he did the dominion which he had inherited from his father,was but following the impetus given to him by Fortune. And this conqueror had no sooner crushed his puny adversary by thevictories | + | Alexander, on the other hand, in increasing and extending as he did the dominion which he had inherited from his father, was but following the impetus given to him by Fortune. And this conqueror had no sooner crushed his puny adversary by the victories |
| //Mi// . Not bad, for a Libyan.- Well, Alexander, what do you say to that? | //Mi// . Not bad, for a Libyan.- Well, Alexander, what do you say to that? | ||
| - | //Alex// . Silence, Minos, would be the best answer to such confident self-assertion. The tongue of Fame willsuffice | + | //Alex// . Silence, Minos, would be the best answer to such confident self-assertion. The tongue of Fame will suffice |
| //Sci// . First, Minos, let me speak. | //Sci// . First, Minos, let me speak. | ||
| Line 513: | Line 514: | ||
| //Mi// . Well, and what have you to say? | //Mi// . Well, and what have you to say? | ||
| - | //Sci// . That Alexander is my superior, and I am Hannibal' | + | //Sci// . That Alexander is my superior, and I am Hannibal' |
| - | //Mi// . Honestly spoken, Scipio, on my word! Very well, then: Alexander comes first, and you next; and I think wemust | + | //Mi// . Honestly spoken, Scipio, on my word! Very well, then: Alexander comes first, and you next; and I think we must say Hannibal third. And a very creditable third, too. |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === XIII === | + | === 13 === |
| //Diogenes. Alexander// | //Diogenes. Alexander// | ||
| Line 532: | Line 533: | ||
| //Alex// . Apparently; if I had been Ammon' | //Alex// . Apparently; if I had been Ammon' | ||
| - | //Diog// . Strange! there were tales of the same order about Olympias too. A serpent visited her, and was seen inher bed; we were given to understand that that was how you came into the world, and Philip made a mistake when he took youfor | + | //Diog// . Strange! there were tales of the same order about Olympias too. A serpent visited her, and was seen in her bed; we were given to understand that that was how you came into the world, and Philip made a mistake when he took you for his. |
| - | //Alex// . Yes, I was told all that myself; however, I know now that my mother' | + | //Alex// . Yes, I was told all that myself; however, I know now that my mother' |
| - | //Diog// . Their lies were of some practical value to you, though; your divinity brought a good many people to theirknees. But now, whom did you leave your great empire to? | + | //Diog// . Their lies were of some practical value to you, though; your divinity brought a good many people to their knees. But now, whom did you leave your great empire to? |
| //Alex// . Diogenes, I cannot tell you. I had no time to leave any directions about it, beyond just giving Perdiccasmy ring as I died. Why are you laughing? | //Alex// . Diogenes, I cannot tell you. I had no time to leave any directions about it, beyond just giving Perdiccasmy ring as I died. Why are you laughing? | ||
| - | //Diog// . Oh, I was only thinking of the Greeks' | + | //Diog// . Oh, I was only thinking of the Greeks' |
| - | //Alex// . I have lain in Babylon a full month today; and Ptolemy of the Guards is pledged, as soon as he can get amoment's respite from present disturbances, | + | //Alex// . I have lain in Babylon a full month today; and Ptolemy of the Guards is pledged, as soon as he can get a moment's respite from present disturbances, |
| - | //Diog// . I have some reason to laugh, you see; still nursing vain hopes of developing into an Osiris or Anubis!Pray, | + | //Diog// . I have some reason to laugh, you see; still nursing vain hopes of developing into an Osiris or Anubis! Pray, your Godhead, put these expectations from you; none may re-ascend who has once sailed the lake and penetrated |
| - | //Alex// . Wise? call him the craftiest of all flatterers. Allow me to know a little more than other people | + | //Alex// . Wise? call him the craftiest of all flatterers. Allow me to know a little more than other people |
| - | //Diog// . Wouldst know thy course? I will prescribe for your distress. Our flora, unfortunately, | + | //Diog// . Wouldst know thy course? I will prescribe for your distress. Our flora, unfortunately, |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XIV === | + | === 14 === |
| //Philip. Alexander// | //Philip. Alexander// | ||
| Line 559: | Line 560: | ||
| //Phil// . You cannot deny that you are my son this time, Alexander; you would not have died if you had beenAmmon' | //Phil// . You cannot deny that you are my son this time, Alexander; you would not have died if you had beenAmmon' | ||
| - | //Alex// . I knew all the time that you, Philip, son of Amyntas, were my father. I only accepted the statement | + | //Alex// . I knew all the time that you, Philip, son of Amyntas, were my father. I only accepted the statement |
| //Phil// . What, to suffer yourself to be fooled by lying priests? | //Phil// . What, to suffer yourself to be fooled by lying priests? | ||
| - | //Alex// . No, but it had an awe-inspiring effect upon the barbarians. When they thought they had a God to dealwith, they gave up the struggle; which made their conquest a simple matter. | + | //Alex// . No, but it had an awe-inspiring effect upon the barbarians. When they thought they had a God to deal with, they gave up the struggle; which made their conquest a simple matter. |
| - | //Phil// . And whom did //you// ever conquer that was worth conquering? Your adversaries were ever timidcreatures, with their bows and their targets and their wicker shields. It was other work conquering the Greeks: Boeotians, | + | //Phil// . And whom did //you// ever conquer that was worth conquering? Your adversaries were ever timid creatures, with their bows and their targets and their wicker shields. It was other work conquering the Greeks: Boeotians, Phocians, Athenians; Arcadian hoplites, Thessalian cavalry, javelin-men from Elis, peltasts of Mantinea; Thracians, Illyrians, Paeonians; to subdue these was something. But for gold-laced womanish Medes and Persians and Chaldaeans, |
| - | //Alex// . Still, there were the Scythians, father, and the Indian elephants; they were no joke. And // | + | //Alex// . Still, there were the Scythians, father, and the Indian elephants; they were no joke. And // |
| - | //Phil// . I know all about that; I had it from Clitus, whom you ran through the body, in the middle of dinner, | + | //Phil// . I know all about that; I had it from Clitus, whom you ran through the body, in the middle of dinner, because he presumed to mention my achievements in the same breath with yours. They tell me too that you took to aping the manners |
| - | //Alex// . And have you nothing to say of my adventurous spirit, father, when I was the first to leap down withinthe | + | //Alex// . And have you nothing to say of my adventurous spirit, father, when I was the first to leap down within the ramparts of Oxydracae, and was covered with wounds? |
| - | //Phil// . Not a word. Not that it is a bad thing, in my opinion, for a king to get wounded occasionally, | + | //Phil// . Not a word. Not that it is a bad thing, in my opinion, for a king to get wounded occasionally, |
| - | //Alex// . The world thinks otherwise. I am ranked with Heracles and Dionysus; and, for that matter, I took Aornos, | + | //Alex// . The world thinks otherwise. I am ranked with Heracles and Dionysus; and, for that matter, I took Aornos, which was more than either of them could do. |
| - | //Phil// . There spoke the son of Ammon. Heracles and Dionysus, indeed! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, | + | //Phil// . There spoke the son of Ammon. Heracles and Dionysus, indeed! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Alexander; when will you learn to drop that bombast, and know yourself for the shade that you are? |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === XV === | + | === 15 === |
| // | // | ||
| - | //Ant// . Achilles, what you were saying to Odysseus the other day about death was very poor-spirited; | + | //Ant// . Achilles, what you were saying to Odysseus the other day about death was very poor-spirited; |
| - | //Ach// . In those days, son of Nestor, I knew not this place; ignorant whether of those two was the better, | + | //Ach// . In those days, son of Nestor, I knew not this place; ignorant whether of those two was the better, |
| - | //Ant// . But what help, Achilles? 'tis Nature' | + | //Ant// . But what help, Achilles? 'tis Nature' |
| - | //Ach// . Ay, your intent is friendly; but I know not, the thought of the past life irks me - and each of you too,if I mistake not. And if you confess it not, the worse for you, smothering your pain. | + | //Ach// . Ay, your intent is friendly; but I know not, the thought of the past life irks me - and each of you too, if I mistake not. And if you confess it not, the worse for you, smothering your pain. |
| - | //Ant// . Not the worse, Achilles; the better; for we see that speech is unavailing. Be silent, bear, endure - thatis | + | //Ant// . Not the worse, Achilles; the better; for we see that speech is unavailing. Be silent, bear, endure - that is our resolve, lest such longings bring mockery on us, as on you. |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XVI === | + | === 16 === |
| //Diogenes. Heracles// | //Diogenes. Heracles// | ||
| - | //Diog// . Surely this is Heracles I see? By his godhead, 'tis no other! The bow, the club, the lion' | + | //Diog// . Surely this is Heracles I see? By his godhead, 'tis no other! The bow, the club, the lion' |
| //Her// . Thou didst well. Heracles is with the Gods in Heaven, | //Her// . Thou didst well. Heracles is with the Gods in Heaven, | ||
| Line 611: | Line 612: | ||
| I am his phantom. | I am his phantom. | ||
| - | //Diog// . His phantom! What then, can one half of any one be a God, and the other half mortal? | + | //Diog// . His phantom! What then, can one half of anyone |
| //Her// . Even so. The God still lives. 'Tis I, his counterpart, | //Her// . Even so. The God still lives. 'Tis I, his counterpart, | ||
| Line 619: | Line 620: | ||
| //Her// . 'Tis somewhat as thou hast said. | //Her// . 'Tis somewhat as thou hast said. | ||
| - | //Diog// . Well, but where were Aeacus' | + | //Diog// . Well, but where were Aeacus' |
| //Her// . I was made very like to him. | //Her// . I was made very like to him. | ||
| - | //Diog// . I believe you! Very like indeed, no difference at all! Why, we may find it's the other way round, | + | //Diog// . I believe you! Very like indeed, no difference at all! Why, we may find it's the other way round, |
| //Her// . Prating knave, no more of thy gibes; else thou shalt presently learn how great a God calls me phantom. | //Her// . Prating knave, no more of thy gibes; else thou shalt presently learn how great a God calls me phantom. | ||
| - | //Diog// . H'm. That bow looks as if it meant business. And yet,- what have I to fear now? A man can die but once.Tell me, phantom,- by your great Substance I adjure you - did you serve him in your present capacity in the upper world? | + | //Diog// . H'm. That bow looks as if it meant business. And yet,- what have I to fear now? A man can die but once. Tell me, phantom,- by your great Substance I adjure you - did you serve him in your present capacity in the upper world? Perhaps you were one individual during your lives, the separation taking place only at your deaths, when he, the God, soared heavenwards, and you, the phantom, very properly made your appearance here? |
| - | //Her// . Thy ribald questions were best unanswered. Yet thus much thou shalt know.- All that was Amphitryon | + | //Her// . Thy ribald questions were best unanswered. Yet thus much thou shalt know.- All that was Amphitryon |
| - | //Diog// . Ah, now I see! Alcmena had twins, you mean,- Heracles the son of Zeus, and Heracles the son ofAmphitryon? You were really half-bothers | + | //Diog// . Ah, now I see! Alcmena had twins, you mean,- Heracles the son of Zeus, and Heracles the son of Amphitryon? You were really half-brothers |
| //Her// . Fool! not so. We twain were one Heracles. | //Her// . Fool! not so. We twain were one Heracles. | ||
| - | //Diog// . It's a little difficult to grasp, the two Heracleses packed into one. I suppose you must have been like asort of Centaur, man and God all mixed together? | + | //Diog// . It's a little difficult to grasp, the two Heracleses packed into one. I suppose you must have been like a sort of Centaur, man and God all mixed together? |
| - | //Her// . And are not all thus composed of two elements,- the body and the soul? What then should hinder the soulfrom | + | //Her// . And are not all thus composed of two elements,- the body and the soul? What then should hinder the soul from being in Heaven, with Zeus who gave it, and the mortal part - myself - among the dead? |
| - | //Diog// . Yes, yes, my esteemed son of Amphitryon, | + | //Diog// . Yes, yes, my esteemed son of Amphitryon, |
| //Her// . //Three// ? | //Her// . //Three// ? | ||
| - | //Diog// . Yes; look here. One in Heaven: one in Hades, that's you, the phantom: and lastly the body, which by thistime | + | //Diog// . Yes; look here. One in Heaven: one in Hades, that's you, the phantom: and lastly the body, which by this time has returned to dust. That makes three. Can you think of a good father for number Three? |
| //Her// . Impudent quibbler! And who art //thou// ? | //Her// . Impudent quibbler! And who art //thou// ? | ||
| Line 652: | Line 653: | ||
| - | === XVII === | + | === 17 === |
| //Menippus. Tantalus// | //Menippus. Tantalus// | ||
| Line 662: | Line 663: | ||
| //Me// . What, not enterprise enough to bend down to it, or scoop up some in your palm? | //Me// . What, not enterprise enough to bend down to it, or scoop up some in your palm? | ||
| - | //Tan// . It is no use bending down; the water shrinks away as soon as it sees me coming. And if I do scoop it upand get it to my mouth, the outside of my lips is hardly moist before it has managed to run through my fingers, and my handis | + | //Tan// . It is no use bending down; the water shrinks away as soon as it sees me coming. And if I do scoop it up and get it to my mouth, the outside of my lips is hardly moist before it has managed to run through my fingers, and my hand is as dry as ever. |
| - | //Me// . A very odd experience, that. But by the way, why do you want to drink? you have no body - the part of youthat | + | //Me// . A very odd experience, that. But by the way, why do you want to drink? you have no body - the part of you that was liable to hunger and thirst is buried in Lydia somewhere; how can you, the spirit, hunger or thirst any more? |
| //Tan// . Therein lies my punishment - soul thirsts as if it were body. | //Tan// . Therein lies my punishment - soul thirsts as if it were body. | ||
| - | //Me// . Well, let that pass, as you say thirst is your punishment. But why do you mind it? are you afraid of//dying// , for want of drink? I do not know of any second Hades; can you die to this one, and go further? | + | //Me// . Well, let that pass, as you say thirst is your punishment. But why do you mind it? are you afraid of// |
| - | //Tan// . No, that is quite true. But you see this is part of the sentence: I must long for drink, though I have noneed | + | //Tan// . No, that is quite true. But you see this is part of the sentence: I must long for drink, though I have no need of it. |
| //Me// . There is no meaning in that. There //is// a draught you need, though; some neat hellebore is what//you// want; you are suffering from a converse hydrophobia; | //Me// . There is no meaning in that. There //is// a draught you need, though; some neat hellebore is what//you// want; you are suffering from a converse hydrophobia; | ||
| Line 676: | Line 677: | ||
| //Tan// . I would as life drink hellebore as anything, if I could but drink. | //Tan// . I would as life drink hellebore as anything, if I could but drink. | ||
| - | //Me// . Never fear, Tantalus; neither you nor any other ghost will ever do that; it is impossible, you see; just aswell | + | //Me// . Never fear, Tantalus; neither you nor any other ghost will ever do that; it is impossible, you see; just as well we have not all got a penal thirst like you, with the water running away from us. |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XVIII === | + | === 18 === |
| //Menippus. Hermes// | //Menippus. Hermes// | ||
| Line 687: | Line 688: | ||
| //Me// . Where are all the beauties, Hermes? Show me round; I am a new-comer. | //Me// . Where are all the beauties, Hermes? Show me round; I am a new-comer. | ||
| - | //Her// . I am busy, Menippus. But look over there to your right, and you will see Hyacinth, Narcissus, Nireus, | + | //Her// . I am busy, Menippus. But look over there to your right, and you will see Hyacinth, Narcissus, Nireus, Achilles, Tyro, Helen, Leda,- all the beauties of old. |
| //Me// . I can only see bones, and bare skulls; most of them are exactly alike. | //Me// . I can only see bones, and bare skulls; most of them are exactly alike. | ||
| Line 697: | Line 698: | ||
| //Her// . This skull is Helen. | //Her// . This skull is Helen. | ||
| - | //Me// . And for this a thousand ships carried warriors from every part of Greece; Greeks and barbarians were slain,and cities made desolate. | + | //Me// . And for this a thousand ships carried warriors from every part of Greece; Greeks and barbarians were slain, and cities made desolate. |
| //Her// . Ah, Menippus, you never saw the living Helen; or you would have said with Homer, | //Her// . Ah, Menippus, you never saw the living Helen; or you would have said with Homer, | ||
| Line 703: | Line 704: | ||
| Well might they suffer grievous years of toil Who strove for such a prize. | Well might they suffer grievous years of toil Who strove for such a prize. | ||
| - | We look at withered flowers, whose dye is gone from them, and what can we call them but unlovely things? Yet in the hourof | + | We look at withered flowers, whose dye is gone from them, and what can we call them but unlovely things? Yet in the hour of their bloom these unlovely things were things of beauty. |
| - | //Me// . Strange, that the Greeks could not realize what it was for which they laboured; how short-lived, | + | //Me// . Strange, that the Greeks could not realize what it was for which they laboured; how short-lived, |
| - | //Her// . I have no time for moralizing. Choose your spot, where you will, and lie down. I must go to fetch newdead. | + | //Her// . I have no time for moralizing. Choose your spot, where you will, and lie down. I must go to fetch new dead. |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === XIX === | + | === 19 === |
| //Aeacus. Protesilaus. Menelaus. Paris// | //Aeacus. Protesilaus. Menelaus. Paris// | ||
| Line 724: | Line 725: | ||
| //Pro// . That is true; he shall answer it. | //Pro// . That is true; he shall answer it. | ||
| - | //Me// . No, no, my dear sir; Paris surely is the man; he outraged all rights in carrying off his host's wife withhim. //He// deserves throttling, if you like, and not from you only, but from Greeks and barbarians as well, for allthe | + | //Me// . No, no, my dear sir; Paris surely is the man; he outraged all rights in carrying off his host's wife with him. //He// deserves throttling, if you like, and not from you only, but from Greeks and barbarians as well, for all the deaths he brought upon them. |
| //Pro// . Ah, now I have it. Here, you - you //Paris! you// shall not escape my clutches. | //Pro// . Ah, now I have it. Here, you - you //Paris! you// shall not escape my clutches. | ||
| - | //Pa// . Oh, come, sir, you will never wrong one of the same gentle craft as yourself. Am I not a lover too, and asubject | + | //Pa// . Oh, come, sir, you will never wrong one of the same gentle craft as yourself. Am I not a lover too, and a subject |
| //Pro// . There is reason in that. Oh, would that I had Love himself here in these hands! | //Pro// . There is reason in that. Oh, would that I had Love himself here in these hands! | ||
| - | //Aea// . Permit me to charge myself with his defence. He does not absolutely deny his responsibility for Paris' | + | //Aea// . Permit me to charge myself with his defence. He does not absolutely deny his responsibility for Paris' |
| //Pro// . Now it is my turn to correct, Aeacus. The blame does not rest with me, but with Fate; so was my threadspun from the beginning. | //Pro// . Now it is my turn to correct, Aeacus. The blame does not rest with me, but with Fate; so was my threadspun from the beginning. | ||
| Line 741: | Line 742: | ||
| - | === XX === | + | === 20 === |
| //Menippus. Aeacus. Various Shades// | //Menippus. Aeacus. Various Shades// | ||
| Line 747: | Line 748: | ||
| //Me// . In Pluto' | //Me// . In Pluto' | ||
| - | //Aea// . That would be rather an undertaking, | + | //Aea// . That would be rather an undertaking, |
| - | //Me// . Yes, and you are the gate-keeper; | + | //Me// . Yes, and you are the gate-keeper; |
| - | //Aea// . This is Agamemnon; this is Achilles; near him, Idomeneus; next comes Odysseus; then Ajax, Diomede, and allthe | + | //Aea// . This is Agamemnon; this is Achilles; near him, Idomeneus; next comes Odysseus; then Ajax, Diomede, and all the great Greeks. |
| - | //Me// . Why, Homer, Homer, what is this? All your great heroes flung down upon the earth, shapeless, | + | //Me// . Why, Homer, Homer, what is this? All your great heroes flung down upon the earth, shapeless, undistinguishable; |
| - | //Aea// . That is Cyrus; and here is Croesus; beyond him Sardanapalus, | + | //Aea// . That is Cyrus; and here is Croesus; beyond him Sardanapalus, |
| //Me// . Ha! and it was before this creature that Greece trembled? this is our yoker of Hellesponts, | //Me// . Ha! and it was before this creature that Greece trembled? this is our yoker of Hellesponts, | ||
| Line 779: | Line 780: | ||
| //Me// . Beans, friend; you don't like beans. | //Me// . Beans, friend; you don't like beans. | ||
| - | //Py// . Try me. My principles have changed with my quarters. I find that down here our parents' | + | //Py// . Try me. My principles have changed with my quarters. I find that down here our parents' |
| - | //Aea// . Here is Solon, the son of Execestides, | + | //Aea// . Here is Solon, the son of Execestides, |
| //Aea// . That is Empedocles. He was half-roasted when he got here from Etna. | //Aea// . That is Empedocles. He was half-roasted when he got here from Etna. | ||
| Line 789: | Line 790: | ||
| //Em// . I did it in a fit of melancholy. | //Em// . I did it in a fit of melancholy. | ||
| - | //Me// . Not you. Vanity, pride, folly; these were what burnt you up, slippers and all; and serve you right. | + | //Me// . Not you. Vanity, pride, folly; these were what burnt you up, slippers and all; and serve you right. |
| //Aea// . He is generally talking nonsense with Nestor and Palamedes. | //Aea// . He is generally talking nonsense with Nestor and Palamedes. | ||
| Line 807: | Line 808: | ||
| //Soc// . How goes it in Athens? | //Soc// . How goes it in Athens? | ||
| - | //Me// . There are a great many young men there professing philosophy; and to judge from their dress and their walk,they should be perfect in it. | + | //Me// . There are a great many young men there professing philosophy; and to judge from their dress and their walk, they should be perfect in it. |
| //Soc// . I have seen many such. | //Soc// . I have seen many such. | ||
| - | //Me// . For that matter, I suppose you saw Aristippus arrive, reeking with scent; and Plato, the polished | + | //Me// . For that matter, I suppose you saw Aristippus arrive, reeking with scent; and Plato, the polished |
| //Soc// . And what do they think about //me// in Athens? | //Soc// . And what do they think about //me// in Athens? | ||
| - | //Me// . Ah, you are fortunate in that respect. You pass for a most remarkable man, omniscient in fact. And all thetime | + | //Me// . Ah, you are fortunate in that respect. You pass for a most remarkable man, omniscient in fact. And all the time - if the truth must out - you know absolutely nothing. |
| //Soc// . I told them that myself: but they would have it that that was my irony. | //Soc// . I told them that myself: but they would have it that that was my irony. | ||
| Line 827: | Line 828: | ||
| //Soc// . How could I be better occupied? Will you join us? | //Soc// . How could I be better occupied? Will you join us? | ||
| - | //Me// . No, thank you; I am off, to take up my quarters by Croesus and Sardanapalus. I expect huge entertainmentfrom | + | //Me// . No, thank you; I am off, to take up my quarters by Croesus and Sardanapalus. I expect huge entertainment from their outcries. |
| - | //Aea// . I must be off, too; or some one may escape. You shall see the rest another day, Menippus. | + | //Aea// . I must be off, too; or someone |
| //Me// . I need not detain you. I have seen enough. | //Me// . I need not detain you. I have seen enough. | ||
| Line 836: | Line 837: | ||
| - | === XXI === | + | === 21 === |
| //Menippus. Cerberus// | //Menippus. Cerberus// | ||
| - | //Me// . My dear coz - for Cerberus and Cynic are surely related through the dog - I adjure you by the Styx, tell mehow Socrates behaved during the descent. A God like you can doubtless articulate instead of barking, if he chooses. | + | //Me// . My dear coz - for Cerberus and Cynic are surely related through the dog - I adjure you by the Styx, tell me how Socrates behaved during the descent. A God like you can doubtless articulate instead of barking, if he chooses. |
| - | //Cer// . Well, while he was some way off, he seemed quite unshaken; and I thought he was bent on letting the peopleoutside | + | //Cer// . Well, while he was some way off, he seemed quite unshaken; and I thought he was bent on letting the people outside |
| //Me// . So //he// was one of the theorists, was he? His indifference was a sham? | //Me// . So //he// was one of the theorists, was he? His indifference was a sham? | ||
| - | //Cer// . Yes; it was only that he accepted the inevitable, and put a bold face on it, pretending to welcome | + | //Cer// . Yes; it was only that he accepted the inevitable, and put a bold face on it, pretending to welcome |
| //Me// . What did you think of //my// performance? | //Me// . What did you think of //my// performance? | ||
| - | //Cer// . Ah, Menippus, you were the exception; you are a credit to the breed, and so was Diogenes before you. Youtwo | + | //Cer// . Ah, Menippus, you were the exception; you are a credit to the breed, and so was Diogenes before you. You two came in without any compulsion or pushing, of your own free will, with a laugh for yourselves and a curse for the rest. |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === XXII === | + | === 22 === |
| //Charon. Menippus. Hermes// | //Charon. Menippus. Hermes// | ||
| Line 883: | Line 884: | ||
| //Ch// . I'm not going to let you off. | //Ch// . I'm not going to let you off. | ||
| - | //Me// . You can haul up your ship and wait, for all I care. If I have not got the money, I can't pay you, canI? | + | //Me// . You can haul up your ship and wait, for all I care. If I have not got the money, I can't pay you, can I? |
| //Ch// . You knew you ought to bring it? | //Ch// . You knew you ought to bring it? | ||
| Line 891: | Line 892: | ||
| //Ch// . So you are to have the distinction of being the only passenger that ever crossed gratis? | //Ch// . So you are to have the distinction of being the only passenger that ever crossed gratis? | ||
| - | //Me// . Oh, come now: gratis! I took an oar, and I baled; and I didn't cry, which is more than can be said for anyof the others. | + | //Me// . Oh, come now: gratis! I took an oar, and I baled; and I didn't cry, which is more than can be said for any of the others. |
| //Ch// . That's neither here nor there. I must have my penny; it's only right. | //Ch// . That's neither here nor there. I must have my penny; it's only right. | ||
| Line 905: | Line 906: | ||
| //Me// . Beans: have some?- and a Hecate' | //Me// . Beans: have some?- and a Hecate' | ||
| - | //Ch// . Where did you pick up this Cynic, Hermes? The noise he made on the crossing, too! laughing and jeering | + | //Ch// . Where did you pick up this Cynic, Hermes? The noise he made on the crossing, too! laughing and jeering |
| //Her// . Ah, Charon, you little know your passenger! Independence, | //Her// . Ah, Charon, you little know your passenger! Independence, | ||
| Line 916: | Line 917: | ||
| - | === XXIII === | + | === 23 === |
| // | // | ||
| Line 924: | Line 925: | ||
| //Pl// . What do you want? who are you? | //Pl// . What do you want? who are you? | ||
| - | //Pro// . Protesilaus, | + | //Pro// . Protesilaus, |
| //Pl// . Ah, friend, that is the love that all these dead men love, and none shall ever win. | //Pl// . Ah, friend, that is the love that all these dead men love, and none shall ever win. | ||
| - | //Pro// . Nay, dread lord, 'tis not life I love, but the bride that I left new wedded in my chamber that day Isailed | + | //Pro// . Nay, dread lord, 'tis not life I love, but the bride that I left new wedded in my chamber that day I sailed |
| //Pl// . Did you miss your dose of Lethe, man? | //Pl// . Did you miss your dose of Lethe, man? | ||
| Line 944: | Line 945: | ||
| //Pl// . It may not be; it never has been. | //Pl// . It may not be; it never has been. | ||
| - | //Pro// . Bethink thee, Pluto. 'Twas for this same cause that ye gave Orpheus his Eurydice; and Heracles | + | //Pro// . Bethink thee, Pluto. 'Twas for this same cause that ye gave Orpheus his Eurydice; and Heracles |
| - | //Pl// . Would you like to present that bare ugly skull to your fair bride? will she admit you, when she cannot | + | //Pl// . Would you like to present that bare ugly skull to your fair bride? will she admit you, when she cannot |
| - | //Per// . Husband, doctor that disease yourself: tell Hermes, as soon as Protesilaus reaches the light, to touch himwith | + | //Per// . Husband, doctor that disease yourself: tell Hermes, as soon as Protesilaus reaches the light, to touch him with his wand, and make him young and fair as when he left the bridal chamber. |
| - | //Pl// . Well, I cannot refuse a lady. Hermes, take him up and turn him into a bridegroom. But mind, you sir, astrictly | + | //Pl// . Well, I cannot refuse a lady. Hermes, take him up and turn him into a bridegroom. But mind, you sir, a strictly |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XXIV === | + | === 24 === |
| //Diogenes. Mausolus// | //Diogenes. Mausolus// | ||
| Line 961: | Line 962: | ||
| //Diog// . Why so proud, Carian? How are you better than the rest of us? | //Diog// . Why so proud, Carian? How are you better than the rest of us? | ||
| - | //Man// . Sinopean, to begin with, I was a king; king of all Caria, ruler of many Lydians, subduer of islands, | + | //Man// . Sinopean, to begin with, I was a king; king of all Caria, ruler of many Lydians, subduer of islands, conqueror of well-nigh the whole of Ionia, even to the borders of Miletus. Further, I was comely, and of noble stature, |
| //Diog// . Kingship - beauty - heavy tomb; is that it? | //Diog// . Kingship - beauty - heavy tomb; is that it? | ||
| Line 967: | Line 968: | ||
| //Mau// . It is as you say. | //Mau// . It is as you say. | ||
| - | //Diog// . But, my handsome Mausolus, the power and the beauty are no longer there. If we were to appoint an umpirenow | + | //Diog// . But, my handsome Mausolus, the power and the beauty are no longer there. If we were to appoint an umpire now on the question of comeliness, I see no reason why he should prefer your skull to mine. Both are bald, and bare of flesh; our teeth are equally in evidence; each of us has lost his eyes, and each is snub-nosed. Then as to the tomb and the costly |
| //Mau// . Then all is to go for nothing? Mausolus and Diogenes are to rank as equals? | //Mau// . Then all is to go for nothing? Mausolus and Diogenes are to rank as equals? | ||
| - | //Diog// . Equals! My dear sir, no; I don't say that. While Mausolus is groaning over the memories of earth, and thefelicity | + | //Diog// . Equals! My dear sir, no; I don't say that. While Mausolus is groaning over the memories of earth, and the felicity |
| F. | F. | ||
| - | === XXV === | + | === 25 === |
| //Nireus. Thersites. Menippus// | //Nireus. Thersites. Menippus// | ||
| Line 988: | Line 989: | ||
| //Me// . Which is which? I cannot tell that yet. | //Me// . Which is which? I cannot tell that yet. | ||
| - | //Ther// . One to me; I am like you; you have no such superiority as Homer (blind, by the way) gave you when hecalled | + | //Ther// . One to me; I am like you; you have no such superiority as Homer (blind, by the way) gave you when he called |
| //Ni// . I, of course, I, the son of Aglaia and Charopus, | //Ni// . I, of course, I, the son of Aglaia and Charopus, | ||
| Line 994: | Line 995: | ||
| Comeliest of all that came 'neath Trojan walls. | Comeliest of all that came 'neath Trojan walls. | ||
| - | //Me// . But not comeliest of all that come 'neath the earth, as far as I know. Your bones are much like otherpeople's; and the only difference between your two skulls is that yours would not take much to stove it in. It is a tenderarticle, something short of masculine. | + | //Me// . But not comeliest of all that come 'neath the earth, as far as I know. Your bones are much like other people's; and the only difference between your two skulls is that yours would not take much to stove it in. It is a tender article, something short of masculine. |
| //Ni// . Ask Homer what I was, when I sailed with the Achaeans. | //Ni// . Ask Homer what I was, when I sailed with the Achaeans. | ||
| Line 1002: | Line 1003: | ||
| //Ni// . Am I not handsomer here, Menippus? | //Ni// . Am I not handsomer here, Menippus? | ||
| - | //Me// . You are not handsome at all, nor any one else either. Hades is a democracy; one man is as good as anotherhere. | + | //Me// . You are not handsome at all, nor anyone |
| //Ther// . And a very tolerable arrangement too, if you ask me. | //Ther// . And a very tolerable arrangement too, if you ask me. | ||
| Line 1009: | Line 1010: | ||
| - | === XXVI === | + | === 26 === |
| //Menippus. Chiron// | //Menippus. Chiron// | ||
| Line 1019: | Line 1020: | ||
| //Me// . And what should possess you, to be in love with Death? He has no charm for most people. | //Me// . And what should possess you, to be in love with Death? He has no charm for most people. | ||
| - | //Chi// . You are a sensible fellow; I will tell you. There was no further satisfaction to be had fromimmortality. | + | //Chi// . You are a sensible fellow; I will tell you. There was no further satisfaction to be had from immortality. |
| //Me// . Was it not a pleasure merely to live and see the light? | //Me// . Was it not a pleasure merely to live and see the light? | ||
| - | //Chi// . No; it is variety, as I take it, and not monotony, that constitutes pleasure. Living on and on, everythingalways | + | //Chi// . No; it is variety, as I take it, and not monotony, that constitutes pleasure. Living on and on, everything always |
| //Me// . Very true, Chiron. And how have you got on since you made Hades your home? | //Me// . Very true, Chiron. And how have you got on since you made Hades your home? | ||
| - | //Chi// . Not unpleasantly. I like the truly republican equality that prevails; and as to whether one is in light ordarkness, that makes no difference at all. Then again there is no hunger or thirst here; one is independent of suchthings. | + | //Chi// . Not unpleasantly. I like the truly republican equality that prevails; and as to whether one is in light or darkness, that makes no difference at all. Then again there is no hunger or thirst here; one is independent of such things. |
| //Me// . Take care, Chiron! You may be caught in the snare of your own reasonings. | //Me// . Take care, Chiron! You may be caught in the snare of your own reasonings. | ||
| Line 1033: | Line 1034: | ||
| //Chi// . How should that be? | //Chi// . How should that be? | ||
| - | //Me// . Why, if the monotony of the other world brought on satiety, the monotony here may do the same. You willhave | + | //Me// . Why, if the monotony of the other world brought on satiety, the monotony here may do the same. You will have to look about for a further change, and I fancy there is no third life procurable. |
| //Chi// . Then what is to be done, Menippus? | //Chi// . Then what is to be done, Menippus? | ||
| Line 1042: | Line 1043: | ||
| - | === XXVII === | + | === 27 === |
| //Diogenes. Antisthenes. Crates// | //Diogenes. Antisthenes. Crates// | ||
| - | //Diog// . Now, friends, we have plenty of time; what say you to a stroll? we might go to the entrance and have alook at the new-comers - what they are and how they behave. | + | //Diog// . Now, friends, we have plenty of time; what say you to a stroll? we might go to the entrance and have a look at the new-comers - what they are and how they behave. |
| - | //Ant// . The very thing. It will be an amusing sight - some weeping, some imploring to be let go, some resisting; | + | //Ant// . The very thing. It will be an amusing sight - some weeping, some imploring to be let go, some resisting; when Hermes collars them, they will stick their heels in and throw their weight back; and all to no purpose. |
| //Cra// . Very well; and meanwhile, let me give you my experiences on the way down. | //Cra// . Very well; and meanwhile, let me give you my experiences on the way down. | ||
| Line 1054: | Line 1055: | ||
| //Diog// . Yes, go on, Crates; I dare say you saw some entertaining sights. | //Diog// . Yes, go on, Crates; I dare say you saw some entertaining sights. | ||
| - | //Cra// . We were a large party, of which the most distinguished were Ismenodorus, | + | //Cra// . We were a large party, of which the most distinguished were Ismenodorus, |
| //Ant// . How could it possibly be done simultaneously? | //Ant// . How could it possibly be done simultaneously? | ||
| - | //Cra// . Oh, quite simple. The Median was charging with his thirty-foot lance in front of him; the Thracian | + | //Cra// . Oh, quite simple. The Median was charging with his thirty-foot lance in front of him; the Thracian |
| - | //Ant// . When //I// came down, I did not keep with the crowd; I left them to their blubberings, | + | //Ant// . When //I// came down, I did not keep with the crowd; I left them to their blubberings, |
| - | //Diog// . You two have described your fellow passengers; now for mine. There came down with me Blepsias, | + | //Diog// . You two have described your fellow passengers; now for mine. There came down with me Blepsias, |
| - | But here we are at the gate; we must keep our eyes open, and get the earliest view. Lord, lord, what a mixed crowd! | + | But here we are at the gate; we must keep our eyes open, and get the earliest view. Lord, lord, what a mixed crowd! |
| //Pauper// . Not so. | //Pauper// . Not so. | ||
| Line 1074: | Line 1075: | ||
| //Diog// . I see; you were wealthy, and do not like leaving your boundless luxury to die. | //Diog// . I see; you were wealthy, and do not like leaving your boundless luxury to die. | ||
| - | //Pauper// . You are quite mistaken; I was near ninety, made a miserable livelihood out of my line and rod, wasexcessively | + | //Pauper// . You are quite mistaken; I was near ninety, made a miserable livelihood out of my line and rod, was excessively |
| //Diog// . And you still wished to live? | //Diog// . And you still wished to live? | ||
| Line 1080: | Line 1081: | ||
| //Pauper// . Ay, sweet is the light, and dread is death; would that one might escape it! | //Pauper// . Ay, sweet is the light, and dread is death; would that one might escape it! | ||
| - | //Diog// . You are beside yourself, old man; you are like a child kicking at the pricks, you contemporary of theferryman. Well, we need wonder no more at youth, when age is still in love with life; one would have thought it should | + | //Diog// . You are beside yourself, old man; you are like a child kicking at the pricks, you contemporary of the ferryman. Well, we need wonder no more at youth, when age is still in love with life; one would have thought it should |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XXVIII | + | === 28 === |
| //Menippus. Tiresias// | //Menippus. Tiresias// | ||
| - | //Me// . Whether you are blind or not, Tiresias, would be a difficult question. Eyeless sockets are the rule amongus; there is no telling Phineus from Lynceus nowadays. However, I know that you were a seer, and that you enjoy the uniquedistinction | + | //Me// . Whether you are blind or not, Tiresias, would be a difficult question. Eyeless sockets are the rule amongus; there is no telling Phineus from Lynceus nowadays. However, I know that you were a seer, and that you enjoy the unique distinction |
| - | //Ti// . The woman' | + | //Ti// . The woman' |
| - | //Me// . Well, but you have heard how Medea, in Euripides, compassionates her sex on their hard lot - on theintolerable | + | //Me// . Well, but you have heard how Medea, in Euripides, compassionates her sex on their hard lot - on the intolerable |
| //Ti// . What do you mean by that question, Menippus? | //Ti// . What do you mean by that question, Menippus? | ||
| Line 1105: | Line 1106: | ||
| //Ti// . Certainly. | //Ti// . Certainly. | ||
| - | //Me// . And your feminine characteristics gradually vanished, and you developed a beard, and became a man? Or didthe | + | //Me// . And your feminine characteristics gradually vanished, and you developed a beard, and became a man? Or did the change take place in a moment? |
| //Ti// . Whither does your question tend? One would think you doubted the fact. | //Ti// . Whither does your question tend? One would think you doubted the fact. | ||
| - | //Me// . And what should I do but doubt such a story? Am I to take it in, like a nincompoop, without asking | + | //Me// . And what should I do but doubt such a story? Am I to take it in, like a nincompoop, without asking |
| - | //Ti// . At that rate, I suppose you are equally incredulous when you hear of women being turned into birds or treesor | + | //Ti// . At that rate, I suppose you are equally incredulous when you hear of women being turned into birds or trees or beasts,- Aedon for instance, or Daphne, or Callisto? |
| - | //Me// . If I fall in with any of these ladies, I will see what they have to say about it. But to return, friend, | + | //Me// . If I fall in with any of these ladies, I will see what they have to say about it. But to return, friend, |
| - | //Ti// . Pooh, you know nothing of the matter. I once settled a dispute among the Gods, and was blinded by Hera formy pains; whereupon Zeus consoled me with the gift of prophecy. | + | //Ti// . Pooh, you know nothing of the matter. I once settled a dispute among the Gods, and was blinded by Hera for my pains; whereupon Zeus consoled me with the gift of prophecy. |
| //Me// . Ah, you love a lie still, Tiresias. But there, 'tis your trade. You prophets! There is no truth in you. | //Me// . Ah, you love a lie still, Tiresias. But there, 'tis your trade. You prophets! There is no truth in you. | ||
| Line 1122: | Line 1123: | ||
| - | === XXIX === | + | === 29 === |
| // | // | ||
| - | //Ag// . If you went mad and wrought your own destruction, | + | //Ag// . If you went mad and wrought your own destruction, |
| //Aj// . Had I not good reason? My madness lies at the door of my solitary rival for the arms. | //Aj// . Had I not good reason? My madness lies at the door of my solitary rival for the arms. | ||
| Line 1132: | Line 1133: | ||
| //Ag// . Did you expect to be unopposed, and carry it over us all without a contest? | //Ag// . Did you expect to be unopposed, and carry it over us all without a contest? | ||
| - | //Aj// . Surely, in such a matter. The armour was mine by natural right, seeing I was Achilles' | + | //Aj// . Surely, in such a matter. The armour was mine by natural right, seeing I was Achilles' |
| - | //Ag// . Blame Thetis, then, my good sir; it was she who, instead of delivering the inheritance to the next of kin,brought the arms and left the ownership an open question. | + | //Ag// . Blame Thetis, then, my good sir; it was she who, instead of delivering the inheritance to the next of kin, brought the arms and left the ownership an open question. |
| //Aj// . No, no; the guilt was in claiming them - alone, I mean. | //Aj// . No, no; the guilt was in claiming them - alone, I mean. | ||
| - | //Ag// . Surely, Ajax, a mere man may be forgiven the sin of coveting honour - that sweetest bait for which each oneof us adventured; nay, and he outdid you there, if a Trojan verdict counts. | + | //Ag// . Surely, Ajax, a mere man may be forgiven the sin of coveting honour - that sweetest bait for which each one of us adventured; nay, and he outdid you there, if a Trojan verdict counts. |
| - | //Aj// . Who inspired that verdict? I know, but about the Gods we may not speak. Let that pass; but cease to hate Odysseus? 'tis not in mypower, Agamemnon, though Athene' | + | //Aj// . Who inspired that verdict? I know, but about the Gods we may not speak. Let that pass; but cease to hate Odysseus? 'tis not in my power, Agamemnon, though Athene' |
| H. | H. | ||
| - | === XXX === | + | === 30 === |
| //Minos. Sostratus// | //Minos. Sostratus// | ||
| - | //Mi// . Sostratus, the pirate here, can be dropped into Pyriphlegethon, | + | //Mi// . Sostratus, the pirate here, can be dropped into Pyriphlegethon, |
| //Sos// . A word with you, Minos. See if there is not some justice in my plea. | //Sos// . A word with you, Minos. See if there is not some justice in my plea. | ||
| - | //Mi// . What, more pleadings? Have you not been convicted of villany | + | //Mi// . What, more pleadings? Have you not been convicted of villainy |
| //Sos// . I have. Yet consider whether my sentence is just. | //Sos// . I have. Yet consider whether my sentence is just. | ||
| Line 1167: | Line 1168: | ||
| //Mi// . Decreed, of course. | //Mi// . Decreed, of course. | ||
| - | //Sos// . Then all of us, whether we passed for honest men or rogues, were the instruments of Fate in all that wedid? | + | //Sos// . Then all of us, whether we passed for honest men or rogues, were the instruments of Fate in all that we did? |
| //Mi// . Certainly; Clotho prescribes the conduct of every man at his birth. | //Mi// . Certainly; Clotho prescribes the conduct of every man at his birth. | ||
| - | //Sos// . Now suppose a man commits a murder under compulsion of a power which he cannot resist, an executioner, | + | //Sos// . Now suppose a man commits a murder under compulsion of a power which he cannot resist, an executioner, |
| - | //Mi// . The judge, of course, or the tyrant. As well ask whether the sword is guilty, which is but the tool of hisanger | + | //Mi// . The judge, of course, or the tyrant. As well ask whether the sword is guilty, which is but the tool of his anger who is prime mover in the affair. |
| - | //Sos// . I am indebted to you for a further illustration of my argument. Again: a slave, sent by his master, | + | //Sos// . I am indebted to you for a further illustration of my argument. Again: a slave, sent by his master, |
| //Mi// . The sender; the bringer is but his minister. | //Mi// . The sender; the bringer is but his minister. | ||
| - | //Sos// . Observe then your injustice! You punish us who are but the slaves of Clotho' | + | //Sos// . Observe then your injustice! You punish us who are but the slaves of Clotho' |
| - | //Mi// . Ah, Sostratus; look closely enough, and you will find plenty of inconsistencies besides these. However, | + | //Mi// . Ah, Sostratus; look closely enough, and you will find plenty of inconsistencies besides these. However, |
home/texts_and_library/dialogues/dialogues-of-the-dead.1562436167.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019/07/06 13:02 by frank