DIONYSUS. Oh! don't try to frighten me and make me afraid, for I am quite decided.
HERACLES. … then a great slough with an eternal stench, a veritable cesspool, into which those are plunged who have wronged a guest, cheated a young boy out of the fee for his complaisance, beaten their mother, boxed their father's ears, taken a false oath or transcribed some tirade of Morsimus.[408]
DIONYSUS. For mercy's sake, add likewise—or learnt the Pyrrhic dance of
Cinesias.[409]
HERACLES. Further on 'twill be a gentle concert of flutes on every side, a brilliant light, just as there is here, myrtle groves, bands of happy men and women and noisy plaudits.
DIONYSUS. Who are these happy folk?
HERACLES. The initiate.[410]
XANTHIAS. And I am the ass that carries the Mysteries;[411] but I've had enough of it.
HERACLES. They will give you all the information you will need, for they
live close to Pluto's palace, indeed on the road that leads to it.
Farewell, brother, and an agreeable journey to you. (He returns into his
Temple.)
DIONYSUS. And you, good health. Slave! take up your load again.
XANTHIAS. Before having laid it down?