Momus.. Yes, you're growing ever so dull. A week on earth will do you good ... if you're not too much of an old 'un.
Charon.. I'm not an old 'un.
Momus.. You are an old 'un.
[And when a thing isn't really funny, say it twice and it often sounds so. Charon is tempted.
Charon.. I can't leave the boat.
Hipponax.. Oh, take me back to earth again. They'll mock at me on the other side of this hellish river ... play tricks on me ...
Mercury.. Charon, give him your oar. He shall mind the boat till Monday. A final and a wholesome exercise in what he calls his philosophy, to row all day from a place he has never understood to a place he doesn't believe in.
Hipponax.. I can't row.
Momus.. You don't know what you can do till you try. You'll have more muscle by Monday.
Charon.. Can you get good wine below?