Mercury.. To your boat, philosopher.
[What is a blind man to question the voice of a god? He turns to the hated river, tapping the ground with his pole. Now comes a joke, one of the very oldest.
Momus.. One moment.
Hipponax.. [As he turns back, hopeful of respite.] What is it?
Momus.. How far would you have got if I hadn't called you back?
[Mercury hardly smiles. But Charon is abandoned to mirth. He slaps his old knees with his hands.
Charon.. He's a funny fellow.
Hipponax.. Dull clown!
[And he starts again. But there's another joke he must be part of, just as old and just as silly.
Momus.. No, no! Turn to the right, and to the right. Still to the right. And again to the right. That's right.