THE FROGS 287
Charon {not sarcastically^ hut civilly, in the way ofhusiness). Yes, to oblige you, I will id With all my heart — Step in there.
Bacchus. Have a care I
Take care, good Charon ! Charon, have a care !
Bacchus gets into the boat.
Come, Xanthias, come !
Charon. I take no slaves aboard
Except they 've volunteer'd for the naval victory.^ Xanthias. I could not : — I was suffering with sore eyes. 15
Charon. You must trudge away then, round by the
end of the lake there. S^anthias. And whereabouts shall I wait? Charon. At the Stone of Repentance,
By the Slough of Despond beyond the Tribula- tions ; You understand me ?
Xanthias. Yes, I understand you ;
A lucky, promising direction, truly.
Charon (to Bacchtis^. Sit down at the oar. 20
Come quick, if there 's more coming !
( To Bacchus again) Holloh ! what 's that you 're doing ?
[Bacchus is seated in a huffoonish attitude on the side of the boat where the oar was fastened.
Bacchus. What you told me.
I 'm sitting at the oar.
Charon. Sit there, I tell you,
You Fatguts ; that 's your place.
Bacchus (changes his jilace). Well, so 1 do.
^ The Athenians were in such straits for lack of soldiers that they ofiEered freedom to any slave who volunteered.
