AESCHYLUS. They will be saved when they have learnt that the land of the foe is theirs and their own land belongs to the foe; that their vessels are their true wealth, the only one upon which they can rely.[532] DIONYSUS. That's true, but the dicasts devour everything.[533] PLUTO (_to Dionysus_). Now decide. DIONYSUS. 'Tis for you to decide, but I choose him whom my heart prefers. EURIPIDES. You called the gods to witness that you would bear me through; remember your oath and choose your friends. DIONYSUS. Yes, "my tongue has sworn."[534] ... But I choose Aeschylus. EURIPIDES. What have you done, you wretch? DIONYSUS. I? I have decided that Aeschylus is the victor. What then? EURIPIDES. And you dare to look me in the face after such a shameful deed? DIONYSUS. "Why shameful, if the spectators do not think so?"[535] EURIPIDES. Cruel wretch, will you leave me pitilessly among the dead? DIONYSUS. "Who knows if living be not dying,[536] if breathing be not feasting, if sleep be not a fleece?"[537] PLUTO. Enter my halls. Come, Dionysus. DIONYSUS. What shall we do there? PLUTO. I want to entertain my guests before they leave. DIONYSUS. Well said, by Zeus; 'tis the very thing to please me best. CHORUS. Blessed the man who has perfected wisdom! Everything is happiness for him. Behold Aeschylus; thanks to the talent, to the cleverness he has shown, he returns to his country; and his fellow-citizens, his relations, his friends will all hail his return with joy. Let us beware of jabbering with Socrates and of disdaining the sublime notes of the tragic Muse. To pass an idle life reeling off grandiloquent speeches and foolish quibbles, is the part of a madman. PLUTO. Farewell, Aeschylus! Go back to earth and may your noble precepts both save our city[538] and cure the mad; there are such, a many of them! Carry this rope from me to Cleophon, this one to Myrmex and Nichomachus, the public receivers, and this other one to Archenomous.[539] Bid them come here at once and without delay; if not, by Apollo, I will brand them with the hot iron.[540] I will make one bundle of them and Adimantus,[541] the son of Leucolophus,[542] and despatch the lot into hell with all possible speed. AESCHYLUS. I will do your bidding, and do you make Sophocles occupy my seat. Let him take and keep it for me, against I should ever return here. In fact I award him the second place among the tragic poets. As for this impostor, watch that he never usurps my throne, even should he be placed there in spite of himself. PLUTO (_to the Chorus of the Initiate_). Escort him with your sacred torches, singing to him as you go his own hymns and choruses.