DIONYSUS. 'Tis hemlock you mean to say. HERACLES. Precisely so. DIONYSUS. That road is both cold and icy. Your legs get frozen at once.[405] HERACLES. Do you want me to tell you a very steep road, one that descends very quickly? DIONYSUS. Ah! with all my heart; I don't like long walks. HERACLES. Go to the Ceramicus.[406] DIONYSUS. And then? HERACLES. Mount to the top of the highest tower ... DIONYSUS. To do what? HERACLES. ... and there keep your eye on the torch, which is to be the signal. When the spectators demand it to be flung, fling yourself ... DIONYSUS. Where? HERACLES. ... down. DIONYSUS. But I should break the two hemispheres of my brain. Thanks for your road, but I don't want it. HERACLES. But which one then? DIONYSUS. The one you once travelled yourself. HERACLES. Ah! that's a long journey. First you will reach the edge of the vast, deep mere of Acheron. DIONYSUS. And how is that to be crossed? HERACLES. There is an ancient ferryman, Charon by name, who will pass you over in his little boat for a diobolus. DIONYSUS. Oh! what might the diobolus has everywhere! But however has it got as far as that? HERACLES. 'Twas Theseus who introduced its vogue.[407] After that you will see snakes and all sorts of fearful monsters ... 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? DIONYSUS. And be quick about it too. XANTHIAS. Oh, no, I adjure you! Rather hire one of the dead, who is going to Hades. DIONYSUS. And should I not find one.... XANTHIAS. Then you can take me. DIONYSUS. You talk sense. Ah! here they are just bringing a dead man along. Hi! man, 'tis you I'm addressing, you, dead fellow there! Will you carry a package to Pluto for me? DEAD MAN. Is't very heavy? DIONYSUS. This. (_He shows him the baggage, which Xanthias has laid on the ground._) DEAD MAN. You will pay me two drachmae. DIONYSUS. Oh! that's too dear.