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287 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.