die. He looks at Hipponax with great contempt.

CHARON. Another of these philosophers!

HIPPONAX. I have rung this bell I don't know how many times.

CHARON. I heard you.

HIPPONAX. You heard me. [Then he swells.] Do you know who I am? Hipponax.

CHARON. Do you know who I am? Charon.

HIPPONAX. Charon!

[It is as if trees and rocks had begun to speak to him. His breath
goes, he fishes wildly for his book, his immortal work they called it,
so naturally he did manage to bring one copy out of the world with him.

There's no such--! [But Charon is so very real.] Oh! Well, I'll mention it
in a footnote.

CHARON. Stop your foolish talk, man, and stand up. Don't you see who is
with me?

HIPPONAX. There's no one with you.

[Then the voice of the god is heard. Music to us. And even to Hipponax,
now, it is as if the air round him were gently shaken.

CHARON. Take care.