Cataplus

Hermes Here they are, Tisiphone. One thousand and four.

Tisiphone It is time we had them. Rhadamanthus has been waiting.

Rhadamanthus Bring them up, Tisiphone. Hermes, you call out their names as they are wanted.

Cynic Rhadamanthus, as you love your father Zeus, have me up first for examination.

Rhadamanthus Why?

Cynic There is a certain shade whose misdeeds on earth I am anxious to denounce. And if my evidence is to be worth anything, you must first be satisfied of my own character and conduct.

Rhadamanthus Who are you?

Cynic Cyniscus, your worship; a student of philosophy.

Rhadamanthus Come up for judgement; I will take you first. Hermes, summon the accusers.

Hermes If any one has an accusation to bring against Cyniscus here present, let him come forward.

Cynic No one stirs!

Rhadamanthus Ah, but that is not enough, my friend. Off with your clothes; I must have a look at your brands.

Cynic Brands? Where will you find them?

Rhadamanthus Never yet did mortal man sin, but he carried about the secret record thereof, branded on his soul.

Cynic Well, here I am stripped. Now for the ‘brands.’

Rhadamanthus Clean from head to heel, except three or four very faint marks, scarcely to be made out. Ah! what does this mean? Here is place after place that tells of the iron; all

Cynic Why, in old days, when I knew no better, I lived an evil life, and acquired thereby a number of brands. But from the day that I began to practise philosophy, little by little I washed out all the scars from my soul,—thanks to the efficiency of that admirable lotion.

Rhadamanthus Off with you'then to the Isles of the Blest, and the excellent company you will find there. But we must have your impeachment of the tyrant before you go.—Next shade, Hermes!