Dialogi mortuorum

Menippus Well, let that pass, as you say thirst is your punishment. But why do you mind it? are you afraid of dying, for want of drink? I do not know of any second Hades; can you die to this one, and go further?

Tantalus No, that is quite true. But you see this is part of the sentence: I must long for drink, though I have no need of it.

Menippus There is no meaning in that. There is a draught you need, though; some neat hellebore is what you want; you are suffering from a converse hydrophobia; you are not afraid of water, but you are of thirst.

Tantalus I would as lief drink hellebore as anything, if I could but drink.

Menippus Never fear, ‘Tantalus; neither you nor any other ghost will ever do that; it is impossible, you see; just as well we have not all got a penal thirst like you, with the water running away from us.