Dialogi mortuorum

Lucian of Samosata

The Works of Lucian of Samosata, complete, with exceptions specified in thepreface, Vol. 1. Fowler, H. W. and Fowlere, F.G., translators. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1905.

Charon Your fare, you rascal.

Menippus Bawl away, Charon, if it gives you any pleasure.

Charon I brought you across: give me my fare.

Menippus I can’t, if I haven’t got it.

Charon And who is so poor that he has not got a penny?

Menippus I for one; I don’t know who else.

Charon Pay: or, by Pluto, I'll strangle you.

Menippus And Pll crack your skull with this stick.

Charon So you are to come all that way for nothing?

Menippus Let Hermes pay for me: he put me on board.