He stands there in his
glory. But Hipponax still tugs at the bell and grumbles, for he sees
nothing but empty air.
HIPPONAX. [With a final snap and pull] Ferry!! Not a soul about.
ALICE. He can't see Mercury because he doesn't believe in him.
[Then comes Charon from the ferry with his long pole. He is but a
half-god and so can grow old, older and ever old, though he may never
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.
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