Pluto

Well then, farewell, Aeschylus, go

1715

and save our city

with noble sentiments, and educate

the dunces. There's plenty of them.

And take this sword and give it to Cleophon,

and this rope to the tax collectors

1720

Myrmex and Nicomachus

and this hemlock to Archenomus. And tell them

to come to me here quickly

and not to delay. And if they don't come

quickly, by Apollo I'll

1725

brand and hobble them

and with Adeimantus son of Leucolophus

I'll send them quickly under the ground.

Aeschylus

I'll do it. But you hand over

my throne to Sophocles to guard

1730

and preserve, if I ever

come here again. For him I

judge to be second in talent.

And remember that that villainous fellow,

that liar, that clown

1735

will never sit on my throne

not even by accident.

Pluto

Shine now for him

your sacred torches, and escort

him, extolling him with his songs

1740

and dances.