Lucian of Samosata, Cataplus, Emily James Smith (Translator), 19

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Charon

Now, where shall he sit? Every seat is full, as you see.

Hermes

On the despot's shoulders, if you agree.

Klotho

Happy thought, Hermes.

Charon

Climb up, then, and set your foot on the villain's neck; and a fair voyage to us!

Kyniskos

Charon, it is fair to tell you the truth from this moment. I should not have an obol to pay you when I have got across, for I have nothing but this wallet, which you see, and this club. But if you want any baling done, I am ready, or even to take an oar. You will have no fault to find if only you give me a strong, wellbalanced oar.

Charon

Row, then; for even that is payment enough from you.

Kyniskos

Is it, or must I start a boat-song to give the time?

Charon

By all means, if you know some sailor's song.

Kyniskos

I know a number; but see, these others are wailing tearfully in opposition. They will put us out in our singing.

Cataplus. Lucian of Samosata. Emily James Smith (Translator). Medford, MA. Perseus 5.0.

Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.

Current edition Perseus

The Ferry (English) (Selections from Lucian. Smith, Emily James, translator. New York; Harper Brothers, 1892.)

Editions (1)

Κατάπλους ἢ Τύραννος Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 19 focus

Κλωθώ

μηδαμῶς, ἀλλὰ προσελάσαντες ἀναλάβωμεν αὐτόν· καὶ σύ, ὦ Ἑρμῆ, συνανάσπασον. ΧΑΡΩΝ ποῦ νῦν καθεδεῖται; μεστὰ γὰρ πάντα, ὡς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς

ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους, εἰ δοκεῖ, τοῦ τυράννου.

Κλωθώ

καλῶς ὁ Ἑρμῆς ἐνενόησεν.

Χάρων

ἀνάβαινε οὖν καὶ τὸν τένοντα τοῦ ἀλιτηρίου καταπάτει· ἡμεῖς δὲ εὐπλοῶμεν.

Κυνίσκος

ὦ Χάρων, καλῶς ἔχει σοι τὰς ἀληθείας ἐντεῦθεν εἰπεῖν. ἐγὼ τὸν ὀβολὸν μὲν οὐκ ἂν ἔχοιμι δοῦναί σοι καταπλεύσας· πλέον γὰρ οὐδέν ἐστι τῆς πήρας ἣν ὁρᾷς καὶ τουτουὶ τοῦ ξύλου· τἆλλα δὲ ἢ ἀντλεῖν, εἰ θέλεις, ἕτοιμος ἢ¹ πρόσκωπος εἶναι· μέμψῃ δὲ οὐδέν, ἢν εὐῆρες καὶ καρτερόν μοι ἐρετμὸν δῷς μόνον.

Χάρων

Ἔρεττε· καὶ τουτὶ γὰρ ἱκανὸν παρὰ σοῦ λαβεῖν.

Κυνίσκος

ἦ καὶ ὑποκελεῦσαι δεήσει;

Χάρων

νὴ Δία, ἤνπερ εἰδῇς κέλευσμά τι τῶν ναυτικῶν.

Κυνίσκος

οἶδα καὶ πολλά, ὦ Χάρων. ἀλλʼ, ὁρᾷς, ἀντεπηχοῦσιν οὗτοι δακρύοντες· ὥστε ἡμῖν τὸ ᾆσμα ἐπιταραχθήσεται.

Translations (2)

The Downward Journey, or the Tyrant Perseus (Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.) — 19 focus

CHARON

Where shall he sit? The boat’s full, as you see.

HERMES

On the shoulders of the tyrant, if you like.

CLOTHO

A happy thought, that of Hermes!

CHARON

Climb up, then, and set your feet on the sinner's neck. Let’s go on while the wind is fair.

CYNISCUS

Charon, I may as well tell you the truth here and now. I shan’t be able to pay you your obol when we come to land, for I have nothing more than the wallet which you see, and this club here. However, I am ready either to bale, if you like, or to row; you will have no fault to find if you only give me a stout, well-balanced oar.

CHARON

Pull an oar; that will be enough to exact of you.

CYNISCUS

Shall I strike up a song, too?

CHARON

Yes, by all means, if you know any of the sailors’ chanties,

CYNISCUS

I know plenty of them, Charon; but as you see, these people are competing with our music by crying, so that we shall be put out of tune in our song.

Voyage To the Lower World Perseus (The Works of Lucian of Samosata, Vol. 1. Fowler, Henry Watson and Fowler, Francis George, translators. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1905.) — 19 focus

Charon

And where is he to sit now he is here?_ We are full up, as you may see,

Hermes

What do you say to the tyrant’s shoulders?

Clotho

A good idea that.

Charon

Up with you then; and make the rascal’s back ache. And now, good luck to our voyage!

Cynic

Charon, I may as well tell you the plain truth at once. The penny for my fare is not forthcoming; -I have nothing but my wallet, look, and this stick, But if you want a hand at baling, here I am; or I could take an oar; only give me a good stout one, and you shall have no fault to find with me.

Charon

To it, then; and I’ll ask no other payment of you.

Cynic

Shall I tip them a stave?

Charon

To be sure, if you have a sea-song about you.

Cynic

I have several. Look here though, an opposition is starting: a song of lamentation. It will throw me out.

Lucian of Samosata Cataplus 19

Emily James Smith (Translator)

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Charon

Now, where shall he sit? Every seat is full, as you see.

Hermes

On the despot's shoulders, if you agree.

Klotho

Happy thought, Hermes.

Charon

Climb up, then, and set your foot on the villain's neck; and a fair voyage to us!

Charon

Row, then; for even that is payment enough from you.

Kyniskos

Is it, or must I start a boat-song to give the time?

Charon

By all means, if you know some sailor's song.

Kyniskos

I know a number; but see, these others are wailing tearfully in opposition. They will put us out in our singing.

Current edition Perseus

Κλωθώ

μηδαμῶς, ἀλλὰ προσελάσαντες ἀναλάβωμεν αὐτόν· καὶ σύ, ὦ Ἑρμῆ, συνανάσπασον. ΧΑΡΩΝ ποῦ νῦν καθεδεῖται; μεστὰ γὰρ πάντα, ὡς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς

ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους, εἰ δοκεῖ, τοῦ τυράννου.

Κλωθώ

καλῶς ὁ Ἑρμῆς ἐνενόησεν.

Χάρων

ἀνάβαινε οὖν καὶ τὸν τένοντα τοῦ ἀλιτηρίου καταπάτει· ἡμεῖς δὲ εὐπλοῶμεν.

Χάρων

Ἔρεττε· καὶ τουτὶ γὰρ ἱκανὸν παρὰ σοῦ λαβεῖν.

Κυνίσκος

ἦ καὶ ὑποκελεῦσαι δεήσει;

Χάρων

νὴ Δία, ἤνπερ εἰδῇς κέλευσμά τι τῶν ναυτικῶν.

Κυνίσκος

οἶδα καὶ πολλά, ὦ Χάρων. ἀλλʼ, ὁρᾷς, ἀντεπηχοῦσιν οὗτοι δακρύοντες· ὥστε ἡμῖν τὸ ᾆσμα ἐπιταραχθήσεται.

CHARON

Where shall he sit? The boat’s full, as you see.

HERMES

On the shoulders of the tyrant, if you like.

CLOTHO

A happy thought, that of Hermes!

CHARON

Climb up, then, and set your feet on the sinner's neck. Let’s go on while the wind is fair.

CHARON

Pull an oar; that will be enough to exact of you.

CYNISCUS

Shall I strike up a song, too?

CHARON

Yes, by all means, if you know any of the sailors’ chanties,

CYNISCUS

I know plenty of them, Charon; but as you see, these people are competing with our music by crying, so that we shall be put out of tune in our song.

Charon

And where is he to sit now he is here?_ We are full up, as you may see,

Hermes

What do you say to the tyrant’s shoulders?

Clotho

A good idea that.

Charon

Up with you then; and make the rascal’s back ache. And now, good luck to our voyage!

Charon

To it, then; and I’ll ask no other payment of you.

Cynic

Shall I tip them a stave?

Charon

To be sure, if you have a sea-song about you.

Cynic

I have several. Look here though, an opposition is starting: a song of lamentation. It will throw me out.

Stable identifiers

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Charon Now, where shall he sit? Every seat is full, as you see.

Hermes On the despot's shoulders, if you agree.

Klotho Happy thought, Hermes.

Charon Climb up, then, and set your foot on the villain's neck; and a fair voyage to us!

Charon Row, then; for even that is payment enough from you.

Kyniskos Is it, or must I start a boat-song to give the time?

Charon By all means, if you know some sailor's song.

Kyniskos I know a number; but see, these others are wailing tearfully in opposition. They will put us out in our singing.

Current edition Perseus

Κλωθώ μηδαμῶς, ἀλλὰ προσελάσαντες ἀναλάβωμεν αὐτόν· καὶ σύ, ὦ Ἑρμῆ, συνανάσπασον. ΧΑΡΩΝ ποῦ νῦν καθεδεῖται; μεστὰ γὰρ πάντα, ὡς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους, εἰ δοκεῖ, τοῦ τυράννου.

Κλωθώ καλῶς ὁ Ἑρμῆς ἐνενόησεν.

Χάρων ἀνάβαινε οὖν καὶ τὸν τένοντα τοῦ ἀλιτηρίου καταπάτει· ἡμεῖς δὲ εὐπλοῶμεν.

Χάρων Ἔρεττε· καὶ τουτὶ γὰρ ἱκανὸν παρὰ σοῦ λαβεῖν.

Κυνίσκος ἦ καὶ ὑποκελεῦσαι δεήσει;

Χάρων νὴ Δία, ἤνπερ εἰδῇς κέλευσμά τι τῶν ναυτικῶν.

Κυνίσκος οἶδα καὶ πολλά, ὦ Χάρων. ἀλλʼ, ὁρᾷς, ἀντεπηχοῦσιν οὗτοι δακρύοντες· ὥστε ἡμῖν τὸ ᾆσμα ἐπιταραχθήσεται.

CHARON Where shall he sit? The boat’s full, as you see.

HERMES On the shoulders of the tyrant, if you like.

CLOTHO A happy thought, that of Hermes!

CHARON Climb up, then, and set your feet on the sinner's neck. Let’s go on while the wind is fair.

CHARON Pull an oar; that will be enough to exact of you.

CYNISCUS Shall I strike up a song, too?

CHARON Yes, by all means, if you know any of the sailors’ chanties,

CYNISCUS I know plenty of them, Charon; but as you see, these people are competing with our music by crying, so that we shall be put out of tune in our song.

Charon And where is he to sit now he is here?_ We are full up, as you may see,

Hermes What do you say to the tyrant’s shoulders?

Clotho A good idea that.

Charon Up with you then; and make the rascal’s back ache. And now, good luck to our voyage!

Charon To it, then; and I’ll ask no other payment of you.

Cynic Shall I tip them a stave?

Charon To be sure, if you have a sea-song about you.

Cynic I have several. Look here though, an opposition is starting: a song of lamentation. It will throw me out.

Stable identifiers

Charon

Now, where shall he sit? Every seat is full, as you see.

Hermes

On the despot's shoulders, if you agree.

Klotho

Happy thought, Hermes.

Charon

Climb up, then, and set your foot on the villain's neck; and a fair voyage to us!

Charon

Row, then; for even that is payment enough from you.

Kyniskos

Is it, or must I start a boat-song to give the time?

Charon

By all means, if you know some sailor's song.

Kyniskos

I know a number; but see, these others are wailing tearfully in opposition. They will put us out in our singing.

Κλωθώ

μηδαμῶς, ἀλλὰ προσελάσαντες ἀναλάβωμεν αὐτόν· καὶ σύ, ὦ Ἑρμῆ, συνανάσπασον. ΧΑΡΩΝ ποῦ νῦν καθεδεῖται; μεστὰ γὰρ πάντα, ὡς ὁρᾷς.

Ἑρμῆς

ἐπὶ τοὺς ὤμους, εἰ δοκεῖ, τοῦ τυράννου.

Κλωθώ

καλῶς ὁ Ἑρμῆς ἐνενόησεν.

Χάρων

ἀνάβαινε οὖν καὶ τὸν τένοντα τοῦ ἀλιτηρίου καταπάτει· ἡμεῖς δὲ εὐπλοῶμεν.

Χάρων

Ἔρεττε· καὶ τουτὶ γὰρ ἱκανὸν παρὰ σοῦ λαβεῖν.

Κυνίσκος

ἦ καὶ ὑποκελεῦσαι δεήσει;

Χάρων

νὴ Δία, ἤνπερ εἰδῇς κέλευσμά τι τῶν ναυτικῶν.

Κυνίσκος

οἶδα καὶ πολλά, ὦ Χάρων. ἀλλʼ, ὁρᾷς, ἀντεπηχοῦσιν οὗτοι δακρύοντες· ὥστε ἡμῖν τὸ ᾆσμα ἐπιταραχθήσεται.

CHARON

Where shall he sit? The boat’s full, as you see.

HERMES

On the shoulders of the tyrant, if you like.

CLOTHO

A happy thought, that of Hermes!

CHARON

Climb up, then, and set your feet on the sinner's neck. Let’s go on while the wind is fair.

CHARON

Pull an oar; that will be enough to exact of you.

CYNISCUS

Shall I strike up a song, too?

CHARON

Yes, by all means, if you know any of the sailors’ chanties,

CYNISCUS

I know plenty of them, Charon; but as you see, these people are competing with our music by crying, so that we shall be put out of tune in our song.

Charon

And where is he to sit now he is here?_ We are full up, as you may see,

Hermes

What do you say to the tyrant’s shoulders?

Clotho

A good idea that.

Charon

Up with you then; and make the rascal’s back ache. And now, good luck to our voyage!

Charon

To it, then; and I’ll ask no other payment of you.

Cynic

Shall I tip them a stave?

Charon

To be sure, if you have a sea-song about you.

Cynic

I have several. Look here though, an opposition is starting: a song of lamentation. It will throw me out.