DIO. Teach me to dine!

XAN. But never a word of me.

DIO. But tell me truly--'twas for this I came
Dressed up to mimic you--what friends received
And entertained you when you went below
To bring back Cerberus, in case I need them.
And tell me too the havens, fountains, shops,
Roads, resting-places, stews, refreshment rooms,
Towns, lodgings, hostesses, with whom were found
The fewest bugs.

XAN. But never a word of me.

HER. You are really game to go?

DIO. O drop that, can't you? And tell me this: of all the roads you
know
Which is the quickest way to get to Hades? I want one not too warm, nor
yet too cold.

HER. Which shall I tell you first? which shall it be?
There's one by rope and bench: you launch away
And--hang yourself.

DIO. No thank you: that's too stifling.

HER. Then there's a track, a short and beaten cut.