DIONYSUS. There is no human power can prevent my going to him.
HERACLES. To the bottom of Hades?
DIONYSUS. Aye, and further than the bottom, an it need.
HERACLES. And what do you want with him?
DIONYSUS. I want a master poet; "some are dead and gone, and others are
good for nothing."[395]
HERACLES. Is Iophon[396] dead then?
DIONYSUS. He is the only good one left me, and even of him I don't know
quite what to think.
HERACLES. Then there's Sophocles, who is greater than Euripides; if you
must absolutely bring someone back from Hades, why not make him live
again?
DIONYSUS. No, not until I have taken Iophon by himself and tested him for
what he is worth. Besides, Euripides is very artful and won't leave a
stone unturned to get away with me, whereas Sophocles is as easy-going
with Pluto as he was when on earth.