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.
HERACLES. And Agathon? Where is he?[397]
DIONYSUS. He has left me; 'twas a good poet and his friends regret him.
HERACLES. And whither has the poor fellow gone?
DIONYSUS. To the banquet of the blest.
HERACLES. And Xenocles?[398]
[397] Agathon was a contemporary of Euripides, and is mentioned in terms of praise by Aristotle for his delineation of the character of Achilles, presumably in his tragedy of 'Telephus.' From the fragments which remain of this author it appears that his style was replete with ornament, particularly antithesis.
[398] Son of Caminus, an inferior poet, often made the butt of Aristophanes' jeers.