Hymn to Dionysos (Reprise)

[SHAKESPEARE]
[to PLUTO]
Farewell, my liege. Now no way can I stray save back to earth
[to DIONYSOS]
I pray you lead the way

[ARIADNE]
Dionysos
Dionysos
Dionysos
Bring the sound of poets
In a blaze of words to a heedless earth
Evoe!
Alalai! Alalai!
Evoe!
Alalalalalalai!

[DIONYSIANS]
Dionysos
Bring the taste of wisdom
In a feast of words to a hungry earth
Evoe!
Alalai! Alalai!
Evoe!
Alalalalalalai!

Dionysos
Bring the taste of words
Bring the sounds of wit
Bring a sense of purpose
Bring the feel of passion
Bring the glow of thought
To a darkening earth

Evoe!
Alalai! Alalai!
Evoe!
Alalalalalalalalai!
Evoe!
Alalai! Alalai!
Evoe!
Alalalalalalai!

[DIONYSOS]
The frogs are quiet tonight

[CHARON]
Maybe you scared them off

[DIONYSOS]
I doubt that

[CHARON]
Say, isn't that William Shakespeare?

[DIONYSOS]
Why yes, it is

[CHARON]
The ride's on me

[DIONYSOS]
Thank you, Charon
[to SHAKESPEARE, stage whisper]
Say something

[SHAKESPEARE]
Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, three-piled hyperbole?

[DIONYSOS]
Well...

[SHAKESPEARE]
Remember, sir, words are not deeds

[DIONYSOS]
Yet do they ease the heart

[SHAKESPEARE]
Aye sir, yet a new beginning calls for a new play
The weight of this sad time we must obey
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say

[DIONYSOS]
Yes, speak what we feel
[To the Audience]
Dare I say it -- what have we learned?
We must participate or prepare to be burned
Frogs will be frogs and life's for the living
Man must use his brain or there'll be much misgiving
I've taken a chance, I've brought back a poet
Let's take charge of the world before it's gone as we know it