Dionysos bangs on the door of Pluton’s palace, claiming that he is Herakles and is terrified when the doorkeeper then berates him for having stolen Kerberos. Revealing that he has soiled himself from fear, he asks Xanthias for a sponge to clean himself. Xanthias calls him a coward, and Dionysos objects on the grounds that he was courageous enough to get up and clean himself but then convinces Xanthias to trade places. Dionysos carries the baggage while Xanthias wears the disguise of Herakles.

As they prepare to move on, the palace door opens, and a slave rushes out, embracing Xanthias, now in the guise of Herakles. The slave tells Xanthias that the goddess has prepared a feast and young girls to dance for him. Dionysos demands his disguise back, and Xanthias reluctantly returns the club and lion skin. The Chorus sings a verse about clever men who switch sides when it is convenient to them, invoking Theramenes, a politician known for switching sides who was eventually executed. Dionysos joins in with a verse of his own, describing how absurd it would be for Xanthias, a slave, to enjoy plush bedding and dancing girls.

An innkeeper and her associate enter with two slaves and accuse Dionysos of having skipped out on his bill.