3–2
Diogenes
Equals! My dear sir, no; I don’t say that. While Mausolus is groaning over the memories of earth, and the felicity which he supposed to be his, Diogenes will be chuckling. While Mausolus boasts of the tomb raised to him by Artemisia, his wife and sister, Diogenes knows not whether he has a tomb or no—the question never having occurred to him; he knows only that his name is on the tongues of the wise, as one who lived the life of a man; a higher monument than yours, vile Carian slave, and set on firmer foundations,
Nireus. Thersites. Menippus
Nireus
Here we are; Menippus shall award the palm of beauty, Menippus, am I not better-looking than he?
Menippus
Well, who are you? I must know that first, mustn’t I?
Nireus
Nireus and Thersites.
Menippus
Which is which? I cannot tell that yet.
Thersites
One to me; I am like you; you have no such superiority as Homer (blind, by the way) gave you when he called you the handsomest of men; he might peak my head and thin my hair, our judge finds me none the worse. Now, Menippus, make up your mind which is handsomer.
5
Nireus
I, of course, I, the son of Aglaia and Charopus, Comeliest of all that came ’neath Trojan walls.
Menippus
But not comeliest of all that come ’neath the earth, as far as I know. Your bones are much like other people’s; and the only difference between your two skulls is that yours would not take much to stove it in. It is a tender article, something short of masculine,
Nireus
Ask Homer what I was, when I sailed with the Achaeans.
