2–3
FRIEND
Why, my divine Menippus, my Olympian Menippus, how can a mortal groundling like myself disbelieve a sky-man—in fact, to use the words of Homer, a son of Heaven?Iliad 5, 373; 898. But tell ine, please, how you were carried aloft, and where you got so long a ladder; for as far as looks go you are too little like the lad of Phrygia for us to suppose that, like hii, you were snatched up by the eagle to become a cupbearer.The reference is to the story of Ganymede.
MENIPPUS
You have clearly been making fun of me this long time, and it is no wonder you think that my strange story is like a fairy-tale. However, I had no need of your ladder; for my ascent, nor yet to become the eagle’s pet, for I had wings of my own.
5
FRIEND
You have improved on Daedalus, by what you say, if over and above all else, you have turned from a man to a hawk or a crow without our knowing it.
MENIPPUS
Your guess is well-aimed, my friend, and hits the bull’s-eye; for I myself constructed wings, patterned after Daedalus’ clever invention.
FRIEND
Of all the foolhardy men in the world! Then you weren’t afraid you would fall into the water somewhere and give us a Menippean Sea named after yourself, to match the Icarian?
MENIPPUS
Not at all; Icarus had his feathers fitted on with wax, and so just as soon as that melted in the sun he shed his plumage, of course, and fell down; but my wings were innocent of wax.
FRIEND
What do you mean? For by now, sofhehow or other, you are gradually inclining me to believe in the truth of your story.
