4–7
AEACUS
I mean the one with the snub nose.
MENIPPUS
This too they have in common; they’re all snub-nosed.
SOCRATES
Looking for me, Menippus?
MENIPPUS
Yes, I am, Socrates.
SOCRATES
What’s the news in Athens?
MENIPPUS
Many of the young men call themselves Philosophers, and, to judge at least from their garb and gait, are tiptop Philosophers.
SOCRATES
I’ve seen lots of them.
5
MENIPPUS
But you’ve seen, I imagine, what Aristippus was like when he came to join you, or Plato himself—the one reeking of scent, the other accomplished in flattering Sicilian tyrants.
SOCRATES
And what do they think of me?
MENIPPUS
In these respects at least, you’re a lucky fellow, Socrates. At any rate they all think you were a wonderful man, and knew everything, though—I think I’m right in saying so—you knew nothing.
SOCRATES
That’s what I myself kept telling them, but they thought it was all pretence on my part.
MENIPPUS
But who are these round you?
SOCRATES
Charmides, my good fellow, and Phaedrus and Clinias’ son. Alcibiades.
MENIPPUS
Bravo, Socrates! Still following your own special line here! Still with an eye for beauty!
SOCRATES
What could I find to do more agreeable? But won’t you lie down by us, please?
MENIPPUS
Oh, no; I’m going off to Croesus and Sardanapalus, to stay near them. I expect to have plenty of fun hearing their lamentations.
5
AEACUS
I’m off now, too, to see that none of the dead gives us the slip and escapes. You’ll see things in full another time, Menippus.
MENIPPUS
Off with you, Aeacus. What I’ve seen is enough.
