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Icaromenippus, an Aerial Expedition (19-20)

urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0062.tlg021.perseus-eng4:19-20
Refs {'start': {'reference': '19', 'human_reference': 'Section 19'}, 'end': {'reference': '20', 'human_reference': 'Section 20'}}
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Friend

You lucky man! what a rare sight you had! And how big, now, did the towns and the people look from there?

Menippus

You must often have seen a community of ants, some of them a seething mass, some going abroad, others coming back to town. One is a scavenger, another a bustling porter loaded with a bit of bean-pod or half a wheat grain. They no doubt have, on their modest myrmecic scale, their architects and politicians, their magistrates and composers and philosophers. At any rate, what men and cities suggested to me was just so many ant-hills. If you think the similitude too disparaging, look into the Thessalian legends, and you will find that the most warlike tribe there was the Myrmidons, or ants turned men. Well, when I had had enough of contemplation and laughter, I roused myself and soared

To join the Gods, where dwells the Lord of storms.

Menippus

I had only flown a couple of hundred yards, when Selenes feminine voice reached me: Menippus, do me an errand to Zeus, and I will wish you a pleasant journey.’ You have only to name it,’ I said, provided it is not something to carry.’ It is a simple message of entreaty to Zeus. I am tired to death, you must know, of being slandered by these philosophers; they have no better occupation than impertinent curiosity about meWhat am I? how big am 1? why am I halved? why am I gibbous? Iam inhabited; I am just a mirror hung over the sea; I amwhatever their latest fancy suggests. It is the last straw when they say my light is stolen, sham, imported from the sun, and keep on doing their best to get up jealousy and ill feeling between brother and sister. They might have been contented with making him out a stone or a red-hot lump.

v.3.p.138

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