Necyomantia

Menippus All hail, my roof, my doors, my hearth and home!

Philonides Menippus the cynic, surely; even so, or there are visions about. Menippus, every inch of him. What has he been getting himself up like that for? sailor’s cap, lyre, and lion-skin? However, here goes.—How are you, Menippus? where do you spring from? you have disappeared this long time.

Menippus Death’s lurking-place I leave, and those dark gates

Philonides Good gracious! has Menippus died, all on the quiet, and come to life for a second spell?

Menippus Not so; a living guest in Hades I.

Philonides But what induced you to take this queer original journey?

Menippus Youth drew me on—too bold, too little wise.

Philonides My good man, truce to your heroics; get off those iambic stilts, and tell me in plain prose what this get-up means; what did you want with the lower regions? It is a journey that needs a motive to make it attractive.

Menippus Dear friend, to Hades’ realms I needs must go,

Philonides Man, you must be mad; or why string verses instead of talking like one friend with another?

Menippus My dear fellow, you need not be so surprised. I have just been in Euripides’s and Homer’s company; I suppose I am full to the throat with verse, and the numbers come as soon as I open my mouth.