Such were the adventures which befell us during our voyage, at sea, in the islands, in the air, in the whale, amongst the heroes, in the land of dreams, and lastly, amongst the Bucephali, and the Onoscileae.  What we met with on the other side of the world, shall be related in the ensuing books. {149}

ICARO-MENIPPUS.  A DIALOGUE.

This Dialogue, which is also called by the commentators [Greek], or, “Above the Clouds,” has a great deal of easy wit and humour in it, without the least degree of stiffness or obscurity; it is equally severe on the gods and philosophers; and paints, in the warmest colours, the glaring absurdity of the whole pagan system.

MENIPPUS AND A FRIEND.

Menippus.

Three thousand stadia {153} from the earth to the moon, my first resting-place; from thence up to the sun about five hundred parasangas; and from the sun to the highest heaven, and the palace of Jupiter, as far as a swift eagle could fly in a day.

Friend.

What are you muttering to yourself, Menippus, talking about the stars, and pretending to measure distances?  As I walk behind you, I hear of nothing but suns and moons, parasangas, stations, and I know not what.

Menippus.

Marvel not, my friend, if I utter things aerial and sublime; for I am recounting the wonders of my late journey.

Friend.

What! tracing your road by the stars, as the Phoenicians {154} do!

Menippus.

Not so, by Jove!  I have been amongst the stars themselves.

Friend.

You must have had a long dream, indeed, to travel so many leagues in it.

Menippus.

It is no dream, I assure you; I am just arrived from Jupiter.

Friend.

How say you?  Menippus let down from heaven?

Menippus.

Even so:  this moment come from thence, where I have seen and heard things most strange and miraculous.  If you doubt the truth of them, the happier shall I be to have seen what is past belief.

Friend.

How is it possible, most heavenly and divine Menippus, that a mere mortal, like me, should dispute the veracity of one who has been carried above the clouds:  one, to speak in the language of Homer, of the inhabitants {155} of heaven?  But inform me, I beseech you, which way you got up, and how you procured so many ladders; for, by your appearance, I should not take you for another Phrygian boy, {156} to be carried up by an eagle, and made a cup-bearer of.

Menippus.

You are an old scoffer, I know, and therefore I am not surprised that an account of things above the comprehensions of the vulgar should appear like a fable to you; but, let me tell you, I wanted no ladders, nor an eagle’s beak, to transport me thither, for I had wings of my own.