XXVIII
Menippus
.
Tiresias
Menippus
Whether you are blind or not, Tiresias, would be a difficult question. Eyeless sockets are the rule among us; there is no telling Phineus from Lynceus nowadays. However, I know that you were a seer, and that you enjoy the unique distinction of having been both man and woman; I have it from the poets. Pray tell me which you found the more pleasant life, the man’s or the woman’s?
Whether you are blind or not, Tiresias, would be a difficult question. Eyeless sockets are the rule among us; there is no telling Phineus from Lynceus nowadays. However, I know that you were a seer, and that you enjoy the unique distinction of having been both man and woman; I have it from the poets. Pray tell me which you found the more pleasant life, the man’s or the woman’s?
Tiresias
The woman’s, by a long way; it was much less trouble. Women have the mastery of men; and there is no fighting for them, no manning of walls, no squabbling in the assembly, no eross-examination in the law-courts.
The woman’s, by a long way; it was much less trouble. Women have the mastery of men; and there is no fighting for them, no manning of walls, no squabbling in the assembly, no eross-examination in the law-courts.
Menippus
Well, but you have heard how Medea, in Euripides, compassionates her sex on their hard lot—on the intolerable pangs they endure in travail? And by the way—Medea’s words remind me—did you ever have a child, when you were a woman, or were you barren?
Well, but you have heard how Medea, in Euripides, compassionates her sex on their hard lot—on the intolerable pangs they endure in travail? And by the way—Medea’s words remind me—did you ever have a child, when you were a woman, or were you barren?
Tiresias
What do you mean by that question, Menippus?
What do you mean by that question, Menippus?
Menippus
Oh, nothing; but I should like to know, if it is no trouble to you.
Oh, nothing; but I should like to know, if it is no trouble to you.
Tiresias
I was not barren: but I did not have a child, exactly.
I was not barren: but I did not have a child, exactly.
Menippus
No; but you might have had. That’s all I wanted to know.
No; but you might have had. That’s all I wanted to know.
Tiresias
Certainly.
Certainly.
Menippus
And your feminine characteristics gradually vanished, and you developed a beard, and became a man? Or did the change take place in a moment?
And your feminine characteristics gradually vanished, and you developed a beard, and became a man? Or did the change take place in a moment?
Tiresias
Whither does your question tend? One would think you doubted the fact.
Whither does your question tend? One would think you doubted the fact.
Menippus
And what should I do but doubt such a story? AmI to take it in, like a nincompoop, without asking myself whether it is possible or not?
And what should I do but doubt such a story? AmI to take it in, like a nincompoop, without asking myself whether it is possible or not?
Tiresias
At that rate, I suppose you are equally incredulous when you hear of women being turned into birds or trees or beasts,— Aëdon for instance, or Daphne, or Callisto?
At that rate, I suppose you are equally incredulous when you hear of women being turned into birds or trees or beasts,— Aëdon for instance, or Daphne, or Callisto?
Menippus
If I fall in with any of these ladies, I will see what they have to say about it. But to return, friend, to your own case: were you a prophet even in the days of your femininity? or did manhood and prophecy come together?
If I fall in with any of these ladies, I will see what they have to say about it. But to return, friend, to your own case: were you a prophet even in the days of your femininity? or did manhood and prophecy come together?
Tiresias
Pooh, you know nothing of the matter. I once settled a dispute among the Gods, and was blinded by Hera for my pains; whereupon Zeus consoled me with the gift of prophecy.
Pooh, you know nothing of the matter. I once settled a dispute among the Gods, and was blinded by Hera for my pains; whereupon Zeus consoled me with the gift of prophecy.
Menippus
Ah, you love a lie still, Tiresias. But there, ’tis your trade. You prophets! There is no truth in you.
Ah, you love a lie still, Tiresias. But there, ’tis your trade. You prophets! There is no truth in you.
Dialogi mortuorum. Lucian. Henry Watson Fowler (Translator), Francis George Fowler (Translator). Medford, MA, USA. 2023-08-01.
Sponsored by Tufts University.
Funding provided by National Endowment for the Humanities.