Satirical Sketches

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 7 TALKS THE DREAM 23 ZEUXIS 30 SKETCHES Conversations in Low Society MOTHER KNOWS BEST 39 THE LANGUAGE OF TRUE LOVE 41 THE RESULTS OF SHOOTING A LINE 43 Conversations in High Society THE NEW SLEEPING PARTNER 48 ZEUS IS INDISPOSED 51 THE RELUCTANT PARENT 53 A BEAUTY COMPETITION 55 Conversations in the Underworld NO BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE 65 MENIPPUS GETS AWAY WITH IT 72 A SLIGHT CHANGE OF SEX 74 HOW TO ENJOY LIFE AFTER SEVENTY 75 CHARON SEES LIFE 78 MENIPPUS GOES TO HELL 97 ICAROMENIPPUS 111 AN INTERVIEW WITH HESIOD 133 SOME AWKWARD QUESTIONS FOR ZEUS 137 PHILOSOPHIES GOING CHEAP 147 FISHING FOR PHONIES 166 THE PATHOLOGICAL LIAR 196 STORIES ALEXANDER 221 THE TRUE HISTORY 249 NOTES 297 GLOSSARY 301