ing married, engaged Critheïs to manage his household, and spin the flax he received as the price of his scholastic labours. She acquitted herself of the task so satisfactorily, and conducted herself so modestly, that she won his esteem. He proposed to marry her, and, as an inducement to it, promised to adopt her son, intimating that the boy, carefully educated and instructed, would become a clever man; for he perceived in him a thoughtful and studious disposition. Critheïs, moved by these solicitations, consented to become his wife.

V. Care and an excellent education seconding the happy talents with which nature had endowed him, Melesigenes soon surpassed his schoolfellows in every attainment, and when older, he became as wise as his instructor. Phemius died, leaving him heir to his property; his mother did not long survive her husband. Melesigenes, now his own master, taught in the school of Phemius, where every one applauded him. He excited the admiration, not only of the inhabitants of Smyrna, but also of the numerous strangers who resorted to that port on account of the trade carried on there, particularly in the exportation of corn, much of which came from the environs of the town. These, when their business was finished, frequented his school in great numbers.

VI. Among these strangers, was one whose name was Mentes. He had come from the island of Leucadia 10 to buy corn; the vessel in which he had arrived was his own; he also was a lettered man, and well educated for those times.

the knowledge of philosophy, logic, literature, harmonics, and in fact all that concerns mental culture. Gymnastics was its parallel, as the art of beautifying and strengthening the body. Aristophanes several times calls the art of dramatic writing, Music. Conf. Sch. Aristoph. Equites 188. Plato Repub. ii. 17.

9 Homer, in gratitude to his preceptor, has celebrated his praise in the Odyssey, i. 154, 155, 325, &c.; xvii. 261; and xxii. 330-356.

10 Now called Santa Maura, one of the Ionian Isles, on the coast of Epirus.

This man persuaded Melesigenes to close his school, and accompany him on his travels. He promised to defray all the expenses, and give him a certain stipend, telling him that, while he was young, it was imperative on him to see with his own eyes the countries and cities of which he might thereafter have occasion to speak. These reasonings prevailed, I think, the more easily, as he had some idea, at that time, of devoting himself to the study of poetry, [which would be facilitated by travel, as his innate prejudices would thereby be stifled.] He quitted his school, and embarking with Mentes, examined all the curiosities of the countries which they visited, and informed himself of every thing by interrogating every one he met. We may also suppose, that he recorded in writing all the information he thought worthy of preservation.

VII. After having traveled in Tyrrhenia and Iberia,11 they arrived at the island of Ithaca. Melesigenes, who had already suffered pains in his eyes, now became much worse. Mentes, obliged to go to Leucadia, his native country, on business, left him at Ithaca in the care of a particular friend of his, called Mentor, the son of Alcimus. He promised Melesigenes to return to him, that they might continue their voyages. Mentor's assistance was given to Melesigenes most zealously. He was rich, and was reputed a just and hospitable man. It was here, and during this period, that Melesigenes acquired a knowledge of all the legends respecting Odysseus. The inhabitants of Ithaca assert "that Melesigenes became blind in their island." I myself incline to the opinion, that he was cured of his disease, or that it was alleviated, and that afterwards, when at Colophon, he permanently lost his sight. And so think the Colophonians.

VIII. Mentes, having sailed from Leucadia, arrived at Ithaca. Finding Melesigenes cured, he took him on board,

11 Wesseling throws a doubt on the probability of these voyages, supporting his assertions by a reference to Herodotus, (i. 163; viii. 132,) which is refuted by Larcher in his note on the passage.

and proceeded from place to place with him, coming at length to Colophon. It was there that Melesigenes was again attacked by the disease, which, raging more malevolently, left him totally blind. This misfortune determined him to depart from Colophon, and to return to Smyrna, where he studied the art of poetry and harmonics with much attention.

IX. After some time, the bad state of his affairs induced him to go to Cuma. Setting out, he travelled over the Hermæan plain, and arrived at Neon-teichos, 12 a colony of Cumæ. It is related, that being at that city near an armourer's 13 workshop, he recited these, his first verses:

"O ye, citizens of the amiable daughter of Cuma,11 who cover the feet of Mount Sædena with your habitations, whose summit is shaded by refreshing woods, and whence flow the waters of divine Hermus, create of Zeus, respect the misfortunes of a stranger, who possesses no refuge for shelter."

12 See Herod. i. 149.

13 Literally, "a currier's yard," but Larcher has been followed in the translation of the phrase, as the terms are almost synonymous, for the arms of the Greeks of that period were made of ox-hides, stretched on a metal frame, and faced with the same material. Thus, in ancient times the trades were exercised simultaneously. See the description of the shield of Ajax, (IX. vii. 219,) and Smith's Dictionary of Antiquities.

14 See Isaiah xxiii. 12. Paulinus, bishop of Nola, also says, in speaking of Massilia, the present Marseilles, founded by the Phocæans, (Thucyd. i. 13. Herod. i. 166,) “Massilia Granum filia." It serves to heighten the poetic effect of the verses. These verses are to be found in the Aldine and Florentine editions. The text of the third verse is corrupt, it runs, " ναίετ ̓ ἐς ᾅδην, ἧς πόδα.” Bernard Martin proposes the following emendation, "vaiete Zaidŋvñs πóda." Stephen of Byzantium ('E0viká, edit. Westermann, Lips. 1839, 8vo) mentions Mount Sædena, which makes the reading more probable. Sædena may be a corruption of Sardena mentioned by older authors, therefore to restore Sardena, as Larcher does, would be to destroy a proof of the late origin of the Life. This is a fact worthy of notice in dating the composition of this treatise. Stephen of Byzantium lived under the reign of Justinian II., therefore this treatise must have been written some where about the same time.

For the river Hermus flows near Neon-teichos, and Mount Sædena overlooks both. The name of the armourer was Tychius. These verses gave him such pleasure that he invited Melesigenes to his house. Full of commiseration for a blind man reduced to beggary, he promised to share all that he had with him. Melesigenes having entered, seated himself, and in the presence of several of the citizens, manifested his capabilities, by singing the exploits of Amphiaraüs against Thebes, 15 and the Hymns to the gods.16 Each gave his opinion, and Melesigenes having drawn a just conclusion from their criticisms, his hearers were struck with admiration.

X. Whilst at Neon-teichos, his poems furnished him with the means of subsistence. The place he customarily occupied during the recitation of his verses is still shown. It is held in great estimation even now, and is shaded by a poplar which was planted about the time of his arrival.17

XI. But at length, compelled by necessity, and finding scarcely sufficient to keep him alive, he determined to proceed to Cumæ, to see if he could meet with better fortune there. When ready to depart, he recited these verses:

"May my limbs support me to that honourable town, whose inhabitants possess no less prudence than sagacity." Having departed for Cuma, he went by way of Larissa, 18

15 This was probably the poem known by the title of the Thebaïs, attributed by Callinus (B. c. 700) to Homer. Paus. ix. 9; Welck. Ep. Cycl. p. 298. It consisted of 700 lines. On which see Mure, Greek Literature, vol. ii. 267-276; Leutsch, Theb. Cycl. Relic.; Ritschl Dic. Alex. Bibl. p. 101. Conf. Livy, xxxvii. 19. Düntzer (Epic. Græc. Fragm.) has collected all the fragments of the Cyclic poems. His work is well worthy of reference.

16 On the Hymns, see Mure, vol. ii. 317-337, and Voss's German translation of the hymn to Dêmêtêr, Heidelb., 1826.

17 Should we not read "my arrival?" Poplars can hardly live so long. 18 According to Xenophon, (Cyropæd. vii. 1,) this city was afterwards given by Cyrus to some Egyptians in recompence for their bravery in the Assyrian war, and was still in the possession of their descendants at the

time of that author.

considering that road the most convenient. It was there, as the Cumæans say, that he composed the epitaph of Gordius, king of Phrygia, at the request of the father and mother of the wife of that prince. It is engraven on the pillar of the monument of Gordius, where it may yet be seen.

"I am a maiden sculptured in bronze. Placed on the monument of Midas, as long as water may be seen to flow in the plains, and the trees to flower in spring; as long as the rising sun makes men to rejoice, and the moon, by the brilliancy of her light, dissipates the darkness of the night; as long as the rivers flow rapidly along between their banks, and the ocean covers the shore with its waves, I shall be continually seen reposing on this sad tomb, announcing to the passengers that Midas lies here interred.” 19

XII. When Melesigenes arrived at Cuma, he frequented the assemblies of the elders, and there recited his verses. Admiring their beautiful structure, they fell into an ecstasy of delight. Joyful at the reception his poems had prepared for him among the Cumæans, and at the pleasure with which they had heard him, he one day proposed to them, that if the state would maintain him, he would make the city of Cuma very celebrated. His hearers approved of the proposition, and engaged him to present himself before the council, where they would support him with all their interest. Melesigenes, encouraged by their approbation, presented himself at the House of Assembly on an audience day, and addressing the person who had the office of presenting those who had any request to prefer, he begged to be allowed to enter. This officer did not neglect to present him the first opportunity that offered. Melesigenes, as soon as that ceremony was over, addressed the assembly regarding the proposition he had formerly made. His speech ended, he retired, in order that

19 Conf. Plat. Phædrus, § 106; Diog. Laert. i. 89. Simonides there attributes them to Cleobulus of Lindus, and with much apparent probability.