Works, vol 3 | Page 6

the visit of some heavenly being which
brought them a blessing. When they saw him go by, the baker-wives
would contend for the honour of supplying him, and a happy woman
was the actual donor. Children too used to call him father, and bring
him offerings of fruit.
Party spirit was once running high at Athens; he came into the
assembly, and his mere appearance was enough to still the storm. When
he saw that they were ashamed, he departed again without having
uttered a word.
When he found that he was no longer able to take care of himself, he
repeated to his friends the tag with which the heralds close the festival:
The games are done, The crowns all won; No more delay, But haste
away,
and from that moment abstaining from food, left life as cheerfully as he
had lived it.
When the end was near, he was asked his wishes about burial. 'Oh, do
not trouble; scent will summon my undertakers.' Well, but it would be
indecent for the body of so great a man to feed birds and dogs. 'Oh, no
harm in making oneself useful in death to anything that lives.'
However, the Athenians gave him a magnificent public funeral, long
lamented him, worshipped and garlanded the stone seat on which he
had been wont to rest when tired, accounting the mere stone sanctified
by him who had sat upon it. No one would miss the funeral ceremony,
least of all any of the philosophers. It was these who bore him to the
grave.
I have made but a small selection of the material available; but it may
serve to give readers some idea of this great man's character.

A PORTRAIT-STUDY
_Lycinus. Polystratus_
Ly. Polystratus, I know now what men must have felt like when they
saw the Gorgon's head. I have just experienced the same sensation, at
the sight of a most lovely woman. A little more, and I should have
realized the legend, by being turned to stone; I am benumbed with
admiration.
Poly. Wonderful indeed must have been the beauty, and terrible the

power of the woman who could produce such an impression on
Lycinus. Tell me of this petrifying Medusa. Who is she, and whence? I
would see her myself. You will not grudge me that privilege? Your
jealousy will not take alarm at the prospect of a rival petrifaction at
your side?
Ly. Well, I give you fair warning: one distant glimpse of her, and you
are speechless, motionless as any statue. Nay, that is a light affliction:
the mortal wound is not dealt till her glance has fallen on you. What
can save you then? She will lead you in chains, hither and thither, as
the magnet draws the steel.
Poly. Enough! You would make her more than human. And now tell
me who she is.
Ly. You think I am exaggerating: I fear you will have but a poor
opinion of my eloquence when you see her as she is--so far above my
praise. Who she is, I cannot say: but to judge from the splendour of her
surroundings, her retinue, her host of eunuchs and maids, she must be
of no ordinary rank.
Poly. And you never even asked her name?
Ly. Why no; but she is from Ionia; because, as she passed, I heard one
of the bystanders speak aside to his neighbour: 'See, he exclaimed,
'what Smyrna can produce! And what wonder, if the fairest of Ionian
cities has given birth to the fairest of women?' I thought he must come
from Smyrna himself, he was so proud of her.
Poly. There you acted your stony part to perfection. As you could
neither follow her, nor make inquiries of the Smyrnaean, it only
remains for you to describe her as best you can, on the chance of my
recognizing her.
Ly. You know not what you ask. It is not in the power of
words--certainly not of my words--to portray such wondrous beauty;
scarcely could an Apelles, a Zeuxis, a Parrhasius,--a Phidias or an
Alcamenes, do justice to it; as for my flimsy workmanship, it will but

insult the original.
Poly. Well, never mind; what was she like? There can be no harm in
trying your hand. What if the portrait be somewhat out of
drawing?--the critic is your good friend.
Ly. I think my best way out of it will be to call in the aid of some of the
old masters I have named: let them fashion the likeness for me.
Poly. Well, but--will they come? They have been dead so long.
Ly. That is easily managed: but you must not mind answering me a few
questions.
Poly. You have but to ask.
Ly. Were you ever at Cnidus?
Poly. I was.
Ly.