CHAP. XXIX.
¶ The commendation of some men for their quicke wits.
WHo is able to make a muster as it were of them that haue been excellent in wit: so dif∣ficult a matter it is to run through so many kinds of sciences, and to take a suruey of curious handi-workes in such varietie, of most rare and singular artisanes? Vnlesse haply we agree vpon this, and say, that Homer the Greeke poet excelled all other, considering either the subiect matter, or the happy fortune of his worke. And hereupon it was, that Alexan∣der the Great (for in this so proud a censure and comparison, I shal do best to cite the iudgment [unspec C] of the highest, and of those that be not subiect to enuie) hauing found among the spoils of Da∣rius the king, his perfumier or casket of sweet ointments, and the same richly imbellished with gold and costly pearls and precious stones, when his friends about him shewed him many vses whereto the said coffer or cabinet might be put vnto, considering that Alexander himself could not away with those delicate perfumes, being a warriour, and slurried with bearing armes, and following warfare: when, I say, his gallants about him could not resolue well what seruice to put it to: himselfe made no more ado but said thus, I will haue it to serue for a case of Homers bookes: judging hereby, that the most rare and precious worke proceeding from that so admi∣rable a wit of man, should be bestowed and kept in the richest box and casket of all others: the same prince, in the forcing and saccage of the citie of Thebes, caused by expresse commande∣ment, [unspec D] That the dwelling house & whole family of Pindarus the Poet should be spared. He built againe the natiue city wherein Aristotle the Philosopher was borne: and in so glorious a shew of his other worthy deeds, would needs intermingle this testimony of his bounty, in regard of that rare clerke who gaue light to all things in the world. The murderers of Archilochus the po∣et, the very Oracle of Apollo at Delphi disclosed and reuealed. When Sophocles the prince of all tragicall Poets was dead in Athens, at what time as the citie was besieged by the Lacedaemo∣nians, god Bacchus appeared sundry times by way of vision in a dreame to Lysander their king, admonishng him to suffer his delight, and him whom he set most store by, for to be enterred. Whereupon the king made diligent enquirie who lately was departed this life in Athens: and by relation of the citizens soone found it out and perceiued who it was that the foresaid god [unspec E] meant, and so gaue them leaue to bury Sophocles in peace, and to performe his funeralls without any molestation or impeachment.