The five days debate at Cicero's house in Tusculum between master and sophister.

SECT. XXXIX.

WHEN we were Children, Cn. Aufidius, who had been Pretor, gave his Vote in the Se∣nate, nor deny'd his Friends Chamber-Counsel, wrote a Greek History, and was clear sighted in Learning. Diodotus the Stoick liv'd many years at our House blind. Now he, what would be hardly credible, exercis'd himself in Philosophy, rather much more diligently than before, plaid on Mu∣sical Instruments, after the Pythagorean usage, had Books read to him day and night; in which Studies he needed not Eyes. Above all this, what scarce seems possible without Eyes, he supported the Office of a Geometry Lecture, directing his Scholars by word of mouth, from what Point, to what Point they should draw every Line. They report of (g) Asclepiades a not obscure Ereirian Philosopher, when one ask'd what alteration Blindness had brought upon him; that he should answer, To carry one Servant more about with him; for as even the ex∣treamest Poverty would be tolerable, if one might (h) what some Greeks do every day; so Blindness could easily be born, if it have sufficient Succors against its Infirmities. Democritus having lost his Eyes, could not distinguish, I grant, between white and black; but now, good and evil, just and unjust, honourable and base, profitable and disprofitable, great and small he could; and with∣out variety of colours, might live happily; with∣out discerning of Natures could not. Nay this man thought that the intention of his mind was ra∣ther

distracted by the sight of his Eyes; and where∣as others oftentimes could not see what block lay in their ways, he rang'd over all infinity, so that no extream could set bounds to his further ad∣vance. There is a Tradition too, that Homer was Blind. But we see his Picture more like than Poem. What Country, what Coast, what place of Grcece, what sort of Subject, what Skirmish, what pitch'd Field, what Gally, what motion of Men, what of Beasts, is not so drawn to the Life, as that he hath brought us to see, what himself saw not? What then, do we think, could either Homer, or any other Scholar, ever want to com∣pleat the delight and pleasure of the Soul? or if the Matter were not so, would Anaxagoras, or this very Democritus, have left their Lands and Estates, and have given up themselves, with their whole Soul, to this Divine delight of learning and en∣quiring. Therefore the Poets never bring in Tire∣sias the Sooth-sayer, whom they feign to be a wise man, bemoaning his Blindness. But now (i) Ho∣mer having fram'd Polyphemus of an inhumane and savage Character, makes him to hold discourse with his Ram, and praise its Fortunes that it could go whether it would, and graze upon what it would. He, indeed, did it well; for the Cyclops himself was never a whit wiser than his Ram.

(g) Asclepiades, a not obscure Eretrain Philosopher.] This is distinguish'd from Asclepiades the Prusian, that eminent Physician.

(h) The extreamest Poverty would be tolerable, if one might, what some Greeks do every day.] This general Reflection is more pregnant than any special charge; whether it mean servile Flattery, ill Practices, or sordid Employments for Gain.

(i) Homer having fram'd Polyphemus.] See his Odysseis, Book 9. by Ogilby or Hobbs.