CHAP. I.
His Life.
a 1.1 SPEUSIPPUS was an Athenian, born at Myr∣rhinus [which belonged to the Pandionian Tribe] his Father named Eurymedon, his Mother Po••one, Sister to Plato.
b 1.2 He was brought up in the domestick documents of his Uncle Plato,c 1.3 who (as he used to say) reformed Speusippus's life, after the pattern of his own.
d 1.4 Plato had foure Kins-women, Daughters of his Neeces; the eldest of these he married to Speusippus, with a small portion, thirty Minae, which Dionysius had sent him: To this summe Chio, glad of the occasion, added a Talent, which Speusippus earnestly refused, untill at last he was overcome by the just importunities of the other to receive it, alledging that he gave it not as mony, but as kindnesse▪ that such gifts were to be entertained, for they encreased honour, the rest were dishonourable; that he ought to accept of the good-will, though he despised the mony. The rest of those Virgins were Married richly to Athenians, only Speusippus, who best deserved, was poor. With these arguments Speusippus was induced to accept of Chio's gift; whereat Chio much congratulated his own good fortune, as having laid hold of an occasion, such, as perhaps, saith he, I shall not meet again in all my life.
When Dion came to Athens,* 1.5 Speusippus was continually in company with him, more then any other friend there, by Plato's advice, to soften and divert Dion's humour, with a facile com∣panion, such as he knew Speusippus to be; and that withall, he knew discreetly how to observe time and place in his mirth: whence Timon (in Sillis) calls him, a good Ieaster.
The last time that Plato, upon the importunity of Dionysius, went to Sicily, Speusippus accompany'd him. Whilest they lived at Syracuse, Speusippus kept more company with the Citizens then Plato did, and insinuating more into their mindes, at first they were afraid to speak freely to him, mistrusting him to be one of Dionysius's spies: But within a while they began to con••ide in