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1. Nor was Euripides to be accompted insolent at Athens, who, when the People requir'd him to strike out such a Sentence out of a certain Tragedy, appear∣ing upon the Stage, told um, That he composed Fables to teach them, not by them to be taught. That Confi∣dence is certainly to be praised, which weighing the
esteem of a mans self, arrogates so much to its self, as to keep contempt and insolency at a distance.
And therefore his answer to Alcestides The Tragick Poet; who complaining to him, that he could not make above three Verses the last three days, and that with a great deal of labour too, when the other boa∣sted that he could write an Hundred; The reason is, said Euripides, because thine are only to last three days, and mine are to last to eternity. For the fluent wri∣ting of the one, perish'd within the first bounds of Memory; but the elaborate and constant Stile of the other will be carried through all Ages upon the wings of time.
2. I will adde an Example upon the same Stage. Antigenidas the Musician, cried out to a Scholar of his rare in his Art, but not approved by the People, Sing to me and the Muses. For perfect Art, though it want the flattery of Fortune, doth not therefore want a just confidence in its self.
3. But Zeuxis having painted Helen, thought it not fit to expect what men would say of his Work, but presently added these Verses out of Homer, Iliad. 3.
So that the Painter did not arrogate so much to his Art, to think he had drawn so much Beauty, as Leda might assume through her Celestial Birth, or Homer express by his divine Wit.
4. Phidias also alluded to the Verses of Homer in a
notable Saying. For having finish'd the Statue of Iupiter Olympic, than which never humane hand did make a more famous Piece, being ask'd by his Friend, whither he directed his mind when he form'd the Face of Iupiter of Ivory, as if he had seem'd to fetch it from Heaven; reply'd that he made use of these following Verses; Iliad. 1.
5. But now the most renowned Captains suffer me no longer to insist upon mean Examples. For Epa∣minondas, when his Citizens in anger commanded him in contempt to take care of paving the Streets in the Town (which was one of the lowest Offices among them) without any hesitation took it upon him, pro∣mising in a short time to make the City most beautiful. By his wonderful Industry making the most vile Office to be coveted for a great honour.
6. But Hannibal remaining i•• Exile with King Pru∣sias, and being the occasion of his giving Battle, though the other told him that the Entrails portended no good Success, made this reply; Hadst thou rather, said he, believe a little Calves flesh, than an old General? A brief and concise Answer, considering the number of the Words; considering the sence, a copious reply, and of great authority. For he that had wrung out of the hands of the Romans both Spains, and having reduc'd the force of Gallia and Liguria under his subjection, had open'd a new Passage through the Alps, laying at the Kings feet the dire memory of the Thrasymene
Lake, the famous monument of the Punic Victory at Cannae, Capua taken, and all Italy rent and torn, could not endure that his glory, witnessed by long experi∣ment, should be put in competition with the Liver of one Sacrifice. And certainly, as to what concern'd the exploring of Military Sacrifices, and making con∣jectures of Warlike Conducts, the breast of Hannibal was far above all the little fires, all the Altars of Bi∣thynia, in the judgment of Mars, himself.
7. That saying also of King Cotys, was the mark of a most generous Spirit, who so soon as he understood that the Athenians had given him a City, made answer, that he would give them the Law of his Nation. Thereby equalling Thrace to Athens, lest by account∣ing himself unable to require such a benefit, he should have been esteem'd to have thought too meanly of his Original.
8. Nobly was it said also of both the Spartans, one of whom being reproved that he went to battle being lame, reply'd, That it was his intention to fight, and not to run. The other being told that the Sun us'd to be obscur'd with the Darts of the Persians; A very good story, quoth he, for we shall fight the better in the shade. Another Person, of the sam•• City and Courage, made answer to his Host, shewing him the high and broad Walls of his City; If ye made um for your Wo∣men, said he, ye did well; if for your Men, 'twas igno∣miniously done.