63 another; and this intercourfe was carried on even between perfons of different nations. This letter was of the latter kind; and required Amafis to drink up the fea. It is read, and the 3 difficulty evaded by Bias. Cleodemus, the phyfician, fpeaks very juftly against these difficult and puzzling questions; but is as unkind in fpecifying" that they were like Eumetis's riddles; and fit only to be played with by women." Eumetis (who was prefent as an attendant on Meliffa, and was a lady of the greatest sweetness, modefty, and wif dom) at first seemed inclined to answer him; but reftrained herself, and blushed. Efop, with great good-nature, faved her from part of her confufion, by making a jeft upon the physician and his practice; and by that means called off the eyes of the company from her to him 64. Periander then defires each of them to contribute fome wife fentence for the benefit of Amafis 63 pálεTW TO AIDIOTI, (fays Bias) Tus sulanλονίας εις τα πελαγη πόλαμες επισχειν, έως αύλος εκπίνη των νυν εσαν θαλασαν περί ταύτης γαρ το επιταγμα γεγονεν, & της υπέραν εσομένης. Plut. 151, C. 64 Id. 152, D. Amafis and the company. Solon, Bias, Thales, Anacharfis, Cleobulus, Pittacus, and Chilo, gave each of them a piece of advice for kings; and Periander being preft to add his, faid, "That the fentences which they had given, were almost fufficient to deter any man of sense from reigning." Efop, on this, fpeaks of the civility due to princes; digreffes into a little difpute with Solon about the preference of monarchical to republican government; but for fear it fhould grow too ferious, foon turns it off (in his ufual way) with a piece of humour. Naucratites then refumes his bufinefs, and mentions 5 fome other queftions from Amafis; which are answered by Thales. As the meffenger from Amafis had now dispatched all his orders; Mnefiphilus the Athenian proposes to the company 66 that as they had before given their thoughts of what might be useful to kings, they would now give them, as to what might be beneficial to commonwealths 7; and the Sages speak 65 Plutarch, 153. 66 Ib. 154, C. fpeak each on this fubject, in a fenten tious manner. Then Diocles, the priest and augur of Periander, propofes 68 that they may fay fomething on the government of a house and family; fince each of the company present had a houfe to govern. "I deny that, fays Efop, for Anacharfis here has only a 69. cart. Anacharfis answers him in his ufual grave and folid manner; and defires that his anfwer to him may at the fame time pafs as his 70 club toward what was propofed by Diocles. The rest of the Sages give their fentences or fentiments, feverally, on the fame fubject. Here Meliffa and Eumetis 7 withdraw; the company falls into a mixt converfation; and Efop, who had been blamed himself before for a digreffion from the subject then in hand, tells them a fable 68 Ib. 155, A. 69 Anacharfis was a Scythian; and that people had no fixt habitations: but lived in a fort of waggons to fhift their places of abode, whenever they chofe to do fo. το Ταύτα και προς Αίσωπον αποκρινομαι, καὶ προς Διοκλων συμβαλλομαι. Plutarch, p. 155, B. 7 Plut, 155, D 72 a fable of the Wolf and Shepherds; to fhew, that they themselves were now guilty of the fame fault. Soon after this, 73 the fubject of economics is resumed; and Cleobulus being afkt what is a competency, begins with mentioning an old vulgar ftory, about making a coat for the moon; and a fable of Efop's, on a dog's contracting himself in winter, and extending himself in fummer: and this enquiry about a competency, leads them into 74 a fuller confideration of temperance, and aliments. In the close of this, Gorgias, the brother of Periander, comes in from a voyage; and gives an account of the wonderful. prefervation of Arion, by the dolphins who carry'd him to fhore, when flung into the fea. Efop, 76 (whether in jeft or ferioufly,) does not feem to believe it: Diocles, in anfwer to him, refers to the prefervation of Phryxus and Helle; and Solon 72 Id. 156, A. 73 157, A. 74 P. 157 to 160. 75 P. 160 to 162. το Ο δε Αίσωπος, Αλλ' υμείς, εφη, χλευαζετε τις εμός κολοιός, και κορακας, ο διαλεγονται δελφι ves de Tolauja VERVIEvora. Plutarch, 162, B. ! Solon fays, "Thefe things are above our reach, and must be left to the Gods." Several other ftories 77 are told of perfons affifted by dolphins: and Anacharfis reafons, (as is his way,) very gravely and finely, upon Providence. On their enquiry's growing too nice, and particular, and Efop's quoting feveral verfes out of Homer, Solon takes hold of that opportunity to quote a verfe of Homer too; to put them in mind of its drawing toward bed-time. He 78 then proposes a facrifice; which they perform, and depart. 79 It appears upon the whole, from what is recorded by Plutarch on this occafion; that Efop's converfation confifted of a mixture of humour, wit, mirth, and good nature; and the adapting, or making of fables upon the fpot, as occafions arofe: and immediately after the perufal of this piece, it firft came into my thoughts, that Efop was perhaps a man as full of wit and humour, as our celebrated Dr. Swift; for 77 Plutarch, p. 163. 79 Id. p. 164. he 79 Plutarch in the entrance on this subject, fays, there had been falfe accounts published of it; and proposes his, as a true one. |