Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/12

viii property. Cleanax conducted Critheïs secretly to that town, and committed her to the charge of Ismenias of Bœotia, a friend of his, on whom the lot had fallen to go to that colony.

Critheïs, being near her confinement, resorted to a festival held on the bank of the river Meles, in company with other women; while there, the pains of childbirth came upon her, and she brought forth Homer, who, far from being blind, had excellent eyes. She named him Melesigenes, having been born by the river Meles. Critheïs remained some time with Ismenias, but afterwards left him, supporting herself and son by the work of her hands, and upon the proceeds of the charity of her fellow-citizens, educating the boy as she could.

There lived at Smyrna, at this time, a man named Phemius, a teacher of literature and music; who not be-