Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/175

 and with reason, for she was not only his wife but also his niece. This Nicocles, knowing apparently how great is our mutual affection, sent his brother Cleonicus to me to ask me to beg of you to provide a poetical eulogy of the departed. The Syracusans, I hear, testify to her possession of every virtue, and in particular of chastity in the highest degree; so that she is not unworthy to be celebrated by your voice. I know that you have taken care not to write of your contemporaries, in order to avoid all suspicion of interested motives; but this woman, my faithful friend, has passed away in her appointed time, and is of us no more. Do not then make your deliberate practice an excuse to refuse ray request. It is not fitting that Phalaris should ask of Stesichorus in vain; not that you are under any obligation to me, but that I would have you confirm my confident opinion of you. Grant me this grace openly, ungrudgingly, as your own nature will prompt you; I ask your gift for myself, but shall receive it for my friend. For the rest—if you think of gratifying me—her name is Clearista, and she is of Syracusan origin, daughter of Echecratides, niece and