Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/182

 a hundred miles distance from home, quite across the island. There he was buried, and a noble monument made for him. Thus far the sophist had read in good authors. Now upon this he introduces the Himerenses, so enraged at the others for having Stesichorus's ashes, that nothing less will serve them than denouncing of war, and sacking their city. And presently an embassy is sent to Phalaris, to desire his assistance, who, like a generous ally, promises them what arms and men and money they would: but withal, sprinkles a little dust among the bees, advising them to milder counsels, and proposing this expedient, that Catana should have Stesichorus's tomb, and Himera should build a temple to him. Now was ever any declamator's theme so extravagantly put? What! to go to war upon so slight an occasion, and to call in too the assistance of the tyrant? Had they so soon forgot Stesichorus's own counsel, who, when upon another occasion they would have asked succour of Phalaris, dissuaded them by the fable of the horse and his rider? Our sophist had heard that seven cities contended about Homer; and so two might go to blows about another poet. But there's a difference between that contention, and this