Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/308

234 a nearer and properer comparison; for he was so concerned with poets and poems, that he not only had several poets in his court, but himself made several tragedies, though even this or any other such instance had been wholly impertinent; for, as I said, 'twas not Phalaris's greatness, but his barbarity and ignorance, (being an illiterate publican, before he usurped the tyranny,) that makes dealings with Stesichorus for copies of verses to be so improbable and absurd.

But "a present," he says, "had been an improper means to obtain verses of Stesichorus; for he was one of the greatest men of Sicily." This is a new piece of history, and to be sure he takes care to make it out well. Yes, by two very good arguments; first, because, as Suidas tells him, his brother Helianax was, a lawgiver. Ay, no doubt on't, if he was a lawgiver, he must consequently be a Member of Parliament. But it fails out unfortunately, that the legislative power was not always in such great hands, as it's nowadays. The best law-makers, says Aristotle, were of the rank of citizens; for Solon was such a one, as appears by his poems; and Lycurgus, for he was no king; and Charondas, and  of the