For the river Hermus flows near Neon-teichos, and Mount Sædena overlooks both. The name of the armourer was Tychius. These verses gave him such pleasure that he invited Melesigenes to his house. Full of commiseration for a blind man reduced to beggary, he promised to share all that he had with him. Melesigenes having entered, seated himself, and in the presence of several of the citizens, manifested his capabilities, by singing the exploits of Amphiaraiis against Thebes,[1] and the Hymns to the gods.[2] Each gave his opinion, and Melesigenes having drawn a just conclusion from their criticisms, his hearers were struck with admiration.
X. Whilst at Neon-teichos, his poems furnished him with the means of subsistence. The place he customarily occupied during the recitation of his verses is still shown. It is held in great estimation even now, and is shaded by a poplar which was planted about the time of his arrival.[3]
XI. But at length, compelled by necessity, and finding scarcely sufficient to keep him alive, he determined to proceed to Cumæ, to see if he could meet with better fortune there. When ready to depart, he recited these verses:
"May my limbs support me to that honourable town, whose inhabitants possess no less prudence than sagacity."
Having departed for Cumæ, he went by way of Larissa,[4]
- ↑ This was probably the poem known by the title of the Thebaïs, attributed by Callinus (B. C. 700) to Homer. Paus. ix. 9; Welck. Ep. Cycl. p. 298. It consisted of 700 lines. On which see Mure, Greek Literature, vol. ii. 267—276; Leutsch, Theb. Cycl. Relic.; Ritschl Dic. Alex. Bibl. p. 101. Conf. Livy, xxxvii. 19. Düntzer (Epic. Græc. Fragm.) has collected all the fragments of the Cyclic poems. His work is well worthy of reference.
- ↑ On the Hymns, see Mure, vol. ii. 317—337, and Voss's German translation of the hymn to Dêmêtêr, Heidelb., 1826.
- ↑ Should we not read "my arrival?" Poplars can hardly live so long.
- ↑ According to Xenophon, (Cyropæd. vii. 1,) this city was afterwards given by Cyrus to some Egyptians in recompence for their bravery in the Assyrian war, and was still in the possession of their descendants at the time of that author.
