Book 15
51
After this, Democritus said;—But the song which was composed by that most learned writer, Aristotle, and addressed to HermiasHermias was tyrant of Atarneus and Assos, having been originally the minister of Eubulus, whom he succeeded. He entertained Aristotle at his court for many years. As he endeavoured to maintain his kingdom in independence of Persia, they sent Mentor against him, who decoyed him to an interview by a promise of safe conduct, and then seized him and sent him to Artaxerxes, by whom he was put to death. of Atarneus, is not a pæan, as was asserted by Demophilus, who instituted a prosecution against the philosopher, on the ground of impiety (having been suborned to act the part of accuser by Eurymedon, who was ashamed to appear himself in the business). And he rested the charge of impiety on the fact of his having been accustomed to sing at banquets a pæan addressed to Hermias. But that this song has no characteristic whatever of a paean, but is a species of scolium, I will show you plainly from its own language— O virtue, never but by labour to be won, First object of all human life, For such a prize as thee There is no toil, there is no strife, Nor even death which any Greek would shun; Such is the guerdon fair and free, And lasting too, with which thou dost thy followers grace,— Better than gold, Better than sleep, or e'en the glories old Of high descent and noble race. For you Jove's mighty son, great Hercules, Forsook a life of ease; For you the Spartan brothers twain Sought toil and danger, following your behests With fearless and unwearied breasts. Your love it was that fired and gave To early grave Achilles and the giant son Of Salaminian Telamon. And now for you Atarneus' pride, Trusting in others' faith, has nobly died; But yet his name Shall never die, the Muses' holy train Shall bear him to the skies with deathless fame, Honouring Jove, the hospitable god, And honest hearts, proved friendship's blest abode.
