through two hundred and fifty thousand years, becoming asses from generation to generation, and carrying heavy burdens, and driven by the poor labourers; and after that period, that it be permitted them finally to die. "Dryskull, the son of Skeleton, of the wardship of Deadborough, of the tribe of Corpseland, proposed this bill." : When this bill had been read, the magistrates gave their votes by ballot, and the people by show of hands; and Brimo1 roared, and Kerberus howled; for in this way the resolutions, that have been read, became complete and binding. Such, I assure you, were the proceedings in the Popular Assembly. I-in pursuance of the object of my visit -approached Teiresias, and, after explaining everything, begged him to tell me what sort of life he considers to be about the best. Then with a laugh—he is a somewhat blind, little old man, sallow, and shrill-voiced-"My son,” says he, "I know the cause of your doubt and perplexity, that it originated with the philosophers, who do not agree among themselves but it is not permitted me to reveal it to you, for it has been forbidden by Rhadamanthys." "Oh! pray, don't refuse, my good little father," said I, "but tell me, and don't despise me who grope about in life blinder than yourself." Thereupon, you must know, he took me aside and withdrew to a considerable distance from the rest, and, quietly stooping to my ear, he says: "The best and soundest life is that of persons in private station. So do you, leaving off the folly of inquiring into transcendental subtleties, and searching into final ends and causes, and rejecting with contempt their learned sophisms and syllogisms, and deeming such things mere trifling and nonsense, search diligently for this one thing alone-how, making wise use of what you have, you may pass by with a smile of contempt most opinions, pursue nothing with too serious aim." and So spake he, and back he coursed through Asphodelian meadows,2 and I—for it was now evening-"Pray, come," say I, 1 "The terrible one," an alias of Hekate or Persephone. Cf. Apollonius, ̓Αργον. iii. 861. * Ὣς εἰπὼν πάλιν ώρτο κατ' Ασφοδελὸν λειμῶνα. The latter half of this parody is quoted from 'Od. xi. 538, 572. "Mithrobarzanes, why do we longer linger, and not return again to life ?" And to this rejoined he: "Courage, Menippus; for I will show you a short and easy path." And, in fact, he led me to a certain spot, darker and murkier than the rest, pointing to a certain dim and faint light in the distance flowing, as it were, through a chink. That," said he, "is the shrine of Trophonius, and from that place the people of Boeotia make their descent. Ascend, then, by this road, and immediately you will be upon Hellenic soil." Delighted at what he told me was I, and, after taking leave of the Magus, with very much difficulty I crept through the narrow mouth, and here I am, somehow or other, in Lebadeia.1 1 Now Livadhia, a town in Boeotia. The Oracle of Trophonius was situated in a cavern not far distant from the town. See Νεκ. Διαλ. iii. Admetus, Apollo servant to, 217. Eakus, one of the Infernal Judges, Ægina, a nymph beloved by Zeus, Ægyptus, uncle of the nymph Amy- Ælian (an Italian of the third cen- Eneas, warned by Poseidon to Hephaestus at the forge of, 76; 'Ayan Túxn, a solemn Greek for- Agathokles, a physician, 244. Aglaia, Nereus boasts to be the son Agra, famous for the Taj Mahal, his occupation in Hades, 278 note. Alexis, Comic poet, referred to, 92 Alkamenes, Greek sculptor, referred Alkestis, of Euripides, referred to, Alkestis, wife of Admetus, brought from Hades by Herakles, 286 note. Ambrosia, how regarded by the Py- Amenena karena, Homeric synonym for the Dead, 89 note. torian in Greek of the fourth cen- Amykus, the royal Bithynian pugi- 71. Amyntas, father of Philip of Mace- Anakreon, his (spurious) Odes, Anchises, beloved by Aphrodite, 23; Andokides, an Attic orator, referred or Andria, the, of Terence, quoted, 29 Antilochus, son of Nestor, remon- Antinous, the favourite of Hadrian Antioch, Christian, a witty satire of Antiope, a nymph beloved by Zeus, |