“An Atarne’an stranger once to Pittacus applied, That ancient sage, Hyrradius’ son, and Mytilene’s pride; ‘Grave sir, betwixt two marriages I now have power to choose. And hope you will advise me which to take and which refuse. One of the maidens, every way, is very near myself; The other’s far above me, both in pedigree and pelf. Now which is best?’ The old man raised the staff which old men bear, And with it pointed to some boys that then were playing there, Whipping their tops along the street:‘Their steps,’ he said,‘pursue, And look and listen carefully; they’ll tell you what to do.’ Following them, the stranger went to see what might befall, And‘Whip the top that’s nearest you!’ was still their constant call. He, by this boyish lesson taught, resigned the high-born dame, And wed the maiden‘nearest him.’ Go thou and do the same.” ENVY. “Poor Diophon of envy died, His brother thief to see Nailed near him, to be crucified, Upon a higher tree.” THE FLEAS OUTWITTED. “A countryman once who was troubled with fleas, Jumped up out of bed in a thundering breeze, And triumphantly cried, as he blew out the light, ‘Now I have you, you rogues, you can’t see where to bite!’” LUCIAN. CURES FOR LOVE. “Hunger, perhaps, may cure your love, Or time your passion greatly alter; If both should unsuccessful prove, I strongly recommend a halter.”—CRATES. “Too much is always bad; old proverbs call E’en too much honey nothing else than gall.” THE RAVEN LOCKS. “Chloe, those locks of raven hair— Some people say you dye them black; But that’s a libel, I can swear, For I know where you buy them black.” LOVE SONG. “The winecup is glad: dear Zenophilè’s lip It boasts to have touched, when she stooped down to sip. Happy winecup! I wish that, with lips joined to mine, All my soul at a draught she would drink up like wine.” “Short is the rose’s bloom; another morn Will show no rose, but in its stead, a thorn.” HELIODORA’S GARLAND. “I’ll frame, my Heliodora! a garland for thy hair, Which thou, in all thy beauty’s pride, mayst not disdain to wear; For I, with tender myrtles, white violets will twine— White violets, but not so pure as that pure breast of thine: With laughing lilies I will twine narcissus; and the sweet Crocus shall in its yellow hue with purple hyacinth meet: And I will twine with all the rest, and all the rest above, Queen of them all, the red, red Rose, the flower which lovers love.” MELEAGER. GEMS OF GREEK THOUGHT. HOMER.