It was during the reign of Dionysius the Elder that occurred that memorable incident in the lives of Damon and Pythias by which Dionysius himself is best remembered, and which has passed into history as illustrative of the truest and noblest friendship. Damon and Pythias were distinguished Syracusans, and both were Pythagore'ans. Pythias, a strong republican, having been seized for calling Dionysius a tyrant, and being condemned to death for attempting to stab him, requested a brief respite in order to arrange his affairs, promising to procure a friend to take his place and suffer death if he should not return. Damon gave himself up as surety, and Pythias was allowed to depart. Just as Damon was about to be led to execution, Pythias, who had been detained by unforeseen circumstances, returned to accept his fate and save his friend. Dionysius was so struck by these proofs of virtue and magnanimity on the part of the two friends that he set both of them free, and requested to be admitted into their friendship. The subject has been repeatedly dramatized, and has formed the theme of numerous separate poems. Schiller has a ballad on the subject; but he amplifies the incidents of the original story, and substitutes other names in place of Damon and Pythias. The following are the first three and the last three verses from SCHILLER: The Hostage. The tyrant Di'onys to seek, Stern Moe'rus with his poniard crept; The watchful guards upon him swept; The grim King marked his changeless cheek: "What wouldst thou with thy poniard? Speak!" "The city from the tyrant free!" "The death-cross shall thy guerdon be." "I am prepared for death, nor pray," Replied that haughty man, "to live; Enough if thou one grace wilt give: For three brief suns the death delay, To wed my sister--leagues away; I boast one friend whose life for mine, If I should fail the cross, is thine." The tyrant mused, and smiled, and said, With gloomy craft, "So let it be; Three days I will vouchsafe to thee. But mark--if, when the time be sped, Thou fail'st, thy surety dies instead. His life shall buy thine own release; Thy guilt atoned, my wrath shall cease." * * * * * The sun sinks down--the gate's in view, The cross looms dismal on the ground-- The eager crowd gape murmuring round. His friend is bound the cross unto. Crowd--guards--all--bursts he through; "Me! Doomsman, me," he shouts, "alone! His life is rescued--lo, mine own!" Amazement seized the circling ring! Linked in each other's arms the pair-- Weeping for joy, yet anguish there! Moist every eye that gazed: they bring The wondrous tidings to the King-- His breast man's heart at last hath known, And the Friends stand before his throne.