Simonides, the very same of whom I have {before} made mention, agreed, at a fixed price, to write a panegyric for a certain Pugilist,[36] who had been victorious: {accordingly} he sought retirement. As the meagreness of his subject cramped his imagination, he used, according to general custom, the license of the Poet, and introduced the twin stars of Leda,[37] citing them as an example of similar honours. He finished the Poem according to contract, but received {only} a third part of the sum agreed upon. On his demanding the rest: “They,” said he, “will give it you whose praises occupy {the other} two-thirds; but, that I may feel convinced that you have not departed in anger, promise to dine with me, {as} I intend to-day to invite my kinsmen, in the number of whom I reckon you.” Although defrauded, and smarting under the injury, in order that he might not, by parting on bad terms, break off all friendly intercourse, he promised that he would. At the hour named he returned, {and} took his place at table. The banquet shone joyously with its cups; the house resounded with gladness, amid vast preparations, when, on a sudden, two young men, covered with dust, and dripping with perspiration, their bodies of more than human form, requested one of the servants to call Simonides to them, {and say} that it was of consequence to him to make no delay. The man, quite confused, called forth Simonides; {and} hardly had he put one foot out of the banquetting room, when suddenly the fall of the ceiling crushed the rest, and no young men were to be seen at the gate. When the circumstances of the story I have told were made known, all were persuaded that the personal intervention of the Divinities had saved the Poet’s life by way of reward. [Footnote IV.36: _A certain Pugilist_)--Ver. 5. “Pyctæ;” from the Greek πυκτὴς, a “boxer,” or “pugilist,” Latinized.] [Footnote IV.37: _Twin stars of Leda_)--Ver. 9. Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Leda.] EPILOGUE. There are still remaining many things which I might say, and there is a copious abundance of subjects; but {though} witticisms, well-timed, are pleasing; out of place, they disgust. Wherefore, most upright Particulo (a name destined to live in my writings, so long as a value shall continue to be set upon the Latin literature), if {you like not} my genius, at least approve my brevity, which has the more just claim to be commended, seeing how wearisome Poets {usually} are.[38] [Footnote IV.38: _Usually are_)--Ver. 9. Orellius introduces this after Fable V in the Fifth Book.] BOOK V. PROLOGUE.