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IN EXILE.
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had to do dirty work, and to put up with snubs he never dreamed of in his palmy club-life at home. His sensibilities were outraged by vulgar nouveaux riches who employed his talent, as well as by professionals who quizzed him as an amateur. Fortunately he could get his revenge in a cheap way upon both classes. Here is his thrust at the former:—
"Dunces are often rich, while indigence
Thwarts the designs of elegance and sense.
Nor wealth alone, nor judgment can avail;
In either case art and improvement fail."—(F.)
Thwarts the designs of elegance and sense.
Nor wealth alone, nor judgment can avail;
In either case art and improvement fail."—(F.)
As to the latter, nothing can be more fair and open than the test to which he proposes to submit his own pretensions, and those of one Academus, who had twitted him with being a cross between an artist and an amateur:—
"I wish that a fair trial were prepared,
Friend Academus! with the prize declared,
A comely slave, the conqueror's reward;
For a full proof betwixt myself and you,
Which is the better minstrel of the two.
Then would I show you that a mule surpasses
In his performance all the breed of asses.
Enough of such discourse: now let us try
To join our best endeavours, you and I,
With voice and music; since the Muse has blessed
Us both with her endowments; and possessed
With the fair science of harmonious sound
The neighbouring people, and the cities round."—(F.)
Friend Academus! with the prize declared,
A comely slave, the conqueror's reward;
For a full proof betwixt myself and you,
Which is the better minstrel of the two.
Then would I show you that a mule surpasses
In his performance all the breed of asses.
Enough of such discourse: now let us try
To join our best endeavours, you and I,
With voice and music; since the Muse has blessed
Us both with her endowments; and possessed
With the fair science of harmonious sound
The neighbouring people, and the cities round."—(F.)
The retort was two-edged. Whilst Theognis turns
