I HEARD lately, Caphisias, a neat saying of a painter,
comprised in a similitude upon those that came to view his
pictures. For he said, the ignorant and unskilful were like
those that saluted a whole company together, but the
curious and knowing like those that complimented each
single person; for the former take no exact, but only one
general view of the performance; but those that with
judgment examine part by part take notice of every stroke
that is either well or ill done in the whole picture. The
duller and lazy sort are abundantly satisfied with a short
account and upshot of any business. But he that is of a
generous and noble temper, that is fitted to be a spectator
of virtue, as of a curious piece of art, is more delighted
with the particulars. For, upon a general view, much of
fortune is discovered; but when the particulars are examined, then appear the art and contrivance, the boldness
in conquering intervening accidents, and the reason that
was mixed with and tempered the heat and fury of the
undertakers. Suppose us to be of this sort, and give us
an account of the whole design, how from the very beginning it was carried on, what company you kept, and what
particular discourse you had that day;—a thing so much
desired, that I protest I would willingly go to Thebes to be
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informed, did not the Athenians already suspect me to lean
too much to the Boeotian interest.
CAPHISIAS. Indeed Archidamus, your kind eagerness
after this story is so obliging, that, putting myself above all
business (as Pindar says), I should have come on purpose
to give you a relation. But since I am now come upon an
embassy, and have nothing to do until I receive an answer
to my memorial, to be uncivil and not to satisfy the request
of an obliging friend would revive the old reproach that
hath been cast upon the Boeotians for morose sullenness and
hating good discourse, a reproach which began to die in
the time of Socrates. But as for the rest of the company,
pray sir, are they at leisure to hear such a story?—for I
must be very long, since you enjoin me to add the particular discourses that passed between us.
ARCH. You do not know the men, Caphisias, though
they are worthy your acquaintance; men of good families,
and no enemies to you. This is Lysithides, Thrasybulus's
nephew; this Timotheus, the son of Conon; these
Archinus's sons; and all the rest my very good acquaintance, so that you need not doubt a favorable and obliging
audience.
CAPH. Very well; but where shall I begin the story?
How much of these affairs are you acquainted with
already?
ARCH. We know, Caphisias, how matters stood at
Thebes before the exiles returned,—how Archias, Leontidas, and their associates, having persuaded Phoebidas the
Spartan in the time of peace to surprise that castle, banished some of the citizens, awed others, took the power
into their own hands, and tyrannized against all equity and
law. We understood Melon's and Pelopidas's designs,
having (as you know) entertained them, and having conversed with them ever since they were banished. We
knew likewise that the Spartans fined Phoebidas for taking
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the Cadmea, and in their expedition to Olynthus cashiered
him; but sent a stronger garrison, under Lysinoridas and
two more, to command the castle; and further, that Ismenias presently after his trial was basely murdered. For
Gorgidas wrote constantly to the exiles, and sent them all
the news; so that you have nothing to do but only to inform us in the particulars of your friends' return and the
seizing of the tyrants.
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