To Demetrius. (358/59)
Pindar says somewhere that he is the guardian of golden apples, that they belong to the Muses, and that he distributes them to different people at different times. I think he is talking nonsense, but in your eyes I seem to produce golden work. And now, on the strength of my lament, you have enrolled me among the tragic poets. Consider whether Sophocles or any of his fellow craftsmen would put up with that.
But since I cannot stop you from craving my work, I am sending you what you asked for: the piece where I discuss payment, the praise of Strategius, and the speech for the festival. Here, then, is a fourth offering for you -- my eulogy, which the city heard, at least to the extent that custom permitted. The festival itself was an achievement, the kind of thing that drives people from the countryside into the cities.
**To Demetrius** (358/59)
Pindar somewhere claims to be the guardian of golden apples, and that these belong to the Muses, who distribute them now to one person, now to another. I, for my part, consider myself to be talking nonsense, yet to you I appear to produce golden work. And now, on the basis of my lamentations, you have enrolled me among the tragic poets. Consider whether Sophocles, or any other practitioner of his art, will stand for that. But since I cannot stop you from craving my writings, I am sending you the pieces you request: my discourse on fees, my encomium of Strategius, and indeed my oration for the contest as well. And so a fourth piece now comes to you — the speech in praise of our city, which the city itself heard delivered, at least insofar as the laws permitted. The festival, meanwhile, was an affair from which the masses flee — taking refuge in the cities.
Pindar says somewhere that he is the guardian of golden apples, that they belong to the Muses, and that he distributes them to different people at different times. I think he is talking nonsense, but in your eyes I seem to produce golden work. And now, on the strength of my lament, you have enrolled me among the tragic poets. Consider whether Sophocles or any of his fellow craftsmen would put up with that.
But since I cannot stop you from craving my work, I am sending you what you asked for: the piece where I discuss payment, the praise of Strategius, and the speech for the festival. Here, then, is a fourth offering for you -- my eulogy, which the city heard, at least to the extent that custom permitted. The festival itself was an achievement, the kind of thing that drives people from the countryside into the cities.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.