32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



240. 'EvpvfjLa)(^ov '^v^fjv Koi inrepcfiidXovs 8iavoias 

 aidrjp vypoi e^^': crapa 8i rvfi^os ode. 



227 is an excellent example to show the change in taste since the fifth 

 century; the verses are half rhetoric, half jest, wholly frigid : 



OvTos OS ivddde Kflrai ejj^et pep rovvopa Kpiov 

 (fxoTos [8e] ■^v)(fiv eaxe diKaioTarov. 



The fact that the name is sometimes omitted altogether ^24 f^-Qm 

 the epigram shows that the epigram has come by this time to be re- 

 garded as pure ornament. Unfortunately it is an ornament which 

 does not always adorn, and at times differs from the most prosaic prose 

 only by being metrical. So, for example, 276 a-f are verses of an un- 

 broken mediocrity ; it would be difficult to find a group of epigrams 

 which displays less charm and eloquence. 



That the utility of the epigram had fallen into the background is 

 ^ell shown by 222 : 



a) '^vxr) pev TrpoXiTTovcra to aov \^rfpr]Tpie aa>pa 



o'xerai eli Epf3os • a co(p po a vvris 8e X'^P'f 

 OdWei ayrjparos " Tvp3co 8e iT[e 6r]<e Onvovra 

 Ep$is Icrov arep^aa oiat TeK]ecrcriv opov. 



b) "Kc^dovov evKoylas Trrjyriv di.r]p\T]TpLe Xelneis 



daKTjaas Kocrpov (Tw(ppocrvpr][v re Tp67:a)i> 

 a>v ere xdpiv arep^acr Ep^is TeK]ee(T(Tiu opoiayg 

 pvqpeiov (piXias rev^e Td({>[ov (^Oipevui. 



Here we have two complete epigrams expressing the same ideas in 

 almost the same language. ^^5 The poet, or rather versifier, wished to 

 exhibit his skill. If we find such exercises actually inscribed, it is no 

 proof of spuriousness that two epigrams, which seem to be intended 

 for the same tombstone, .should be ascribed to Plato. ^^s 



Numerous epigrams of this century show that the authors had failed 

 to attain the grandeur of the earlier masters, and had not as yet ac- 

 quired that polished elegance which is the charm of much of the Alex- 

 andrian work. But among many empty and affected verses a few 

 stand out superior to their surroundings. 



233 has something of the early dignity : 



a) E«] Toiojvbe av8pS)u eX-q iroKis. ovnor hv avr[^s 



f];^^^ot crrrjcraifv Zrjvl TpoTzaiov fdos. 



b) K]T[a)|i]ei'oi' evK\eia[v 8]op\ koi Xfp\ rouSe npos d[v]8p6s 



(X^poii ^ Api]<t[t]6kp[it\ov wXeae dovpos 'Aptjs 



"* See Table I. "» Cf. iCO, 241. "• See j.. 34. 



