23 



the supposition, that, had he lived till his powers acquired full vigour 

 and maturity, he might have contested the palm of superiority with 

 the most renowned poets of antiquity. But he did not long sur- 

 vive to enjoy his good fortune, or accomplish his poetical pro- 

 jects. He died a victim to the plague, about the thirtieth year of 

 his age, to the inexpressible regret of his parents and countrymen. 

 The latter shewed their grief for his loss, and honor for his menioryi 

 by erecting his statue, and engraving on its base the following 

 inscription : 



OnniANOS »Xtog £<Xov uliitov, a\Xn [*,s fMi^tn 



Betcrxcivog t^ri^va,^s (Ji>tTOi, x^ve^og r h.iha.% [At 



KcM noil ovTtt xarso-j^e rov Ivimris v'!ro<prirr\)>' ' 



E« 3e iro'Kvv (^i y^^ovov ^aio** /*/|M.vj<v <p^otog attti 



lE,ioc(rtV} ov» civ Tig fA>ci iffov yigag zTCKny^i furtn. 



OPPIAN. 



On me the Muse had deathless fame bestowed. 

 But Fate, too soon life's thread asunder tore ; 



Stern Pluto dragged me to his dark abode. 

 While yet in youth I wooed the Muse's lore : 



My life, till age, had Fate malignant spared. 



No poet e'er had brighter glories shared. 



» " ^uo, abest a Cod. Sylb. qui duos ultimos versus sic legit." 



E< 3i iToAui' fci ji^etey fiifiHKi tfiS-wi «"»o5 nam 

 Oux «» /ici TK iron kMcs iXXax^' " X^'" *«™». 



