EPICURUS 



(B.C. 342 



8 THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



of my friends mentioned below, who desire to devote themselves 

 in common to study and philosophy therein, for everyone cannot 

 always travel : provided that they shall not be able to alienate 

 this property ; it shall not belong to any of them individually ; 

 but they shall own it in common as a sacred possession, and 

 shall enjoy it peaceably and amicably as is just and fitting. I 

 admit to this common enjoyment Hipparchus, Neleus, Straton, 

 Callinus, Demotimus, Democrates, Callisthenes, Melantus, 

 Pancreon and Nicippus. Arist^^pson of Metrodorus and of 

 Pythias, shall enjoy the same rigFiTs, and shall share them with 

 these, if he desire to devote himself to philosophy ; in this case 

 the eldest shall take every possible care of him, to the end that 

 he may make progress in science. I .desire to be buried in the 

 part of the garden judged to be most fitting, and no excessive 

 expense shall be incurred for my funeral or my tomb. After the 

 last rites have been paid me according to my will, and the 

 temple, my tomb, my garden, and the walk have been provided 

 for, I direct that Pompylus, who inhabits the garden, shall keep 

 the custody of it, as before, and that he shall likewise have the 

 superintendence of all the rest. — Will of llieophrastus, preserved 

 by Diogenes Laeriius. 



— ^aam— 



i^US A S for myself, truly (I speak modestly, and therefore may be 

 270). r\ permitted) I am not only well content, but highly pleased 

 with the Plants and Fruits growing in these my own little 

 Gardens ; and have this Inscription over the door, ' Stranger, 

 Here, if you please, you may abide in a good condition ; Here, 

 the Supreme Good is Pleasure; the Steward of this homely 

 Cottage is hospitable, humane, and ready to receive you ; He 

 shall afford you Barley-broth, and pure water of the Spring, 

 and say, Friend, are you not well entertained ? For, these 

 Gardens do not invite hunger, but satisfie it ; nor encrease 

 your thirst with drinks, while they should extinguish it, but 

 wholly overcome it with a Natural and Grateful Liquor.' — 

 Epicurus' s Morals^ Englished by W. Char el to n^ M.D.^ 1655. 



