In Greece and Italy 293 



Hybla is a name that was given to several cities flourisli- 

 ing at different periods in Sicily, and the thyme-covered 

 hills about these cities yielded the famous honey. 



Sicily was finally settled by Greek colonists after having 

 been looked upon in terror for a long time on account of 

 the pirates that were believed to infest it, as Strabo relates. 

 Concerning its final settlement Strabo tells us : — 



"Theocles the Athenian, however, having been driven to 

 Sicily by storms, observed both the weakness of the inhabit- 

 ants and excellence of the soil. On his return home, he 

 was unable to persuade the Athenians to make any attempt, 

 but he collected a numerous band of Chalcidians in Euboea, 

 with some lonians and Dorians, whereof the most part were 

 Megarenses, and sailed. The Chalcidians founded Naxos, 

 and the Dorians Megara, which was at first called Hybla. 

 These cities no longer exist, but the name of Hybla sur- 

 vives on account of the Hyblaean honey." 



Virgil in one of his " Bucohcs " sings : — 



" Galatea, daughter of Nereus, sweeter to me than 

 Hybla's thyme, whiter than swans, fairer than white ivy ; 

 soon as the well-fed steers shall return to their stalls, come, 

 if thou hast any regard for Corydon." 



And again Virgil sings : — 



" On this side, a hedge planted at the adjoining boun- 

 dary, whose willow blossoms are ever fed on by Hyblaean 

 bees, shall often court you by its gentle hummings to 

 indulge repose." 



" Give me, Diadumenus," says Martial, " close kisses. 

 ' How many?' you say. You bid me count the waves of 

 the ocean, the shells scattered on the shore of the ^gean 

 Sea, the bees that wander on Attic Hybla, or the voices and 

 clapping that resound in the full theatre when the people 

 suddenly see the countenance of the Emperor ... he 

 wants but few who can count them. " 



