Hiero

I Once upon a time Simonides the poet paid a visit to Hiero the "tyrant," (1) and when both obtained the leisure requisite, Simonides began this conversation: (1) Or, "came to the court of the despotic monarch Hiero." For the "dramatis personae" see Dr. Holden's Introduction to the "Hieron" of Xenophon. Would you be pleased to give me information, Hiero, upon certain matters, as to which it is likely you have greater knowledge than myself? (2) (2) Or, "would you oblige me by explaining certain matters, as to which your knowledge naturally transcends my own?" And pray, what sort of things may those be (answered Hiero), of which I can have greater knowledge than yourself, who are so wise a man? I know (replied the poet) that you were once a private person, (3) and are now a monarch. It is but likely, therefore, that having tested both conditions, (4) you should know better than myself, wherein the life of the despotic ruler differs from the life of any ordinary person, looking to the sum of joys and sorrows to which flesh is heir. (3) Or, "a common citizen," "an ordinary mortal," "a private individual." (4) Or, "having experienced both lots in life, both forms of existence."