116
Zeuxis contending with Parrhasius about the Excellence of their Pictures, drew some Grapes so much to the Life, that Birds came to peck at them. As for Parrhasius he exposed to view a Curtain so well done, that Zeuxis proud of the sucess of his Work, told him hastily, that ’twas not a time to hide his Picture, and offered to draw the Curtain himself; but perceiving his Mistake: Well, said he, I have done with thee; I only cheated Birds, but thou hast cheated the Painter himself.
116
Zeuxis disputant avec Parrhasius de l’excellence de leurs Tableaux, peignit des Raisins si fort au Naturel, que les Oiseaux venoient les bequeter. Parrhasius de son côté exposa en vuë un rideau si bien-fait, que Zeuxis enflé du succez de son ouvrage, lui dit impatiemment, que ce n’ètoit pas là le tems de cacher son Tableau, & voulut tirer le rideau lui même, mais appercevant son Erreur: Ah! lui dit il, je te quitte; je n’ai trompé que les Oiseaux, & tu as trompé le Peintre même.