24
There was at Rome, in the Time of the Emperour Augustus, a poor Greek Poet who from time to time, when the Emperour went out of his Palace, presented him with a Greek Epigram; and though the Emperour took it, yet he never gave him any thing; on the contrary, having a mind one Day to ridicule him and shake him off, assoon as he saw him coming to present him with his Verses, the Emperour sent him a Greek Epigram of his own Composing, and writ with his own Hand. The Poet received it with joy, and as he was reading of it, he shewed by his Face and Gestures that he was mightily pleased with it. After he had read it, he pulled out his Purse, and coming up to Augustus, gave him some few Pence, saying, take this Money, Cesar, I give it you, not according to your great Fortune, but according to my poor Ability; had I more, my liberality would be greater. The whole company fell a laughing, and the Emperour more than the rest, who ordered him a hundred thousand Crowns.
24
Il y avoit à Rome, du tems de l’Empereur Auguste, un pauvre Poëte Grec qui de temps en temps, lors que l’Empereur sortoit du Palais, lui presentoit une épigramme Grecque, mais quoy que l’Empereur la prit, il ne luy donnoit pourtant jamais rien; au contraire, voulant un jour se moquer de lui, & le congedier, lors qu’il le vit venir pour presenter ses Vers, l’Empereur lui envoya une épigramme en Grec de sa composition, & écrite de sa main; le Poëte la receut avec joye, la leut, & fit voir en la lisant par son Visage & par les gestes qu’elle lui plaisoit beaucoup: l’ayant leüe, il tira sa bourse, & s’approchant d’Auguste, il lui donna quelques Sols, lui disant, prenez cét argent Cesar, je vous le donne, non selon vôtre haute fortune, mais selon mon petit pouvoir, si j’en avois davantage ma liberalité seroit plus grande; tout le monde se mit à rire, l’Empereur lui même plus que les autres, & lui fit donner cent mille écus.