And I somebody seem, and in the earth do bear a sway."{
Thus Polyphemus singing, fed his raging love of old;
Wherein he sweeter did, than had he sent her sums of gold.
Polyphem's Emblem.
Ubi Dictamum inventiam?
THE SIXTEENTH IDILLION.
Argument.
The style of this Poem is more lofty than any of the rest, and Theocritus wrote it to Hiero, King of Syracuse in Sicily. Wherein he reproveth the nigardise of Princes and Great Men towards the Learned, and namely [especially] Poets: in whose power it is to make men famous to all posterity. Towards the end, he praiseth Hiero; and prayeth that Sicily may be delivered by his prowess from the invasions of the Carthaginians. This Idillion is named Hiero in respect of the person to whom it was written; or Charites, that is, "Graces," in respect of the matter whereof it treateth.