115
Socrates having for a long time endured his Wifes brawling, went out of his House, and sat down before the Door, to rid himself of her Importunity. This Woman enrag’d to find that all her Scolding was not able to disturb his Tranquillity, flung a Chamber-pot-full upon his Head. Those that happened to see it laughed at poor Socrates; but that Philosopher told them smiling: I thought indeed after so much Thunder we should have some Rain.
115
Socrate, aprés avoir long tems souffert la Criaillerie de sa Femme, sortit de sa Maison, & s’assit devant sa porte pour se delivrer de son importunité; cette femme indignée de voir que tous ses cris n’ètoient point capables d’ébranler sa tranquillité, lui versa sur la tête un Pot de Chambre. Ceux qui apperceurent-cette Action se rioient du pauvre Socrate; mais ce Philosophe souriant aussi, leur dit: je me doutois bien qu’aprés un si grand Tonnerre nous aurions de la Pluye.
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.
117
Pericles being accused for laying out the Publick Revenues upon Buildings, Publick Ornaments, and Offerings to the Gods: Will you give me leave, said he, to the People, to get my name ingraved upon all those things instead of yours, and I’ll be at the charge of them out of my own Pocket. At which Words, the People out of a point of Honour, refused to accept his Proposal, and permitted him to go on with his Magnificence in the Name of the People.