24 THALIA.

" with uninterupted good fortune. I do not remcm-
u ber to have heard of any man remarkable for a con­
stant succession of prosperous events, whose end
" has not been finally calamitous. If, therefore, you
"value my counsel, you will provide this remedy
"against the excess of your prosperity:—Examine
" well what thing it is which you deem of. the highest
"consequence to your happiness, and the loss of
"which would most afflict you. When you shall
" have ascertained this, banish it from you, so that
" there may be no possibility of its return. If after
" this, your good fortune shall still continue without
" diminution or change, you will do well to repeat
" the remedy I propose."

XLI. Polycrates received this letter, and seriously
deliberated on its contents. The advice of Amasis
appeared sagacious, and he resolved to follow it. He
accordingly searched among his treasures for some­
thing, the loss of which would most afflict him. He
conceived this to be a seal-ring, which he occasionally
wore; it was an emerald set in gold, and the work­
manship of Theodorus the Samian, the son of Tele-
cles. Determining to deprive himself of this, he em­
barked in a fifty-oared vessel, with orders to be carried
into the open sea : when he was at some distance
from the island, in the presence of all his attendants,
he took the ring from his finger and cast it into the
sea; having done this, he sailed back again.

XLII. Returning home, he regretted his loss; but
in the course of five or six days this accident occur­
red :—A fisherman caught a fish of such size and
beauty, that he deemed it a proper present for Poly­
crates. He went therefore to the palace, and de­
manded an audience; being admitted, he presented
his fish to Polycrates, with these words: "Although,
" sir, I live by the produce of my industry, I could not
" think of exposing this fish, which I have taken, to
" sale in the market-place, believing it worthy of you
* to accept, which I hope you will." The king was
much gratified, and made him this reply: " My good
" friend, your present and your speech are equally ac-
" ceptable to me; and I beg that I may see you at