e no vines
there. Ardalus asked a second question, whether the Scythians had any
gods among them. Yes, quoth Anacharsis, and they understand what men
say to them; nor are the Scythians of the Grecian opinion (however these
last may be the better orators), that the gods are better pleased with
the sounds of flutes and pipes than with the voice of men. My friend,
saith Aesop, what would you say if you saw our present pipe-makers
throw away the bones of fawns and hind-calves, to use those of asses,
affirming they yield the sweeter and more melodious sound? Whereupon
Cleobulina made one of her riddles about the Phrygian flute,... in
regard to the sound, and wondered that an ass, a gross animal and so
alien from music should yet supply bones so fit for harmony. Therefore
it is doubtless, quoth Niloxenus, that the people of Busiris blame
us Naucratians for using pipes made of asses' bones it being an
insufferable crime in an of them to listen to the flute or cornet, the
sound thereof being (as they esteem it) so like the braying of an ass;
and you know an ass is hateful to the Egyptians on account of Typhon.

There happening here a short silence, Periander, observing Niloxenus
willing but not daring to speak, said: I cannot but commend the civility
of those magistrates who give audience first to strangers and afterwards
to their own citizens; wherefore I judge it convenient that we
inhabitants and neighbors should proceed no farther at present in our
discourse, and that now attention be given to those royal propositions
sent us from Egypt, which the worthy Niloxenus is commissioned to
deliver to Bias, who wishes that he and we may scan and examine them
together. And Bias said: For where or in what company would a man more
joyfully adventure to give his opinion than here in this? And since
it is his Majesty's pleasure that I should give my judgment first, in
obedience to his commands I will do so, and afterwards they shall come
to every one of you in order.

Then Niloxenus delivered the paper to Bias, who broke up the seal and
commanded it to be read in all their hearing. The contents were these:

Amasis the king of Egypt, to Bias, the wisest of the Grecians, greeting.
There is a contest between my brother of Ethiopia and myself about
wisdom; and being baffled in divers other particulars, he now demands of
me a thing absurd and impracticable; for he requires me to drink up the
ocean dry. If I be able to read this his riddle,