One of the most particular details of a real dialogue, which we meet with in antiquity, is related
by POLYBIUS;*46 when PHILIP, king of MACEDON, a prince of wit and parts, met with
TITUS FLAMININUS, one of the politest of the ROMANS, as we learn from PLUTARCH,*47
accompanied with ambassadors from almost all the GREEK cities. The ÆTOLIAN ambassador
very abruptly tells the king, that he talked like a fool or a madman ( ). That's
evident, says his majesty, even to a blind man; which was a raillery on the blindness of his
excellency. Yet all this did not pass the usual bounds: For the conference was not disturbed; and
FLAMININUS was very well diverted with these strokes of humour. At the end, when PHILIP
craved a little time to consult with his friends, of whom he had none present, the ROMAN
general, being desirous also to shew his wit, as the historian says, tells him, that perhaps the
reason, why he had none of his friends with him, was because he had murdered them all; which
was actually the case. This unprovoked piece of rusticity is not condemned by the historian;
caused no farther resentment in PHILIP, than to excite a SARDONIAN smile, or what we call a
grin; and hindered him not from renewing the conference next day. PLUTARCH*48 too
mentions this raillery amongst the witty and agreeable sayings of FLAMININUS.i , j
I.
XIV.35
One of the most particular details of a real dialogue, which we meet with in antiquity, is relatedby POLYBIUS;*46 when PHILIP, king of MACEDON, a prince of wit and parts, met withTITUS FLAMININUS, one of the politest of the ROMANS, as we learn from PLUTARCH,*47accompanied with ambassadors from almost all the GREEK cities. The ÆTOLIAN ambassadorvery abruptly tells the king, that he talked like a fool or a madman ( ). That'sevident, says his majesty, even to a blind man; which was a raillery on the blindness of hisexcellency. Yet all this did not pass the usual bounds: For the conference was not disturbed; andFLAMININUS was very well diverted with these strokes of humour. At the end, when PHILIPcraved a little time to consult with his friends, of whom he had none present, the ROMANgeneral, being desirous also to shew his wit, as the historian says, tells him, that perhaps thereason, why he had none of his friends with him, was because he had murdered them all; whichwas actually the case. This unprovoked piece of rusticity is not condemned by the historian;caused no farther resentment in PHILIP, than to excite a SARDONIAN smile, or what we call agrin; and hindered him not from renewing the conference next day. PLUTARCH*48 toomentions this raillery amongst the witty and agreeable sayings of FLAMININUS.i , jI.XIV.35
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