The Images of Philostratus

on a leash along the streets. All those little dirty, scruffy, mud-stained curs of the neighborhood break loose to harass him from a distance out of the envy and fear they have of him. And he, being quite brave and noble, is certain as he continues along his fine, great path, hardly deigning to turn his eye toward them, or to show them his teeth in the slightest. He knows very well that they will not come close to him, and that it is an entirely unworthy subject upon which to deploy his strength. But this is of much more importance: not to have one's name written except in a simple draft, and in such small letters that one can hardly read it, without any title, quality, or endorsement that might enlarge and elevate it. For even though the value and perfection of a pierrerie precious stone, whether a Diamant Diamond, Rubiz Ruby, or Esmeraulde Emerald, depends on what nature has put into it; nevertheless, the enrichment given to it when it is properly set in a work—placed as it should be, either upon its tint or upon its foil—acquires for it much luster and grace. It reinforces its native beauty and increases the pleasure of the eye. It is the same with some firm elevation or support. When a great lord, through his liberalitez generosity and good deeds, authorizes the labors of someone, he makes them much more plausible and commendable to the people, who ordinarily follow the opinion of their superiors. Whereas, if he shows that he disdains them and makes no account of them, so that they are forced to wait for their credit from time, it is undoubtedly a very long trouble and delay. But that comes partly from our misfortune, and partly from the great number of writers who hinder one another. They overshadow, stifle, and prevent the plants of the public garden from growing to perfection through an overly thick abundance, when each tries to outdo his companion, not so much by doing better