Here his misfortunes and poetical talent gained him the friendship of one Tychias, an armourer.

"And up to my time," continued the author, "the inhabitants showed the place where he used to sit when giving a recitation of his verses, and they greatly honoured the spot.

Here also a poplar grew, which they said had sprung up ever since Melesigenes arrived".( 4) But poverty still drove him on, and he went by way of Larissa, as being the most convenient road.

Here, the Cumans say, he composed an epitaph on Gordius, king of Phrygia, which has however, and with greater probability, been attributed to Cleobulus of Lindus.( 5) Arrived at Cumae, he frequented the _converzationes_( 6) of the old men, and delighted all by the charms of his poetry.

Encouraged by this favourable reception, he declared that, if they would allow him a public maintenance, he would render their city most gloriously renowned.