But now, my soul, sometime an heavenly power.
Descended thence into this earthly bower,
Speaks thus to me: Learn, and betimes take heed,
Love not this world too much, I do thee rede.
And Nausithous, leaving the wide and large country Hyperia, for that the Cyclopes were so near neighbours unto it, and departing into an island far remote from other men, where he lived alone by himself without conversing with any people,
From other mortal men apart,
Of surging sea within the heart,
provided for his citizens and subjects a most pleasant life. As for the islands called Cyclades, they were at first (by report) inhabited by the children of Minos, and afterwards the offspring of Codrus and Neleus held the same, into which foolish persons nowadays think themselves sore punished and undone for ever if they be confined. And yet, what island is there destined and appointed for exiled and banished people but it is larger than the territory Scilluntia, wherein Xenophon, after that renowned expedition and voyage of his into Persia, passed his old age in elegancy and much happiness? semblably, the Academy, a little pingle or plot of ground, the purchase whereof cost not above three thousand drachms, was the habitation of Plato, Xenocrates and Polemon, wherein they kept their schools, and lived at repose all their lifetime: and yet I must needs except one day every year, upon which Xenocrates was wont to go down to the city, for to see the plays and pastimes exhibited with new tragedies at the feast called Bacchanals, only to honour (as folk said) and countenance that solemnity with his personal presence. Also Theocritus of Chios challenged and reproached Aristotle many times, for that to live in the court of Philip and Alexander,
Upon the mouth of Borborus to dwell
He chose, and Academy bade farewell.
Now was this Borborus a river, so called by the Macedonians, which ran along the city of Pella in Macedonia. As for islands. Homer the poet doth of purpose and expressly recommend unto us and celebrate them with heavenly and divine praises in this wise:
At Lemnos he arrived then,
Whereas the city stood.
In which sometime that prince divine.
King Thoas made abode:
And whatsoever Lesbos isle,
The palace and the seat
Of gods above contains enclos'd
Within her pourpris great.
