n ode in praise of Herodotus.

Then he went on, and though I were to write with a hundred hands (like
Briareus, of whom Homer makes mention) I could not tell you all the
things that the priest said against Herodotus, speaking truly, or not
truly, or sometimes correctly and sometimes not, as often befalls mortal
men. For Herodotus, he said, was chiefly concerned to steal the lore of
those who came before him, such as Hecataeus, and then to escape notice
as having stolen it. Also he said that, being himself cunning and
deceitful, Herodotus was easily beguiled by the cunning of others,
and believed in things manifestly false, such as the story of the
Phoenix-bird.

Then I spoke, and said that Herodotus himself declared that he could
not believe that story; but the priest regarded me not. And he said that
Herodotus had never caught a crocodile with cold pig, nor did he ever
visit Assyria, nor Babylon, nor Elephantine; but, saying that he had
been in these lands, said that which was not true. He also declared
that Herodotus, when he travelled, knew none of the Fat Ones of the
Egyptians, but only those of the baser sort. And he called Herodotus a
thief and a beguiler, and 'the same with intent to deceive,' as one of
their own poets writes, and, to be short, Herodotus, I could not tell
you in one day all the charges which are now brought against you; but
concerning the truth of these things, _you_ know, not least, but most,
as to yourself being guilty or innocent. Wherefore, if you have anything
to show or set forth whereby you may be relieved from the burden of
these accusations, now is the time. Be no more silent; but, whether
through the Oracle of the Dead, or the Oracle of Branchidae, or that in
Delphi, or Dodona, or of Amphiaraus at Oropus, speak to your friends and
lovers (whereof I am one from of old) and let men know the very truth.

Now, concerning the priests in the City of the Ford of the Ox, it is to
be said that of all men whom we know they receive strangers most gladly,
feasting them all day. Moreover, they have many drinks, cunningly mixed,
and of these the best is that they call Archdeacon, naming it from
one of the priests' offices. Truly, as Homer says (if the Odyssey be
Homer's), 'when that draught is poured into the bowl then it is no
pleasure to refrain.'

Drinking of this wine, or nectar, Herodotus, I pledge you, and pour
forth some deal on the ground, to Herodotus of Halicarnassus, in the
House of Ha