文档介绍：The Sportsman
The Sportsman
by Xenophon
Translation by H. G. Dakyns
1
The Sportsman
Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 . He was a pupil of
Socrates. He marched with the Spartans, and was exiled from Athens.
Sparta gave him land and property in Scillus, where he lived for many
years before having to move once more, to settle in Corinth. He died in
354 .
The Sportsman is a manual on hunting hares, deer and wild boar,
including the topics of dogs, and the benefits of hunting for the young.
2
The Sportsman
I
To the gods themselves is due the discovery, to Apollo and Artemis,
patrons of the chase and protectors of the hound.[1] As a guerdon they
bestowed it upon Cheiron,[2] by reason of his uprightness, and he took it
and was glad, and turned the gift to good account. At his feet sat many a
disciple, to whom he taught the mystery of hunting and of chivalry[3]--to
wit, Cephalus, Asclepius, Melanion, Nestor, Amphiaraus, Peleus, Telamon,
Meleager, Theseus and Hippolytus, Palamedes, Odysseus, Menestheus,
Diomed, Castor and Polydeuces, Machaon and Podaleirius, Antilochus,
Aeneas and Achilles: of whom each in his turn was honoured by the gods.
And let none marvel that of these the greater part, albeit well-pleasing to
the gods, nevertheless were subject to death--which is the way of nature,[4]
but their fame has grown--nor yet that their prime of manhood so far
differed. The lifetime of Cheiron sufficed for all his scholars; the fact
being that Zeus and Cheiron were brethren, sons of the same father but of
different mothers--Zeus of Rhea, and Cheiron of the nymph Nais;[5] and
so it is that, though older than all of them, he died not before he had taught
the youngest--to wit, the boy Achilles.[6]
[1] Or, "This thing is the invention of no mortal man, but of Apollo
and Artemis, to whom belong hunting and dogs." For the style of
exordium L. Dind. cf (Ps.) Dion. "Art. rhet." ad in.; Galen, "Isagog."
ad in.; Alex. Aphrodis. "Probl.