In his essay "On Delays," Bacon quotes a "common verse" to this
effect:--"Occasion turneth a bald noddle after she hath presented her
locks in front, and no hold taken." As no reference is given, some
readers may be glad to see the original, which occurs in an epigram on
[Greek: Kairos] (Brunck's _Analecta_, ii. 49.; Posidippi Epigr. 13. in
Jacob's _Anthol._ ii. 49.).
[Greek:
Hae de komae, ti kat' opsin; hupantiasanti labesthai,
nae Dia. Taxopithen d' eis ti phalakra pelei;
Ton gar apax ptaenoisi parathrexanta me possin
outis eth' himeiron draxetai exopithen.]
In Jermey Taylor's _Life of Christ_ (Pref. § 29. p. 23. Eden's edition),
it is said that Mela and Solinus report of the Thracians that they
believed in the resurrection of the dead. That passage of Mela referred
to is, l. ii. c. ii. § 3., where see Tzschucke.
In the same work (Pref. § 20. p. 17.), "Ælian tells us of a nation who
had a law binding them to beat their parents to death with clubs when
they lived to a decrepit age." See Ælian, _Var. Hist._ iv. 1. p. 330.
Gronov., who, however, says nothing of clubs.
In the next sentence, the statement, "the Persian _magi_ mingled with
their mothers and all their nearest relatives," is from Xanthus (Fragm.
28., Didot), apud Clem. Alexandr. (Strom. iii. p. 431 A.). See Jacob's
_Lect. Stob._ p. 144.; Bahr, _On Herodotus_, iii. 31.
In the same work (Part I. sect. viii. § 5. note _n_, p. 174.) is a
quotation from Seneca, "O quam contempta res est homo, nisi super humana
se erexerit!" which is plainly the original of the lines of Daniel, so
often quoted by Coleridge ("Epistle to the Countess of Cumberland"):--
"Unless above himself he can
Erect himself, now mean a thing is man!"
Perhaps some of your readers can supply the reference to the passage in
Seneca; which is wanting in Mr. Eden's edition.
In Part III. sect. xv. § 19. p. 694. note _a_, of the _Life of Christ_,
is a quotation from Strabo, lib. xv. _Add._ p. 713., Casaub.
As the two great writers on whom I have made these notes are now in
course of publication, any notes which your correspondents can furnish
upon them cannot fail to be welcome. Milton also, and Pope, are in the
hands of competent editors, who, doubtless, would be glad to have their
work rendered more complete through the medium of "NOTES AND QUERIES."