_Demetrius_ and _Menander_.
When _Demetrius Phalaræus_ (a Tyrant and an Usurper,) took Possession
of _Athens_, how was he Beset and Pursu’d with the _Huzza’s_ and
_Acclamations_ of the People! Nay, and the Leading Men of the City too,
with Joy in their Looks, and Gall in their Hearts, striving who should
be Foremost in the Solemnity, to cry _Vive Demetrius_, and Kiss the
Hand that Enslav’d them. After them follow’d the Men of Ease, Luxury
and Pleasure, for fear of being thought Wanting in point of Affection
and Respect. _Mænander_ the Famous Comical poet was one of the Number,
but in so Loose a Garb and Dress, and with so Unmanly a kind of March
and Motion, that _Demetrius_ had his Eye upon him presently, and call’d
Aloud to know how such an Effeminate Sot durst presume to Appear in
his Presence. Somebody gave the Tyrant immediately a Whisper, and told
him, Sir, says he, This is the Poet _Mænander_ that you your self have
been pleas’d to own so Great an Admiration and Esteem for. _Demetrius_
recollects himself, and changes his Humour in the very instant; calls
_Mænander_ to him, and Treats him with all the Instances imaginable of a
singular Liking and Respect.
The MORAL.
_This Fable sets forth the Slavish Humour and Practice of the World,
upon all Violent Changes, let them be never so Impious and Unjust: And
it shews us again, that no Tyrants Heart can be so Hard, but it may be
Soften’d, and wrought upon by the Force of Wit and Good Letters._