Book IX, 280

Laelius the distinguished Roman consul said, looking at the Eurotas, “Hail! Sparta’s stream, of rivers noblest far.” Having thus set his hand to the erudite book of the Muses, he saw over his head a token of learning. The magpies, birds that imitate human life, were calling from the leafy dells in all their various tongues. By them he was encouraged ; and how can the labour not be enviable if even the birds desire (to find expression for their thoughts) ?