“Unquestionably.  In all the mechanism of art, such as precision and certainty in working even the hardest materials, the Egyptians, though they have so long stood still in other points, are still far before us; but to model form with freedom, to breathe, like Prometheus, a soul into the stone, they will never learn until their old notions on this subject have been entirely abandoned.  Even the pleasing varieties of corporeal life cannot be represented by a system of mere proportions, much less those which are inner and spiritual.  Look at the countless statues which have been erected during the last three thousand years, in all the temples and palaces from Naukratis up to the Cataracts.  They are all of one type, and represent men of middle age, with grave but benevolent countenances.  Yet they are intended, some as statues of aged monarchs, others to perpetuate the memory of young princes.  The warrior and the lawgiver, the blood-thirsty tyrant and the philanthropist are only distinguished from each other by a difference in size, by which the Egyptian sculptor expresses the idea of power and strength.  Amasis orders a statue just as I should a sword.  Breadth and length being specified, we both of us know quite well, before the master has begun his work, what we shall receive when it is finished.  How could I possibly fashion an infirm old man like an eager youth? a pugilist like a runner in the foot-race? a poet like a warrior?  Put Ibykus and our Spartan friend side by side, and tell me what you would say, were I to give to the stern warrior the gentle features and gestures of our heart-ensnaring poet.”

“Well, and how does Amasis answer your remarks on this stagnation in art?”

“He deplores it; but does not feel himself strong enough to abolish the restrictive laws of the priests.”

“And yet,” said the Delphian, “he has given a large sum towards the embellishment of our new temple, expressly, (I use his own words) for the promotion of Hellenic art!”

“That is admirable in him,” exclaimed Croesus.  “Will the Alkmaeonidae soon have collected the three hundred talents necessary for the completion of the temple?  Were I as rich as formerly I would gladly undertake the entire cost; notwithstanding that your malicious god so cruelly deceived me, after all my offerings at his shrine.  For when I sent to ask whether I should begin the war with Cyrus, he returned this answer:  I should destroy a mighty kingdom by crossing the river Halys.  I trusted the god, secured the friendship of Sparta according to his commands, crossed the boundary stream, and, in so doing, did indeed destroy a mighty kingdom; not however that of the Medes and Persians, but my own poor Lydia, which, as a satrapy of Cambyses, finds its loss of independence a hard and uncongenial yoke.”