• The story of Caesar’s waking the fisherman Amyclas to take him across the Adriatic is told by Lucan, Pharsalia , V :⁠— “There through the gloom his searching eyes explored, Where to the mouldering rock a bark was moored. The mighty master of this little boat Securely slept within a neighboring cot: No massy beams support his humble hall, But reeds and marshy rushes wove the wall; Old, shattered planking for a roof was spread, And covered in from rain the needy shed. Thrice on the feeble door the warrior struck, Beneath the blow the trembling dwelling shook. ‘What wretch forlorn,’ the poor Amyclas cries, ‘Driven by the raging seas, and stormy skies, To my poor lowly roof for shelter flies?’ “O happy poverty! thou greatest good, Bestowed by Heaven, but seldom understood! Here nor the cruel spoiler seeks his prey, Nor ruthless armies take their dreadful way: Security thy narrow limits keeps, Safe are thy cottages, and sound thy sleeps. Behold! ye dangerous dwellings of the great, Where gods and godlike princes choose their seat; See in what peace the poor Amyclas lies, Nor starts, though Caesar’s call commands to rise.” Dante also writes, Convito , IV 13:⁠— “And therefore the wise man says, that the traveller empty-handed on his way would sing in the very presence of robbers.