Fragment 122, 123 (Voigt 156)
122, 123 · Voigt 156Far sweeter of tone than harp, more golden than gold.
Πόλυ πάκτιδος ἀδυμελεστέρα, χρύσω χρυσοτέρα.
Quoted by Demetrius as an example of hyperbolic phrase. A commentator on Hermogenes the rhetorician says: ‘These things basely flatter the ear, like the erotic phrases which Anacreon and Sappho use, γάλακτος λευκοτέρα whiter than milk, ὕδατος ἁπαλωτέρα fresher than water, πηκτίδων ἐμμελεστέρα more musical than the harp, ἵππου γαυροτέρα more skittish than a horse, ῥόδων ἁβροτέρα more delicate than the rose, ἱματίου ἑανοῦ μαλακωτέρα softer than a fine robe, χρυσοῦ τιμιωτέρα more precious than gold.’