992. Dives et Lyra Eius. Graeculus olim lyram optimam coemerat, unde sonos suaves elicere didicerat. Ex nervis autem bubulis, quibus omnis lyrae suavitas bene canora vigebat, unus demum attritus rumpitur ac perit. Quod damnum ille ut reparet ad novam et inusitatam viam sibi recurrendum putat: sibi in sinu plaudens, nervum ruptum amovet et, amens, chordam reponit argenteam. At mox paenituit, namque plane contigit ut lyra priorem symphoniam amitteret.
M0992 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 12.33 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. Compare the myth of King Midas and his golden touch: by turning this lyre string to silver, the man ruined its sound, just as King Midas was unable to eat the food that his touch turned to gold.
