Midas, The riche king of Phrygia, who for his friendlye entertaynement of the God Bacchus, being willed to wishe what he woulde, with promise presently to obtaine % same, desired that whatsoeuer he touched mighte foorthwith beecome gold. By which wishe graunted, he turned castels and towers into gold. But when he came to eate his meate, and saw that it also was made golde, being almoste famished, he besought Batchus againe to take from him the graunte that he had giuen him. Batchus therefore willed him to go washe himselfe in the riuer Pactolus: wherby the couetons king washed away his golden wishe, and the riuer ener after had small sheardes of golde appearing in it. Afterward when the rufticall God Pan chalenged to contende in Musicke with Apollo, and Tmolus the indge appointed of that controuersie had giuen sentence on Apollos side: All other that were present did allow his indgement as good & true only king Mydas reprooued it, and in his estimation preferred Pan with his screaking pypes. Wherewith Apollo being vecie wroth, in reproch of his grosse iudgement, made him to haue long eares like an Asse. But Midas kept them so secrete, that neuer man knew it, sauing only his BarberWho not able to conceale so vncouthe and strange a thing, and yet not so bolde to publishe it for feare of the kings displeasure, went into the fielde, and digging an hole in the ground, cryed out Aures afininas habet rex Midas, that is, true it is that king Midas hathe long eares like an Asse. In processe of time reedes did grow in that place: whiche, when they were blowne with the winde did yeelde % same voyce that Midas his barber had there vttered, and so (say poets) became it firil knowne, that Midas hadde an Asses eares. By this denise poets signifie that Midas as a tyrant had many harkeners and tale bearers, by whom hee vnderstoode all that was done or spoken of him in all parts of his dominion, as if he had had long eares to heare what euerie man had sayde.
Lewis and Short: Latin dictionary
Mĭdas or Mĭda, ae, m., = *mi/das, son of Gordius, and king of Phrygia. At his request he received from Bacchus, who wished to prove his gratitude for the hospitality Midas had accorded him, the boon that everything he touched should turn to gold. But as this extended also to food and drink, he implored the assistance of the god. The latter told him to bathe in the river Pactolus, the sands of which from that time became mixed with gold. Midas decided in favor of Pan a musical contest between him and Apollo; who in revenge provided Midas with ass's ears, Ov. M. 11, 85 sq. and 146; Hyg. Fab. 191; Cic. Tusc. 1, 48, 114; id. Div. 1, 36, 78; Mart. 6, 86, 4.—Midas is said to have discovered the use of lead and tin, Hyg. Fab. 274.