Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners/Part IV/XXI
Anaxagoras and Pericles.
265.Anaxagoras the philosopher was distinguished not only for his wealth and descent, but also on account of his wise mind. In order to give himself entirely up to his studies, he gave his wealth to his friends, and went to Athens. On arriving thither, Pericles used to come before him, a man of distinguished character and virtue, and also (lit. the same) most generous to the poor. It happened, however, that Pericles seemed to forget Anaxagoras, being greatly devoted to public affairs. The old man taking this very ill, covered his head with his garment, and determined to perish by hanger. Having heard this Pericles betook himself to Anaxagoras, and implored him to live, and preserve his wise mind, and that light which had afforded him so much advantage. And Anaxagoras said to him, ‘Pericles, those who are in need of a lamp, give (it) oil.’ And so from that time Pericles always paid attention to Anaxagoras with great care.
A good son.
266.Once upon a time a king when he wished to summon his servant, and after giving the signal several times, had perceived that no one came, went out to be informed why the servant did not come. And him, indeed, he discovered asleep, and when he was on the point of calling him, he saw a letter which had fallen from the fold of his dress, which he had lately read through. Now the king being desirous of knowing everything began to read the letter; however, on ascertaining that it, had been written by his mother, who thanked him for sending her money, and told him to be faithful to such a master, being moved by such goodness he replaced the letter in the fold together with much gold. After going out secretly and returning to his own apartments, he gave the signal and woke his servant. And when he stood terrified before him, the king suddenly asked him ‘why he had not come before,’ as if he was . But he replied that he had fallen asleep while reading a letter. Then putting his hand into his dress, he found not only the letter but also the gold. And when he began to gaze at this, struck with apprehension, the king told him to be of good courage, (saying) that good luck often happened to sleepers: let him therefore take the money away, and give it to his mother, and say that the king praised her greatly for having borne such a son.
Sayings of Socrates.
267.Socrates, the most celebrated of all philosophers, used to say that nothing should be asked of the gods, who were sure to give to man what they thought right (lit. what seemed good). To a certain man who asked him if he should marry a wife or not, he replied: ‘You will repent of either deed.’ Having been condemned to death by the Athenians, he received the poisoned cup with calm mind and unmoved countenance. When the cup was already in his hands and his grieving wife kept saying, ‘that he died free of all crime;’ ‘ What!’ said he, ‘do you wish me to die as a criminal?’
Berenice’s hair.
268.When Ptolemaeus Euergetes was preparing an expedition to Syria, his wife Berenice, who loved him very much, fearing the danger which he was likely to meet, promised to offer her hair to the gods if he should return home in safety. Now the king came home safe, having completely conquered the enemy. Then, indeed, Berenice cut off her hair, and offered it to the gods. And when it could not be found through the neglect of the priest, the king, in anger, threatened them with death. So a certain Conon, to appease the king’s wrath, proclaimed that the hair had been carried away to heaven by the gods, and had been made a constellation.
True wisdom.
The cruelty of Cambyses.
270.Cambyses, king of the Persians, used to drink unmixed wine beyond measure. Praexaspes, one of his friends, once advised him to cease drinking, asserting that it was disgraceful for a king to be drunk. Cambyses replied, ‘I will certainly at once show you that my hand can do its duty after drinking.’ Then, after drinking much wine, he ordered the son of Praexaspes to be placed before him. Then he pierced the breast of the youth with a dart from a distance, and asked the father if his hand could do its duty.
Alexander and Hephaestion.
271.Alexander, king of the Macedonians, who was called the Great, after thoroughly conquering Darius, king of the Persians, near Issus, sent ambassadors to inform the mother and wife of Darius that he intended to visit them in a short time. Soon he came to their abode with his friend Hephaestion, who excelled the king in beauty. Therefore the ladies, thinking Hephaestion was the king, threw themselves at his feet after the manner of the Persians. Afterwards, being informed of her mistake, the mother of Darius asked for pardon. And the king, addressing her kindly, remarked, ‘Do not ask pardon, for he also is Alexander.’
Scythian ambassadors.
272.Alexander, king of the Macedonians, made an expedition against the Scythians. The ambassadors of the Scythians, when they had come before the king, are said to have addressed him thus: ‘If the gods had given you greatness of body equal to (that of) your mind, the whole world would not contain you; for with one hand you would grasp at the rising sun, with the other (the same) when setting; and, not content with this, you would desire to know where the sun hid its light. From Europe you make for Asia, from Asia you hasten to Europe. Already, after conquering the whole race of mankind, you wish to wage war with woods, rivers, snows, (and) beasts. What! Are you ignorant that great trees sometimes perish within the space of one hour? He is foolish who desires to get possession of their fruit, before he has measured their height. Beware, lest, while trying to climb to the top of the tree, you fall from the branches. Birds sometimes devour a lion. There is nothing so strong but that it can be broken. What have you to do with us have never entered into your territories; we wish neither to obey nor rule any one: we do not wish to take anything from you. But you, who say that you come to punish robbers, are yourself the worst robber of all. What need have you of riches? The more you have, the more you desire. If you are a god you ought to give gifts to men, not rob them; but, if you are a man, do not forget this. We are your neighbouts; therefore you should use us as friends. Do you wish to have friends or enemies? for never shall Scythians be reduced to slavery.’
Alexander and Clitus.
273.Clitus was one of Alexander’s friends; the same had long been most friendly to Philip his father. Formerly, when Alexander was fighting with bare head against an enemy, Clitus protected Alexander with his shield, and cut off the enemy’s head. Moreover, Hellenice, his sister, had been Alexander’s nurse; the king was very fond of her. So Alexander used always to pay respect to Clitius, and had put him over a great province. When he was going to set out thither, the king received him at a splendid banquet. When they were sitting down to the feast, Alexander began to speak of the deeds done by himself, making no mention of the bravery of Philip. He even assailed him with reproaches, saying, that he had been robbed by his father of the glory of his victories. Then Clitus began to praise Philip as one who had been more distinguished than his son. So Alexander, being greatly enraged, pierced his breast with his sword. But, on remembering that Clitus was the brother of his nurse, he repented of what he had done, and was near killing himself.
The advice of Alcibiades.
274.While a youth Alcibiades visited Pericles. He found him sitting alone, with a gloomy countenance. The youth inquires the reason. Then Pericles said, ‘I have completed the vestibule of the temple of Minerva according to the command of the citizens; but I know not how to give an account of the money.’ To whom Alcibiades: ‘Rather contrive thisnot to be compelled to give an account.’ Pericles obeyed the advice of the youth, for he so contrived matters that the citizens were not able to demand an account, having commenced war with their neighhours.
Conjugal love.
275.Marcia, the daughter of Cato, while mourning for her dead husband, replied to a man who asked her what day was likely to be the last day of her grief, that the last day of her life would be the last of her grief. A certain Valeria, being asked why she would not marry any one, her husband being dead, said, ‘For me, indeed, my Servius is ever living.’ The wife also of Phocion spoke as follows to a lady who kept showing off her riches: ‘My most distinguished honour is Phocion; a poor man indeed, but he has been ruling the Athenians for twenty years.’
The sorrows of mankind.
276.Solon, having seen one of his friends mournful, took him with him to the citadel, and asked him to look at the buildings of the city. When he had done so Solon remarked, ‘Reflect how many sorrows there are under these roofs; how many there have been; and lastly, how many there are likely to be. Consider these evils no longer your own, for they happen to all.’ The same man used to say, if all the losses of mankind were brought together into one place the result would be that each one would sooner bear his own than those of other people.
The death of Epaminondas.
277.Epaminondas was the most distinguished man, not only among the Thebans, but even among all the Greeks of that time. For nothing good happened to the Thebans before they employed him as general; but when Epaminondas was dead they were only remarkable for their losses. I shall relate how bravely and how willingly he laid down his life for his country. When he was going with line of battle drawn up to storm a town, the enemy charged, and severely wounded him. Afterwards, when his friends had brought him back to camp, and he had perceived that he was not far from dying, he asked if his shield was safe. When his friends said that it was safe he ordered it to be brought to him. Then he asked if the enemy had been defeated. On hearing the answer that they had been entirely conquered, and had taken to flight, ‘It is enough now,’ said he, ‘for I die unconquered.’ Then he ordered the weapon to be drawn from the wound, and when this, was done, he at once died.
True riches.
278.Demetrius Poliorcetes had stormed the city of Megara. The philosopher Stilpo replied as follows to him, on him asking if he had lost anything: ‘I have lost nothing; all my property remains to me.’ Now he had said this after his money had been taken away, and his sons and fellow-citizens reduced to slavery. Yet he affirmed that he had lost nothing, for the true riches, that is to say courage and wisdom, which the enemy could not take away, still remained to him. ‘What the soldiers have taken from me,’ remarked he, ‘I shall never consider (really) mine.’
Sophanes the Athenian.
279.Formerly there was an Athenian (named) Sophanes, who won the highest praise for valour among the Greeks. Some say of this man that he carried an iron anchor attached to the belt of his cuirass; that he was wont to stick this anchor into the ground as often as he approached the enemy, lest the enemy might charge and drive him from his post; but when the enemy were put to flight, that he was wont to take up the anchor, and thus again assail the enemy. These stories are told of this man. Now some think that there was an anchor on his shield, as a crest, not that he carried an iron anchor.
A stern father.
280.A certain Rhacoces had seven sons, of whom the youngest, who was called Cartomes, used to annoy his brothers from day to day. And after his father had frsquently admonished him in vain, the judges who, according to the commands of the king, were travelling through Asia, reached the region where Rhacoces was living. Hearing of the arrival of the judges, he placed his son in chains before the judges, and requested that he might be condemned to death. The judges, wondering at this, and being unwilling to pronounce the penalty, brought both before Artaxerxes. Then, indeed, Rhaeoees, being placed before the king, made the same request. And the king (said) to him: ‘Will you be able to see your son die?’ Rhacoces in reply (said): ‘When I cut off the bitter shoots of my trees, the trees suffer nothing; so, being freed of my son, I shall enjoy rest myself.’ And Artaxerxes, greatly wondering at this reply, ordered Rhacoces to be one of his judges, and said that one who was willing to punish his own son would be a good judge concerning other thing. Then, after admonishing the son, he dismissed him.