Heliodorus, Ethiopica

ToposText · Heliodorus · 269 sections

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§ 8.19 Meanwhile Bagoas and the fifty horsemen who were sent with him came to Memphis late in the night, when all were asleep, and waking the guard at the gate, and telling them who they were, and being recognised went quietly in haste to the governor's palace. There Bagoas left his horsemen, inclosing the house with them round about, that they might be ready to help if any man withstood him. He himself went by a certain postern, of which the most knew no, and having with small ado broken down a slender door and told him that abode there who he was, and commanded him to make no noise, he hastened to Euphrates, knowing the way easily by continual use before, while the moon also shone a little. He found him in bed, and wakened him, and as he made a nose and asked who was there, he bade him peace, saying:'It is I: bid one bring a lamp hither.' Then he called a boy who waited upon him, and bade him bring a lamp and awake no one else. When the boy had set the lamp in the stand and gone again, Euphrates said:'What news does this sudden and unexpected coming signify?''I need not use many words,' answered Bagoas.'Read these letters, and mark this seal, and be sure that it is Oroondates who gives this charge; and do his commandment, taking night and quickness as your allies to escape all notice. Whether it is profitable to declare his orders to Arsace you must for yourself consider.' As soon as Euphrates had read both the letters, he said:' Arsace will in any case be ill content; but for the moment she is in great peril, since she lies now in a fever which I think the gods sent upon her yesterday. She is in a burning heat, so that we have small hope of her life. I would not deliver this letter to her, even if she were hale and well, for she would rather die herself, and kill us all too, than deliver up these young folks. Know that you have come in due time, and take them with you, and help them all you may. Have pity upon them, for they deserve pity in their troubles, and have been afflicted a thousand ways, sore against my will; but Arsace gave command. Marry they are of good stock, and as I have found by experience very modest in all points.'
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§ 8.20 So he led him to the prison. Bagoas when he saw the young prisoners, though they were pined away with torments, wondered at their tall stature and excellent beauty. They were somewhat dismayed, thinking that this was what they expected, and that Bagoas had come at dead of night to give them their last and deadly judgment. But they soon took heart, and looked cheerfully as though they cared for nothing, and gave those who were there manifest tokens that they were glad. When Euphrates came near and set his hands to take away the stocks whereunto their chains were tied, Theagenes cried out:'O goodly Arsace, she thinketh to hide her mischievous deeds of wickedness in the darkness of night. But the eye of justice is quick to reprove and brings to light all wicked acts, be they never so closely and privily done. Do you as you are commanded, and whether it be fire, water or sword that be appointed for us, let us both together and at one time have the same manner of death.' Chariclea made the like petition also. Whereat the eunuchs wept — for they partly understood what they said — and brought them forth chains and all.
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§ 8.21 When they were out of the governor's house Euphrates tarried behind and Bagoas, with the horsemen that came with him, took off most of the irons, leaving no more but so many as might keep them safely and not annoy them. Then, setting them on horses and putting them in their midst, they went as fast as they could to Thebes. They rode all the night and until the third hour of the next day without alighting, and then not able to abide the heat of the sun — for it was the summer season in Egypt — and exhausted by lack of sleep, but most of all because they saw Chariclea to be weary of riding, they determined to halt a while to ease themselves, and bait their horses, and let the maid rest. There was a little hill upon the bank of the Nile, about the which the water went, not keeping his straight course but turning in a manner half round, so that it made the place like a little island. That which was thus compassed by the water was full of rich grass, by reason that it was so near the river, very good for cattle and horses to feed in; it was shadowed moreover by trees of Persia and great fig trees and such others as do commonly grow about the Nile. There Bagoas with his company alighted, using the trees instead of a tent, and did eat meat himself and offered Theagenes and Chariclea some too. At first they would not, saying that it was useless for them to eat who should soon be slain, but he compelled them in a manner, and persuaded them that no such thing was meant, but that they were being taken to Oroondates, and not to be killed.
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§ 8.22 When the heat of the day was past and the sun shone on their side out of the west and Bagoas was making ready to ride again, there came one on horseback, who for the haste that he had made panted himself and his horse had sweat so much that he could scarcely sit upon him. He said somewhat to Bagoas privily, and then stood still. Bagoas for a little while held down his head, seeming to muse at that which was told him, and afterwards said:'Strangers, be of good cheer: you are revenged of your enemy: Arsace is dead. When she heard that you were gone, she hanged herself, by her own will preventing the death that must necessarily have ensued for her. For she could not have escaped from Oroondates and the king without punishment, but either she would have been put to death or else continually shamed for all the rest of her life. Such word doth Euphrates send by this messenger. Wherefore be merry; for I know well that you have hurt no body, and she that hurt you is dead.' Thus said Bagoas to them, not speaking Greek very well and letting many false phrases escape him; but still he told them, partly because he was glad himself, in that he was scarce content with Arsace's frowardness, who while she lived played the tyrant, partly because he wished to cheer and comfort the young folks. For he hoped — and indeed it was so — that he would be held by Oroondates in high esteem, if he brought safely to him the young man, whose comeliness would overshadow all the other courtiers, and the maid of such singular beauty to be his wife after Arsace's death. Theagenes too and Chariclea rejoiced at the news and thanked the great gods and justice therefore. For they thought they would fear nothing, though they had never so ill luck seeing that their mortal enemy was dead. So great a pleasure is it even to die, so long as your enemies also are destroyed.
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§ 8.23 When it drew toward evening and the heat began to abate, so that it was better to travel in, they set forward and rode all that evening and the night and the next morning, making haste to find Oroondates at Thebes if they might. But they lost their labour. One of the army met them and told them that the governor was no longer at Thebes, and that he himself was sent to get together all soldiers in arms, even those that had been left in garrison, and bring them with speed to Syene. All was in trouble and in hurly-burly, and it was to be feared that the city had already been taken, for the governor was late in moving, and the Ethiopian army used such celerity that it was there before any news came that it was coming.
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§ 8.24 At this Bagoas left his intended journey to Thebes and went to Syene. But when he was almost there he fell in with then Ethiopian scouts, a valiant crew of lusty soldiers, who were sent before to spy out the country that the main army might have safe passage. At that time because of the darkness and their ignorance of the country they had strayed too far away, and having hidden in the reeds by the river to protect themselves and to lay ambush for their enemies they stayed there all night and slept not. Early in the morning when they heard Bagoas and his horsemen ride by and saw that they were but a few, they suffered them to ride on, and when they knew certainly that none followed them, they broke out with a great noise and pursued them. Bagoas and the horsemen who were with him were startled by the sudden cry, as well for that by their colour they knew them to be Ethiopians, and being themselves not able to withstand their numbers — for there were a thousand of them sent to spy the country in light harness — they tarried not so much as to look them in their faces, but fled: yet not so fast at the first as they might, because they wished not their enemies to think they fled in fear. The others chased them, sending out about two hundred of the people called Troglodytes; who are a tribe of the Ethiopians who live by husbandry on the borders of Arabia. These Troglodytes are very swift of foot by nature and practise the same from their youth. They never wear heavy armour but use slings in battle and attack their enemies suddenly and so endamage them. If they perceive they be too weak, they flee; and their enemies never pursue them, for they know they are too swift and will hide themselves in every corner. These people then overtook the horsemen, though they themselves were on foot, and casting with their slings wounded some of them. But when they turned upon them, they would not abide, but fled back little by little to their fellows. Which when the Persians perceived, despising their numbers they chased them as fast as they might, and after driving them back themselves rode forward with as much speed as they could, spurring their horses and giving them the reins at will. By which means some escaped and fled to a turn of the Nile where they hid under the bank as a refuge that heir enemies might not see them. But Bagoas was taken prisoner, because his horse stumbled and he fell and hurt his leg so that he could not stir it. Theagenes also and Charicles were taken, who thought it shame to forsake Bagoas, whose good will they had tried already and hoped to find more at his hands afterward. They therefore tarried with him, partly because they could not flee, but being also themselves willing to surrender. Then Theagenes said to Chariclea:'Thus is our dream come to pass. These be the Ethiopians into whose land it is our destiny to come as prisoners. It is best to yield and commit ourselves to doubtful fortune with them rather than to certain danger with Oroondates.'
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§ 8.25 Chariclea understood that she was led by the hand of destiny and had better hope, supposing those who took them to be friends rather than enemies. Yet she told Theagenes nothing of what she thought, but said only that she was well content. When the Ethiopians came, they knew Bagoas to be an eunuch by his face, but they made inquiry who these should be whom they saw unarmed and in chains, although of excellent beauty and nobleness, calling up an Egyptian of their own company and another who could speak the Persian tongue, thinking that they would understand either both or one of the two. For scouts and foreriders are taught by necessity to have such with them as can speak the language of the inhabitants and their enemies, that they may the better understand that wherefore they are sent. Theagenes, who by continuance of time had learned the Egyptian tongue a little and could answer a short question, told them that Bagoas was the chief servant of the Persian governor and that they themselves were Greeks, taken prisoners first by the Persians, but now through better fortune by the Ethiopians. Thereat they decided to spare their lives, and take them prisoners, and as their first booty to make a present to their king of the chiefest jewel his Persian enemy had. For in the courts of Persia eunuchs are eyes and ears, and as they have no children nor kinsfolk to whom their minds might be bent, they depend only upon him who trusts them. As for the young folks, they thought they would be a goodly present, to wait upon their king and grace his court. So they set them upon horses and carried them away, because Bagoas being wounded and the others hindered by their chains could not else go fast enough. Surely this was like the prologue to a play. The strangers and prisoners, who just before were afraid of instant death, were now not so much carried off as escorted, with those for guards who soon were to be their subjects. In such case were they.
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§ 9.1 THE NINTH BOOK THE GREAT BATTLE By this time Syene was plainly besieged, inclosed as though with nets by the Ethiopian army. For Oroondates, when he heard that the Ethiopians were at hand and had left the Cataracts to march upon Syene, got into the town a little before them, and closed up the gates, and when he had planted his slings and other ordinance upon the wall, he waited to see what they would do. Hydaspes king of Ethiopia heard from his spies at a distance that the Persians were marching to Syene and pursued them in haste with hope of a battle. But he came too late, and therefore lodged his army round about the city without any skirmish, as though he were sitting at a play, and filled all their level country with countless myriads of men and arms and cattle. There his spies found him and presented their prisoners. He took great pleasure to look upon the young couple, and had good affection to them in his mind, as those that should be afterward his own children, although he knew it not then, but especially he counted it good luck that when they were caught they were already in chains.'Good,' he cried,'the gods at the beginning deliver our enemies to us in chains. These are our first prisoners and they shall be kept to the end of the war, to be sacrificed at our triumph to the gods, according to the ancient law of Ethiopia.' After rewarding the spies he sent them and the prisoners to the baggage train, setting guards to keep them who could speak their language and giving them command to look well to them, and let them fare of the best, and keep them from all manner of uncleanness, as things appointed for sacrifice should be kept, and also that their fetters should be changed for bands of gold. For where iron serveth in other countries, gold serveth in Ethiopia.
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§ 9.2 They did as they were commanded, and taking off their former chains put them in comfort that they should live more easily, and fitted for them fetters of gold. Theagenes laughed hereat and said:'Good lord, what means this trim change? Truly fortune flattereth us who exchange iron for gold and being enriched in prison become, because of our fetters, men of worth.' Chariclea smiled also, and wishing to turn him to other thoughts reminded him of the god's oracle, and so put him in better hope. Hydaspes then himself assaulted Syene, expecting with his great host that at the first approach he would overthrow the town, walls and all. But for the moment he was repulsed by the defenders who valiantly withstood their enemies' force and railed at them insolently to anger them the more. Very wroth that they were resolved to endure to the end and had not straight yielded themselves to him, he determined not to waste time with his army in slow delay, nor yet to try such attacks as would let some escape and some be taken, but by a great and invincible siege utterly in a short space to destroy the town. Wherefore he devised this work.
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§ 9.3 He divided the circle of the wall into parts and to every ten soldiers he gave ten yards, commanding them to make a ditch very deep and very broad. Some digged, others carried the grit away, others raised up a counter-wall against that which was besieged. No man because of their great army durst come out of the town to hinder the work and prevent it being made round the town, while their slings and other engines served to no purpose, since Hydaspes had arranged that the space between the two walls was so great that those who made the ditch were out of reach by their missiles. They soon finished the work by reason of the great number of the labourers, and then he began this other thing. He left between the two ends of the trench a space one hundred feet broad which he ditched to the Nile, bringing the same ever from the lower ground to that which was more high. A man might have likened the work to a long wall, because it kept always a hundred feet in breadth; and was as long as the space between Syene and the Nile. When he had brought this ditch to the banks of the Nile he let into it the water from the river, which in falling from a higher place into a lower and out of the wonderful breadth of the Nile into a narrow trench wrought by hand made a great noise, both at the entry thereto and also in the ditch, so that they might hear it who were a great way off. Which when those who were in Syene saw and understood unto what danger they were brought, because he meant by so encompassing them about to drown their town so that none might escape, being inclosed both by the wall and the water; knowing that there was no safety in waiting they made good shift, as far as time allowed, to help themselves. First they caulked the chinks in the gates with tow and pitch, and then they underpinned the walls to make them stronger. Some brought earth, some stones, some timber, and anything that each had to hand. No man rested, but women, children, and even old man laboured hard; for danger of death refuses the help neither of any age or of any kind. The sturdier youths and the men at arms were set to make a countermine that should reach to the enemies earth work, the manner whereof was thus. They digged a pit first about five yards right down close to the wall and there laid a sure foundation. Then they digged forward, straight to the enemy's wall, by torchlight, those behind carrying away the earth dug by those before, and heaping it in that part of the city where their gardens were. And this they did, that if the water came into that place which was without earth it might have a path to break out and run away. But the danger came too quickly upon them despite their efforts. The Nile rushed down the long trench, fell very fast into the round ditch, and then flowing everywhere over the banks drowned all the space between the two walls and made it like a marsh. And thus was Syene made an island, and a city which stands in mid country was compassed about with water and beaten upon by the waves of the Nile. The wall of the town withstood the force of the water for one day. But as the water increased and rose high, and sinking through the cracks, which the heat of summer had made in the rich black ground, began to work down and reach the foundations, then the masonry above began to shake and seemed as though it would fall. Wherever the loose ground slipped away the wall tottered and threatened to come down, while the battlements trembled and by their shaking disturbed those that kept guard nearby.
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§ 9.4 At last, as evening came on, a part of the wall between two towers fell down, not so that the fallen part was beneath the level of the water to let the flood come in, but yet only standing a few feet above and threatening an instant deluge. Wherefore there arose a pitiful cry from all manner of folk that were in the city for the enemy to hear, who lifted up their hands to heaven and called to the gods for help, which was all their hope that was left, and humbly besought Oroondates to send messengers to Hydaspes to ask for peace. He agreed thereto, being now made even against his will the servant of fortune; but how he should send to his enemies, thus surrounded by water, he knew not, until necessity taught him. For when he had written what he wanted and tied the letter to a stone, he cast the same with a sling instead of a messenger to his enemies, and by this means sent his humble prayers over the waves. But he lost his labour, since the strength of the sling could not overreach that space, but fell into the water. He cast again in the same fashion and again failed, as did all his archers and slingers, although they were zealous to surpass each the other and were shooting for their lives. At length they held up their hands to their enemies, who stood upon their mound and made a spectacle of their trouble, declaring by signs as well as they could what these throws meant. Sometimes they stretched out their hands with palms upturned, like suppliants; sometimes they put them behind their backs, in token that they were ready to receive chains and become their bondmen. Hydaspes perceived that they craved mercy and was himself ready to grant it; for an enemy who yields forces a good man to be generous. But as he had no ready way thereto at that moment, he determined to test them more certainly. He had certain boats ready belonging to the river folk, which he had arranged should come down his trench from the Nile, and had them hauled them up by the circular ditch. He chose ten of the newest of these, and furnishing them with archers and men-at-arms, he told them what to say and sent them to the Persians, equipped with their weapons and ready to fight if those in the town attempted anything that they looked not for. Truly this was a strange sight, that a ship should sail from wall to wall, and a mariner practise his skill in the midst of dry land, and a boat be rowed where the plough was wont to work. And although the art of war ever deviseth novelties, yet then invented it the strangest thing of all, when it made men in ships fight against them that stood upon walls, and joined two armies by sea and land together. The people on the walls, seeing boats full of armed men approaching the walls, seeing boats full of armed men approaching that part of the wall that was fallen down, being themselves full of terror and dismay because of their present danger, suspected those who came to bring them safety — for in extremity everything is a cause of suspicion and of fear — and so began to cast stones and shoot arrows against the men in the boats. In such fashion men deal when they are in despair, accounting everything a gain that delays death. Marry in their aiming they so directed their hands as not to wound them but only prevent them to land. The Ethiopians also shot, but more certainly, as they understood not the Persians' mind, and killed two or three of them at once, since being grievously wounded they fell off the walls headlong into the water. The fight would have become more fierce, while the one side spared and did but try to hinder, and the Ethiopians very angrily resisted, if a certain old gentleman of Syene had not come and spoken thus to them on the walls:'O mad men, infatuated by your fear, why do we now keep those off, whom we humbly prayed to help us before, when contrary to all expectations they have come? If they are friends and bring us peace, then they are our saviours: but if they mean to deal like enemies, they may easily be overcome when they have landed. And what shall we be the better when we have slain them, seeing that so black a cloud hangeth over our heads both by water and by land? Why do we not rather let them come in and see what they have so say?' Every man thought that he said well, and the governor also commended him. Wherefore moving this way and that from the fallen part of the wall they stood still and laid down their arms.
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§ 9.5 When the space between the towers was without defenders, the people gave them a signal with a banner that they might land, the Ethiopians drew near, and from the platform of their boats, as it were, addressed their besieged audience:'Ye, Persians and men of Syene that be here, Hydaspes king of the east and west Ethiopians, and at this time your king also, knoweth how to overcome his enemies and is also by nature inclined to grant mercy to such as humbly ask it, judging that victory is the work of his soldiers' valorous arms but that mercy is the sign of his own compassionate spirit. So, although he holds your lives in his hand, to grant or to take away, yet now, since you have humbled yourselves, he delivers you from the known and certain penalty of defeat and allows you to decide at your own pleasure what terms of peace you will. For he is not minded to play the tyrant in this case, but doth so govern man's estate as to be free from envy hereafter.' The people of Syene made answer that they committed themselves, their children, and their wives to him, to do with them as he thought good, and if they might live they would render up their city also, which now was in a desperate case and utterly ruined unless the gods and Hydaspes should prevent its fall. Oroondates for his part declared that he would give up all that for which the war began, and would let him have the city of Phylae and the emerald mines: but he made request that he would not deal hardly with him, nor require himself and his army to surrender. If Hydaspes would keep all the points of courtesy, let him allow him and his soldiers to depart quietly to Elephantina, doing no damage nor raising further strife. Else he had as lief die now as to live any longer and be condemned by the king for betraying his army. Perhaps indeed that would be worse: for now he would have but a simple and usual death; then he would haply have new torments devised for him.
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§ 9.6 When he had said thus he desired them to take on their boats two of his Persians, under pretence that they should go to Elephantina: and if those in that town would yield, he would do the like without further delay. With this answer the legates departed, taking the two Persians with them, and recounted to Hydaspes how they had sped. He smiled a little and blamed Oroondates much for his folly, that he, being a man not in his own power but another's, either to live or die, should argue about conditions.'Yet it were foolishly done,' said he,'to destroy so great a number because of one man's madness': and so he let those depart to Elephantina whom Oroondates sent, as though he cared not if they made what provision they could to withstand him. Of his own men he appointed some to make a dam where the Nile entered his trench, and others to cut openings in their earthworks, that so, if no more water came in and the swamp was gradually drained, the ground by Syene might get dry and hard enough to walk upon.
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§ 9.7 Those that were thus commanded began a little of the work at once, and would have proceeded the next day: but then they could do no more because evening came upon them. Moreover the people in the city also sought all means they could to help themselves, despairing not of the safety that was offered them unlooked for. Some made a mine underneath the ground near to the enemies ditch, guessing the distance, although they could not see, by means of a line wherewith they took the measure. Others stayed up the wall by torch light; which thing they might easily do, because of the stones left when the wall fell inwards. But even when they had done all they could and thought themselves in safety, they were not free from alarms. About midnight a part of the enemies' mound, just where the Ethiopians that evening had begun to dig through, gave way with a sudden crash. Either it was that the ground had been loosely heaped and was not thick enough, so that the foundation gave way when it was thoroughly wetted. Or else those who were digging the mine caused the lower earth to fall in and slip towards the empty space they made. Or else it was where the Ethiopians had began and after they had ceased for the night the water ran in and once it had broken its way through grew deeper and deeper. Or one may judge it to be the providence of God. Whatever the cause may be, the noise was so great and terrifying that both the Ethiopians and the Syenians thought that the greater part of the walls was fallen down. They who were in the tents kept themselves close, thinking that they were safe for the moment and would know in the morning what it was. But the citizens went round about their walls, and seeing that all was well there thought that their enemies had had some mishap, until the morning took away all this doubt, and the breach was espied and the water gone. For by this time the Ethiopians were damming up the water channel, lowering wooden flood gates which they secured from outside with heavy baulks of timber, and throwing in baskets of earth and bundles of twigs which thousands of men brought up together either in boats or along the bank of the mound. And thus the water went away at length, although for a long time neither of them could come to the other. For the earth was covered with thick mud, and under that which seemed on the top to be dry there was much wetness, which served as a trap both for men and horses when they came.
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§ 9.8 Thus they passed the time for two or three days, the people of Syene opening their gates in token of peace and the Ethiopians laying aside their arms. And so, although they could not come together, there was a truce and neither side kept watch and ward. The people in the city gave themselves to pastime and pleasure, for it happened that the Nile -feast, the greatest the Egyptians have, fell then, which is kept holy about Midsummer, at what time the flood increaseth and is honoured more than all others for this cause. The Egyptians feign the Nile to be a god, and the greatest of all gods, equal to heaven, because he watereth their country, without clouds or rain that cometh from the air, and thus doth he every year just as well as if it should rain. And this is the common folk's opinion. The cause why they give him so divine honour is because they think that the mixture of moist and dry is the special cause of the beginning and continuance of man's life — for the other elements depend on these and are wherever they be — and they deem that moisture proceedeth from the Nile and dryness from the earth. But this every man knoweth. Marry their divines say that the earth is Isis and the Nile Osiris, giving to either a new name. Therefore the goddess yearns for his company and rejoices when he is with her, but mourns when he is absent, hating Typhon as her enemy. The meaning of this tale their divines, men skilful in nature's secrets, do not reveal to the profane but in the form of a fable only instruct them. Those who are desirous to know their privities they instruct within the temples by the bright light of truth.
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§ 9.9 Let this suffice to be spoken at this time by the grace of God. As for the great secrets let them be honoured by silence, while we proceed orderly with what was done in Syene. When the Nile -feast was come the inhabitants fell to killing of beasts for sacrifice, and though their bodies were busied with their present perils, yet their minds, as much as they might, were godly disposed. But Oroondates, waiting his time when the Syenes were fast asleep after their feasting, conveyed his army privily out, having secretly given the Persians warning before at what hour and which gate they should go forth. Moreover orders were given to the officers to leave all the horses and cattle behind, that they might not hinder them on the way, or make a noise whereby they should be discovered, but every man was to take his armour and a board or plank under his arm. When they had come together at the gates, as he had ordered, he threw the planks that each man carried across the mud, laying them so that one touched the other, and thus conducted his army over with little pain and great speed, as if there had been a bridge, since those who came after handed their planks to those who went before. When he got to dry land, he went privily past the Ethiopians, who suspected nothing nor kept watch but slept soundly, and hastened to Elephantina as fast as his breath would give him leave. There he was at once let in; for the two Persians sent from Syene were waiting for his coming every night, as he had arranged, and when they heard the watchword, threw open the gates.
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§ 9.10 When it was day the people of Syene discovered their flight, suspecting it first when every man missed the Persian who was lodged in his house, and afterwards gathering together and seeing the bridge they had made before the town. Then was the city in great fear again and looked for grievous punishment for this second wrong, because after they had found such clemency at the Ethiopians' hands they had showed themselves so unfaithful as to let the Persians escape. Wherefore they determined every man to go out of the city, and yield themselves to the Ethiopians, and by oath to confirm their ignorance, if haply they might move them to pity. When all of every age were come together, and had taken boughs in their hands to declare their lowliness and humility, and with tapers and torches burning carried all their gods and holy images in token of peace, and were come over that bridge to the Ethiopians, they fell upon their knees and stayed afar off, and gave all at once a sorrowful and lamentable cry, craving in humble fashion the forgiveness of their offence. And to obtain it the more they laid their infants on the ground before them, and suffered them to go whither they would, so assuaging the Ethiopians with their age, which was without suspicion or blame. The children, frightened perhaps by their parents loud cries and knowing nothing of what was done, left those who had brought them forth and reared them and crawled towards the Ethiopians uttering lisping sounds which would have made any man take compassion upon them, as though fortune had suggested to them that they should go as suppliants.
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§ 9.11 When Hydaspes saw this, he thought that they craved mercy in more earnest fashion even than they did before, and therefore sent to know what they would have, and why they came out alone without the Persians. They told him all: the Persians' flight, their innocence, the high feast of the country, and how they privily slipped away while they were busy in the service of their god and were asleep after the banquet: although perchance being without armour they would not have been able to prevent their armed host even if they had known of their plan. When Hydaspes heard this he suspected, as was the truth, that Oroondates meant some treachery, and therefore sent for the priests alone, and doing obeisance to the holy images, which they had brought with them to ask for mercy, he questioned them as to whether they could tell him anything of the Persians' plans and whither they were gone and wherein was their greatest trust. They answered that they knew nothing certainly: marry they thought that they had gone to Elephantina, where the chief strength of their army lay, and that Oroondates chief hope was in his mailed cavalry.
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§ 9.12 When they had said this, they begged him to lay aside his anger against them and to come into their city as though it were his own. But Hydaspes would not come in then, but sent two troops of armed men to see if there was any suspicion of treachery, and if not to stay as a garrison to defend the city. This done he sent away the people of Syene with gentle promises, and himself went forward with his army, either to receive the Persians, if they set upon him, or if they tarried, to attack them. He had scarcely set his men in array when his scouts gave him warning that the Persians were coming drawn up for battle. For Oroondates had ordered his main army to assemble at Elephantina and had been compelled to hasten himself to Syene with but a few men when he saw that the Ethiopians, before he expected them, were so near. There being cut off by the enemies' wall, he asked himself for safety, and having obtained it by a promise to Hydaspes then showed himself the most faithless of men. He arranged for two Persians to cross over with the Ethiopians, under pretence that they should learn the mind of the Persians at Elephantina, whether they would choose to make terms with Hydaspes; but in truth they were to ask whether they were prepared to fight when he himself should be able to slip away. This fraudulent and guileful device he now put into action. For finding them ready he led them forth straightway, and wasted no time in attacking the enemy, putting all his hope in celerity, if he might take him off his guard.
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§ 9.13 By this time his army could be seen drawn up for battle, taking the eye with its Persian bravery and glistering in silver and gilt armour, as if all the place had been on fire. For the sun just rising shone upon the Persians and gave such a wonderful brightness to their panoplies that it rebounded upon those who were a great way off. On the right wing stood the native Persians and Medes, the men-at-arms in front and the archers who were lightly harnessed behind, that they might shoot the better being defended by them. On the left the Egyptians and Libyans were placed, and slingers and archers with them, and he bade them break out often and assail the side of their enemies' battle. He himself took the centre, sitting in a brave scythed chariot and for safety surrounded by troops of spearmen on either hand, while in front of him were posted the mailed horsemen, upon trust of whom he ventured to join issue with his enemies. For these men are the most valiant of all the Persian fighters and are set before the others as it were an invincible wall.
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§ 9.14 The manner of their armament is thus. A picked fellow of great strength putteth upon him a close helmet made in one piece fitting as tightly as a mask. This covereth his head down to his shoulders, saving that there be holes left for him to look out of. In his right hand is a great staff, bigger than a spear; with his left hand he holds the horse's reins; by his side hangeth a sword; and all his body is covered with a coat of mail. The mail is made thus. With pieces of brass and iron, as big as the palm of a man's hand, they make a coat, as it were, of scales, laying the end and sides of each piece upon another — so that the nether part of one goeth over the top of the other — and then they sew them together, and this coat lieth upon every part of the body without any ado. It covers every limb, and gives this way and that easily at each movement; for it hath sleeves and reacheth from the neck down to the knees, saving that necessity compels it to be cut between the thighs, that the man may sit upon his horse. Such is their coat of mail, which beateth off all darts and keepeth off all manner of blows. Over their legs to their knees they pull on a boot which is tied to their jacket. They arm their horses also in the same fashion. About his legs they tie greaves and cover his head with a frontal of iron, while from his back down beneath his belly there hangeth a cloth with metal rings which doth both protect him and by reason of its looseness hindereth not his course at all. Being thus appointed and in a manner forced into his armour the man sitteth upon his horse: marry he leapeth not up himself, but others help him, so encumbered is he with the weight of his arms. When the time of battle comes, he gives his horse the reins and spurs him with his heels and rides upon his enemies at full speed like a man made of iron or a statue fashioned with hammers. His great staff at its pointed end is tied with a cord to the horse's neck and the hinder end is made fast to its buttocks, so that in the conflict it does not yield but helps the horseman's hand, who does but guide the same aright. Thus it gives the greater blow and runs through every man it hits, and often carries away two men together pierced by one stroke.
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§ 9.15 With such a band of horsemen and the Persian army thus appointed the governor set out against his enemies, keeping the river ever behind him; for as he was far inferior in numbers to the Ethiopians he planned that the water should be instead of a wall that he might not be surrounded. Hydaspes likewise brought on his army and placed the soldiers of Meroe, who were skilled to fight hand in hand with heavy swords, against the Persians and the Medes on the right wing. The Troglodytes and those who come from the country where the cinnamon grows, light harnessed soldiers and cunning archers and very swift of foot, he set against those who were on the enemy's left wing. But against their centre, which he heard was the strongest, he set himself and his elephants with towers on their backs, together with the men-at-arms of the Blemmyes and the Seres, whom he instructed what they should do when they came to fight. When the signal was given for battle, among the Persians by trumpet, with the Ethiopians by drum and timbrel, Oroondates with a shout led on his men to the charge. Hydaspes for his part advanced as slowly as possible step by step, by this means providing that the elephants should not be far from their supports and that the enemies' cavalry in the centre should be weary before they came to blows. When they were within shot, and the Blemmyes saw that the mailed cavalry were calling on their horses for a charge, they did as Hydaspes had commanded. Leaving the Seres to protect the elephants they ran out from the line against the horsemen, so that those who saw them might have thought that they were mad, who being so few durst encounter so many and so well armed. Thereupon the Persians spurred their horses to go faster than before, thinking that the enemy's boldness was their gain, and that they would at the first dash overcome them without ado.
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§ 9.16 But the Blemmyes when they were almost come to hand strokes and in a manner stuck by their spears, suddenly all together fell down and crept under the horses kneeling with one knee upon the ground and sheltering their heads and shoulders beneath, without any harms save that they were trodden a little by their feet. And then they themselves did a strange and unexpected thing. As the horses passed over them they thrust with their swords and wounded them in the belly, so that many of their riders fell, by reason that the horses could not be governed because of their pain and so threw them. Whom, as they lay in heaps, the Blemmyes stabbed under the thighs; for the Persian horseman is not able to move unless he has some one to aid him. Those who escaped with their horses whole then charged against the Seres. But they, as soon as they came near, stepped behind the elephants, as though behind some great tower or hill of refuge. Then there was a great carnage and the horsemen were almost all slain. For their horses, being afraid of the greatness and strange sight of the elephants, thus suddenly revealed, either turned back or ran aside, and caused the main battle to break its array. They who were upon the elephants — six men upon each, two fighting from every side save the behind — shot steadily at the mark from their tower as from a castle, so that the number of their arrows was to the Persians like a cloud. The Ethiopians aimed especially at their enemies eyes, as though they were shooting not for life but to see who were the better archers, and hit their mark so exactly that those who were stricken ran here and there in panic with arrows, as if they had been pipes, piercing their eyes. If any of them against their wills rode out from their ranks, because their houses could not be checked, they fell among the elephants; where they died, being either overthrown and trodden under foot by them or else killed by the Blemmyes and Seres who ran out from behind the elephants as from an ambush, and wounded some with arrows and slew others at close quarters when their horses had cast them to the ground. To be short, those who escaped did nothing worthy of recounting nor hurt the elephants a whit, since the beast is covered with iron when he comes to battle, and if he were not, he hath of nature scales so hard over his body that no spear can enter thereinto.
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§ 9.17 At last, when all who remained alive were put to flight, the governor with shame enough forsook his chariot and mounting a horse from Nysa fled the battle. The Egyptians and the Libyans who were on the left wing knew nothing thereof, but fought on manfully, though they received many more wounds than they gave; marry they held out valiantly. For the soldiers of the cinnamon country being set against them pressed them hard and drove them to such shifts that they knew not what to do. If they set upon them, these would flee and running ahead would turn their bows behind them and shoot as they fled. But if they retired, then would they pursue them closely and either with slings or little arrows poisoned with dragon's blood send upon them a swift and grievous death. For in their archery they are more like men at play than at serious work. They wear a round wreath upon their head in which the arrows are set, the feathers turned inwards and the points hanging out like the beams of the sun. In skirmish they take out the arrows therefrom as readily as from a quiver, and leaping and dancing in and out like naked satyrs, they shoot at their enemies. They have no iron heads upon their shafts, but take a bone out of the dragon's back, whereof they make their arrows an ell long. This done, they sharpen it as well as they can and make a self-barb arrow, so called perhaps from the bare bone.
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§ 9.18 For some time the Egyptians maintained the battle and received the arrow upon their shields, being stubborn by nature and men who boast — not so much profitably as proudly — that they care not for death: and perhaps also they feared punishment if they left their ranks. But when they heard that the horsemen, their chief strength and hope in battle, were put to flight, and the governor gone, and that the much praised soldiers of the Medes and Persians had done no noble feat, but after hurting the men of Meroe a little and being themselves hurt much more had followed after the rest, they also began to leave fighting and turned in rout. Hydaspes seeing this notable victory from his tower, as from a high hill, sent heralds to them that followed the chase not to kill anyone but to take as many as they could alive, and above all other Oroondates. Which indeed was done. The Ethiopians drawing their main battles to the left, and extending their deep formation lengthwise, turned their wings round about and so inclosed the Persian army, leaving them no place to flee but across the river: into the which many fell and were in great danger among the horses and scythed chariots and the turmoil of the multitude. Then they perceived that the policy which the governor had used in the conduct of his army was very foolish and to no purpose; because at the first, when he had feared lest his enemies should surround him and led his army so that the Nile was ever at their backs, he marked not that he left for himself no place whereby he might flee. There was he himself taken prisoner, just when Achaemenes the son of Cybele, who had by this time heard the news from Memphis, when about in the tumult to kill him — for he repented now that he had told anything about Arsace since all his proofs had perished. But Achaemenes, although he stabbed him, dealt not a fatal wound, and himself straightway paid the penalty, being stricken through with an arrow by an Ethiopian, who knew the governor and desired to save him, as command had been given, and was offended that any man in flight from his enemies should shamefully set upon his own fellows and take the opportunity that fortune offered as a time to be revenged upon his private adversary.
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§ 9.19 Oroondates then was brought in by him who had taken him prisoner. Hydaspes saw that he was ready to swoon and bleeding sore from his wound, and caused the same to be stayed with incantations by those men who are skilled in that art. Wishing therefore, if he might, to save him and to comfort him with words, he said:'I grant you your life, friend, with all my heart. It is my glory to surpass my enemies, as long as they withstand me, in valour; but when they are overcome, in generosity. But why were you so false?''I was false to you,' said Oroondates,'but true to my own king.' Then said Hydaspes:'What punishment think you that you have deserved, seeing that you are overcome?''Such as my king ought to take,' quoth he,'from any of your captains that had kept his allegiance to you.''Truly,' said Hydaspes,'he would commend him and send him away highly rewarded, if he be a true king and not a tyrant, and is desirous that his own men seeing the praise given to others may themselves seek to emulate them. But, good sir, although you say you be faithful, will you not confess that you played the fool in venturing so rashly to oppose so many myriads?''Perhaps I was not foolish,' answered the other.'I considered my prince's nature, who doth more punish the cowardly soldier than reward the valiant man. I determined therefore to brave the danger, and either win a great and unexpected victory — for in war opportunity is a great magician — or else if I escaped with my life to leave myself a good excuse, in that I had omitted nothing of what I ought to have done.'
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§ 9.20 When Hydaspes heard him say this, he praised him greatly, and sent him to Syene, and gave his surgeons charge to look well to him. He himself also with picked men of his army entered the town, and all the citizens of every rank and age came to meet him and cast upon him and his soldiers garlands and such flowers as grow about the Nile, and commended him greatly for his notable victory. As soon as he came within the walls, riding upon an elephant instead of a chariot, he busied his mind about the service of the gods and sacred things, and asked of the origin of the Nile feast, and if they could show him anything worthy to be looked at. They showed him the deep well which gives the measure of the Nile's flow, like unto that at Memphis, made of smooth stones evenly laid, wherein were lines drawn an ell one from the other; into the which the water of the Nile, brought under the earth by a spring and falling into these lines, declareth to the inhabitants the ebb and flood of the river, by the number of the figures which, bare or covered, do plainly tell the rising and falling of its waters. They showed him also the pointers of their sundials which gave no shadow at midday because the sun about midsummer at Syene is exactly over head and for the same reason shineth upon the water at the bottom of their wells. But Hydaspes marvelled not at this as a strange thing to him, for he saw the like at Meroe. Then they talked of their feast and praised the Nile wonderfully, calling him the sun and author of fruitfulness, the saviour of Upper Egypt and the father and maker of Lower Egypt, bringing down new soil every year, wherefrom the Greeks call him Neilos: he telleth the course of the year by flowing in summer and ebbing in autumn, while he shows the spring by the flowers he brings forth and by the brood of crocodiles. They said indeed that the Nile was himself the year, approving this opinion by his name: for, if the letters thereof are taken as numbers, put together they make three hundred and sixty-five, and so many days are there in the year. But when they added to all this the properties of the plants and flowers and beasts that he breeds Hydaspes said:'These fine tales do not belong only to Egypt but to Ethiopia also. And seeing that it is Ethiopia who sends you this river which you deem a god and all the river creatures, you have good cause to honour her as being the mother of your gods.''We do honour her,' said the priests,'both for other reasons and because she has sent us in you a saviour and a god.'
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§ 9.21 Hydaspes told them that such praise were best left unsaid, and then going to his tent spend the rest of the day in banqueting with the chief lords of Ethiopia and the priests of Syene, giving leave to his army to do the same. There were great herds of cattle, flocks of sheep, many goats and swine, and abundance of wine, whereof the Syenians gave some to the army and some they sold. The next day Hydaspes sat on his royal throne and divided among his soldiers the cattle, horses, and all the other booty taken in the city or in the battle, giving to every man according as he had deserved. When the man who had taken Oroondates came forward, Hydaspes said:'Ask what thou wilt.' He answered:'I need ask nothing, O king, but will be content, if it pleaseth you, with what I have, which I took from Oroondates, saving his life at your command.' And therewith he showed him the governor's dagger, set with precious stones of great value and wonderful much worth, so that some of those that stood by cried out that it was too much for a private man and a jewel more fit for the king. Thereat Hydaspes smiled and said:'What can be more fit for a king than that I should be of such greatness of mind as not to be moved by this man's covetousness but rather to despise it? Besides, the law of battle giveth the victor leave to take whatsoever he findeth on his prisoner's body. Wherefore we give him permission to keep that which he might have concealed, and we never the wiser.'
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§ 9.22 After him came those who had taken Theagenes and Chariclea, and said:'O king, our booty is not gold nor precious stones, which are of little worth in Ethiopia and cast about by heaps in the king's palace. We bring you a young man and a maid, brother and sister, born in Greece, who, except your grace, are the tallest and fairest creatures in the world. Wherefore we crave that we also may be partakers of your large liberality and bounty.''Well remembered,' said Hydaspes.'When you brought them to me before it was in a turmoil and I only looked upon them carelessly. Wherefore let some man bring them hither straightway, and the other prisoners also.' They were brought out of hand, for one ran immediately to the baggage train without the walls and told their keepers that they should bring them to the king forthwith. They asked one of their guards, whose father was a Greek, whither they should be taken. He answered that king Hydaspes would see them. As soon as they heard the name Hydaspes, they cried out:'The gods be our comfort'; because till then they had been afraid lest another was king. Then said Theagenes to Chariclea:'Now, my heart, you shall tell the king of our affairs, seeing Hydaspes reigneth, whom you have told me oft was your father.' Chariclea answered:'My dear, great business must be done with great circumspection. For it is necessary that the ends of those things should be done with many circumstances, whose beginnings the gods have made troublesome. Nor is it meet to reveal in a moment that which hath been long a working, especially when the head and principal point, whereon the business of our recognition dependeth, I mean my mother Persina, is now away, although by the favour of the gods we hear that she also is alive.''But if we be sacrificed,' said Theagenes,'or given away as captives, will not our opportunity to come to Ethiopia be cut away from us?''You need not fear that,' said Chariclea,'for we have heard divers times ere now that we are kept to be sacrificed to the gods at Meroe. Wherefore you need not think that we shall either be given away or killed before we come there, seeing we are consecrated to the gods, which thing godly men will not undo. But if we yield too quickly to our joy and without consideration tell our story, when there is no one here to know and bear witness thereto, it is to be feared that we shall incense him that heareth us and make him deservedly angry. Perhaps also he will make a mock and jest of it, that we, being prisoners and appointed to slavery, shall be so bold as to say that we are the king's children, having no probable arguments to prove the same.''But the tokens,' said Theagenes,'which I know you received and keep upon you, will make for us, and declare that we use no fraud nor falsehood.''Tokens,' said Chariclea,'are tokens to those who know them and gave me them; but to those who know them not and cannot understand the whole matter they are but a vain treasure: and perhaps would make them lay theft and robbery to our charge. And even though Hydaspes should recognise some of them, who is there to convince him that Persina gave them to me as a mother to her daughter. The surest token, Theagenes, is a mother's nature, whereby it cometh to pass that that which doth engender is by some secret of nature affected with pity and love toward that which is engendered. Shall we then neglect this, which will make all the rest seem true?'
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§ 9.23 As they thus talked of these things, they were almost come into the king's presence; and Bagoas also was brought in with them. As soon as the king saw them stand before him, he lifted himself up a little from his throne, and saying:'The gods be merciful to me' said down again in a study. When his noblemen asked him what he ailed, he made answer:'I thought this last night that I had a daughter who suddenly was grown to such a stature as this woman has, and though I took no regard to my dream before, yet now by the beauty of this maid who is like her I remember it again.' Those who were about him said that it was a fantasy of the mind, which oftentimes foreshadowed things to come; but for the moment he made no more account of it and asked the young folks who they were and whence they came. Chariclea held her peace and Theagenes said that they were brother and sister, born in Greece.'O noble Greece,' cried the king,'who at all times dost bring forth good and honest creatures, and now hast provided us with these auspicious victims to be sacrificed in honour of our victory. But why had I not a son also in my dreams?' he said smilingly to them that were by.'This young man, the maid's brother, who was to come before me should also have been shadowed forth to me in my sleep, according to your account.' Then turning to Chariclea and speaking Greek — for that tongue is held in honour among the Gymnosophists and princes of Ethiopia — he said:'Thou maid, why dost thou hold thy peace and not answer my question?' Chariclea answered:'At the altars of the gods, to whom we understand that we are kept to be sacrificed, you shall know of me and my parents.''In what country are they?' asked Hydaspes again.'They are here,' quoth she,'and will surely be present when we are offered as sacrifice.' Thereat Hydaspes smiled and said:'This daughter born to me in my sleep dreams that her parents shall be conveyed out of Greece into the midst of Meroe. Let these then be carried away and kept as well as they have been hitherto, to set forth and adorn our sacrifice. But who is he that standeth by them, so like an eunuch?' One of those who were there answered that he was an eunuch indeed, whose name was Bagoas.'Let him go then with these others,' said the king,'not as a sacrifice himself, but to watch and guard this maid, that she may be kept chaste until the time come that she be offered. For eunuchs naturally are very jealous: wherefore they are set to hinder others from those things that they themselves are not able to do.'
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§ 9.24 When he had said this, he reviewed the other prisoners in order: whereof some, such as seemed born to be slaves, he gave away, but such as were of noble parentage he let go freely. But he picked out ten young men and ten maidens, of those that were most excellent in youth and comeliness, and bade that they should be taken with Theagenes and Chariclea for the same purpose. Then when he had answered every man's requests, he sent for Oroondates, who was brought before him in a litter, and said:'Since I have now obtained that for which we made this war, namely Phylae and the emerald mines, I am not minded as many men are, nor will I abuse my fortune to get more than others possess. Moreover I do not desire an infinite empire because of this victory, but am content with those boundaries which nature made at first, when she separated Egypt from Ethiopia by the cataracts. Wherefore observing equity I am now returning thither, having got what I came down for. As for thee, if thou live, be governor of all thou hadst before, and tell the king of Persia that thy brother Hydaspes conquered thee in battle, but in moderation of mind gave thee back all that was thine, being desirous to keep thy friendship — which he accounts the fairest of all things among men — although he will not refuse to fight again, if thou shalt attempt anything hereafter. As for these people of Syene I remit them their tribute for ten years and charge you to do the same.'
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§ 9.25 When he had said this the citizens and the soldiers who were by thanked him and clapped their hands so loud that the noise might be heard a great way off. But Oroondates stretched out his hands and laying them crossways fell down and did obeisance to him, which thing the Persians are never wont to do to any strange king, and said:'Ye that be present, methinketh that I break not the custom of my country if I recognise as king the man who hath given me my governorship, neither do I wrong if I render obeisance to the justest man in the world, who might have slain me. But he gave me my life rather, and although he could have made me his slave, he hath given me my governorship again. Wherefore I promise both the Ethiopians and the Persians that, if I live, I will keep long peace and continual amity and perform to the Syenians that which I am commanded. But if anything should befall me, then I pray that the gods may reward Hydaspes and his house and all his posterity for the good deeds he hath done towards me.'
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§ 10.1 THE TENTH BOOK THE MARRIAGE OF THEAGENES AND CHARICLEA Let this suffice concerning what was done about Syene, which, after it was come into so great a danger, by the clemency and equity of one man received so good a turn. This done, Hydaspes sent a great part of his army before and went himself into Ethiopia, the people of Syene and all the Persians following him a great way and praising him much and making many supplications for his good and prosperous health. First he took his journey along the banks of the Nile and such other places as were near unto the same. But after he came to the Cataracts and had sacrificed to the Nile and the other gods of the land, he turned aside and went through the middle country rather. When he came to Phylae he gave his army leave to rest and refresh themselves for two days, and sending away a great number of his meanest soldiers tarried himself, to fortify the walls and set a garrison. This done, he chose two horsemen, who should ride in post before him and in certain towns and villages change their horses, with letters to Meroe to certify them of his victory. To the wise men who are called Gymnosophists and are of the king's council he wrote thus.
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§ 10.2'To the divine council Hydaspes sendeth greeting. I certify you of the victory I have had over the Persians. Yet I make no great count of my success but pay homage rather to the instability of fortune. I salute and commend by this letter your holy priesthood, which as at all times so now hath told me the truth. I pray you also and, as far as I may, command you to come to the appointed place, that with your presence you may make the sacrifice more acceptable to all the people of Ethiopia.' to his wife Persina he wrote thus:'Know that we have won the day, and, what touches you more nearly, are in good health. Wherefore make sumptuous provision to do sacrifice of thanksgiving to the gods, and when you have shewn the wise men our letters and exhorted them to be present, hasten to be in the field before the city, which is consecrated to our gods, the Sun, the Moon, and Bacchus.'
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§ 10.3 When Persina had read this letter she said:'Surely this was the dream I had last night. I thought that I was with child and brought forth a daughter who was straightway ripe for marriage. I guess now that my sorrow in travail betokened the battle, and my daughter the victory. Wherefore go into the city and tell them of this joyful news.' The couriers did as she commanded, and wreathing their heads with lotus of the Nile, and waving branches of palm in their hands they rode through the chief places of the city; and if they had said nothing else their gestures and the habit of their body would have declared the victory. Therefore all Meroe was suddenly full of joy, and the people flocked together, and sacrificed day and night in every family, street, and tribe, and thronged the temples; not so much glad of the victory as that Hydaspes was safe, because by his equity and courteous usage he had so won the hearts of his subjects that they loved him as a father.
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§ 10.4 Persina prepared great droves of oxen and horses and sheep, together with wild asses and gryphons and all manner of other beasts, and sent them before into the sacred field, that of every kind there might be a hecatomb, while what was left should serve for the public feast. Then she went to the Gymnosophists who dwell in the grove of Pan and gave them Hydaspes' letters, and prayed them to fulfil the king's request, and do her a pleasure and be an ornament to the sacrifice by their presence. They asked her to stay a while, and went themselves into the temple to pray and seek counsel from the gods what was best to do. Returning by and by, Sisimithres, who was chief of the king's council, said:'We will come, Persina; for the gods command us so to do: marry they foreshow that there will be a stir and business at the sacrifice, but it will have a good and delectable end, because that destiny will bring to light a member of your body for which you have sought, and a part of the kingdom which has long been lost.''Even terrible things,' said Persina'will change, and end happily, if you are here. And I will send you word when I hear that Hydaspes is almost come.''You need not send us word when he will come,' quoth Sisimithres;'for tomorrow morning he will be here, and so you will have knowledge by his letter anon.' And it happened so indeed. When Persina had departed and was almost come home to the king's palace, a post gave her letters from the king that told her he would be there the next day. Then straightway heralds spread the news abroad, commanding the men only to go out to meet the king, and forbidding the women. For as they were to sacrifice to the brightest and most pure of the gods, the Sun and the Moon, it was not the custom for women to be present, lest the sacrifice should unknowingly be defiled. Only the priestess of the Moon might take part; which was Persina, for by the custom of the country the king is the Sun's priest, and the queen the Moon's. Chariclea also was to be there, not as a looker on, but as a sacrifice to the moon. Then was there great ado in the city, and the people did not wait for the appointed day but that evening began to pass over the river Astabora, some by the bridge, others who dwelled afar off in boats made of reeds, whereof many grow at the river's side. And these boats are very swift, both because of the stuff whereof they are made and also for their burden, since they never carry more than two or three persons. For the reed is cut into two parts and of either part they make a boat.
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§ 10.5 Meroe the chief city of Ethiopia is a three-cornered island about which do run navigable rivers, the Nile, and the Astabora and the Asasoba. At the topmost point is the Nile, which there divides itself into two parts; the other two rivers run on both sides one by the other, and then meeting fall into the Nile, and yield their waters and their name. The island is very large and almost imitates the mainland — for it is three hundred three score and fifteen miles long and six score and five broad — and it engenders beasts of wonderful greatness of all kinds and especially elephants. Trees grow there without the work of men, and it brings forth much other fruit. There are palm trees of great height which bear stores of dates, and corn and wheat of such tallness that it will hide a man on horseback and even sometimes though he sits upon a camel. And the reeds that grow there are such as we spake of before.
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§ 10.6 The people spent the night in crossing the rivers, and going on to meet Hydaspes received him with great shouts and clamours as though he had been a god. But the Gymnosophists waited for him just before the sacred field and gave him their hands and welcomed him with kisses. When they had done, Persina met him in the temple porch. Then after prayers were ended and thanksgiving for his victory and safe return, they made them ready for the public sacrifice. The king sat in a tabernacle built before for the purpose, which was made of four reeds newly cut down, four square, so that at every corner stood a reed to stay it up instead of a pillar, while the top was round and covered with divers boughs, the fairest whereof were branches broken from the palm trees. In another tabernacle close by upon a high platform were set the images of the native gods and the pictures of their heroes, Memnon, Perseus and Andromeda, whom the kings of Ethiopia suppose to be the authors of their stock. On a lower platform, with the gods as it were above their heads, sat the Gymnosophists. About them stood a company of soldiers, with lifted shields touching one another, who kept back the multitude and reserved a place in the midst for the sacrifices free from tumult. Hydaspes in few words declared to the people his victory and what he had done else fortunately for the common wealth, and then commanded the priests to begin the sacrifice. There were three altars made, of which the two appertaining to the Sun and Moon were set together. The third, the altar of Bacchus, was erected a good way off, and thereon they sacrificed all manner of living things, because that the power of his divinity extends over all the people, I think, and pleases every man. Upon the other altars, they offered to the Sun four white horses, the swiftest creatures to the most rapid of the gods; to the Moon a pair of oxen, giving her who is nearest to the earth those animals that work the earth.
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§ 10.7 While these things were a doing, suddenly a confused and mingled shout arose, as was like from such an infinite multitude, crying:'Let the rites of our country be performed; let the wonted sacrifice for the nation be offered: let the first fruits of the war be presented to the gods.' Hydaspes perceived that they called for human sacrifices, which are wont to be offered only from those that are taken in foreign wars, and beckoned with his hand, and told them that he would do forthwith what they required; and thereupon he commanded that the prisoners appointed for the purpose be brought forth; among whom came Theagenes and Chariclea, loosed from their chains and with garlands upon their heads. All the others were very heavy, and good reason why, save that Theagenes was less dismayed than the rest. But Chariclea smiled and went with a cheerful countenance, and ever looked steadfastly upon Persina, so that the queen herself was moved thereby, and sore sighing said;'O husband, what a maid have you appointed to be sacrificed! I know not whether I ever saw so fair a creature. What a stout stomach and what a beautiful visage hath she! With how courageous a heart beareth she this misfortune! How doth she move my mind by reason of her flowering age! If the daughter I had by you, who was so cruelly lost, had lived, she would have been almost as old. I would to God, husband, you might deliver her by some means from this peril. Surely I should have great comfort if she served at my table and waited upon me. Perhaps also the unhappy creature is a Greek, for never was there such a face in Egypt.''She is a Greek,' answered he;'and as to her parents she promised that she would shew them to us at this time; though how she can I know not. But that she should be delivered from this sacrifice is not possible; although I would fain it were, for I too am moved somewhat by the maid and feel compassion toward her. You know that our law requireth a man to be offered to the Sun and a woman to the Moon, and as she was the first prisoner brought to me and ordained for this purpose, the people would be content with no excuse. Only one help is there, if she be found not to be a clean virgin when she shall go to the fire, seeing that the law willeth that she who is offered to the Moon shall be clean, and likewise he that is sacrificed to the Sun; but as for Bacchus it makes no great matter. But take heed that if she be found at the fire to have accompanied with men it will not be seemly to take her into your household.' Then said Persina:'Let her found to have done that, so only she be saved. Captivity, war, and banishment so far from her own country do excuse her even if she have done any such thing, whose beauty is sufficient to make her to be forced.'
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§ 10.8 While she spake thus and wept — although she would not have them that were by perceive it — Hydaspes commanded the sacred fire to be brought. Then the priests, choosing young children from among the crowd — for they alone could touch it without hurt — brought the fire from the temple and set it in the midst and bade all the prisoners tread upon it. But when they trod they were burned in the soles of their feet and were not able to abide even for a moment, there being spits of gold laid in the fire that possessed power to burn every unchaste person and those that were forsworn; but such as had lived purely might tread upon them and have no harm. Wherefore they set aside all those prisoners for Bacchus and the other gods, save only two or three maids of Greece who were found by the fire to have kept their virginity.
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§ 10.9 When Theagenes put his foot to the fire and was found a maid, there was great wondering among the people, both because he was so tall and beautiful and also that being young and lusty he never had to do with any woman: and so he was appointed to be offered to the Sun. Then spake he softly to Chariclea:'Is sacrificing the reward of such as live cleanly in Ethiopia, and shall they be slain who keep their virginity? Why, Chariclea, do you not now manifest yourself? What other time do you look for hereafter, or will you tarry till some one cut our throats? Utter, I pray you, and tell your estate. Perhaps when you are known you will save me; and if not, you yourself at least will escape from danger: which thing when I see I shall be content to die.' She answered him that the time was now at hand and that all their fortune was now at six and seven; and then, without tarrying for any command from those who had charge of that matter, she put upon her the holy garment that she had brought from Delphi, which she always carried in a little fardell about her, wrought with gold and bright gleaming spangles. Then casting her hair abroad, like one taken with a divine fury, she ran and leapt into the fire and stood there a great while unharmed, her beauty shining the more, so that every man marvelled at her, and by reason of her dress thought her more like a goddess than a mortal woman. Thereat was every man amazed and muttered sore, but nothing they said plainly; and above all things they wondered that she, being more beautiful than any mortal woman and in her best youth, had not lost her virginity. So that many of the company were sorrowful that she was fit to be offered, and if they wist how would gladly have delivered her, even though they were very superstitious. But Persina above all was sad, and spake to Hydaspes:'How unhappy is this wench who boasteth so of her virginity at this unseasonable time, and will pay with death for all her praise! What can be done, husband?' He answered:'You trouble me to no purpose and vainly pity her who cannot be saved, but has been kept from the beginning, it seems, for the gods, because of the great excellency of her nature.' Then turning to the Gymnosophists he said:'Right wise men, seeing that all things are ready, why do you not begin the sacrifice?''God forbid,' said Sisimithres speaking in Greek that the people might not understand:'we have defiled our eyes and ears too much with this that is done already. As for us, we will go away hence to the temple, for this abominable sacrifice of men and women we do not ourselves allow, nor do we think the gods approve. I would that we might prevent indeed all sacrifice that is made with slaughter of living things, for in our opinion that sufficeth which is done with prayers and the sweet savour of incense. Do you tarry — for it is necessary beyond doubt at times for a king to bow to the desire of the multitude — and perform this unholy sacrifice, which because of the ancient law of Ethiopia cannot be avoided. Hereafter will you need purification — and yet perhaps no; for I do not think that this sacrifice will ever be performed. That I guess both from the other signs that God now gives me and the light that shines around these strangers signifying that some god is their defender.'
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§ 10.10 When he had said this, he and the others who sat with him arose and prepared to depart. But Chariclea leapt out of the fire and ran to him and fell at his knees — in spite of the officers who would have stayed her, because they thought that her supplication was for nothing else but to crave that she might not die — and said:'Most wise men, stay a little; for I have a cause to plead with the king and queen, and must have judgment thereon, and I hear that you only can give sentence upon such noble persons. Wherefore abide, and be judges in this plea of life and death; for you shall know that it is neither possible nor just to offer me to the gods.' They heard what she said gladly, and spake to the king saying:'Dost thou hear, O king, this appeal and what this stranger requireth?' Hydaspes smiled and said,'What fashion of judgment may this be, and what have I to do with her, and on what grounds of equity doth it depend?''That which she will say,' quoth Sisimithres,'will declare that.''But will not the matter seem no judgment but plain insolence,' said Hydaspes,'if the king stand to plead against a prisoner?''Equity and justice have no respect for honour and estate,' answered Sisimithres;'with them he is king who bringeth the best reasons.' Hydaspes said:'The law giveth you leave to determine controversies between the king and his subjects, not with aliens and strangers.' Sisimithres answered:'Wise and discreet men do not measure justice by outward appearances but rather by equity.''Well,' quoth Hydaspes,'let her speak, since it is Sisimithres pleasure; but it is manifest that she will speak nothing to the purpose, but only some foolish things devised to make delay, as those who are in extreme peril are commonly wont to do.'
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§ 10.11 Chariclea was already bold of spirit, for hope of her delivery from these dangers which she trusted would come to pass, but when she heard the name of Sisimithres she was exceeding glad. For he it was who first took her and gave her to Charicles these ten years past, when he was sent as ambassador to Oroondates about the emerald mines. At that time he was but one of the Gymnosophists, but now he was chief of all the rest. Chariclea knew him not by face, because she was separated from him very young when she was but seven years old; marry she remembered his name, and was the more glad for that, because she trusted he would be her advocate and help her to be known. Therefore she held her hands up to heaven and said aloud that all might hear:'O Sun, the founder of my ancestors' pedigree, and ye other gods and heroes, bear me witness that I say nothing but truth, and help me in this case, wherein of many just pleas I will begin with this: Doth the law command strangers, O king, or men of this country to be sacrificed?''Strangers,' quoth he.'Then it is time,' she said,'that you seek some other to be sacrificed; for you will find me to be one of this country born and your subject.' He marvelled at this and said she lied.'Soft, quoth Chariclea,'you wonder at small things, but there be grater matters than this, for I am not only of this country but also of the blood royal.' Hydaspes despised her words and turned away as though they were folly.'Nay, father,' quoth she,'leave off thus to despise and refuse your own daughter.' Thereon the king not only despised her but waxed very wroth, thinking this to be scorn and intolerable insolence, and said:' Sisimithres and ye others, how long shall she abuse my patience? Is not the maid stark mad, with bold lies seeking to avoid death? She pretends that she is my daughter as though this were a scene in a comedy. For my part I never had so good luck as to have a child: once only it was told that I had one, but I lost her forthwith. Wherefore let some one carry her away, that she delay the sacrifice no longer.''No man shall carry me away,' cried Chariclea,'except the judges command it: you yourself are not judge now, you are being judged. The law perhaps suffereth you, O king, to kill strangers, but neither this law nor the law of nature allows you, father, to kill your own children. For the gods will prove this day that you are my father, though you say nay. Every controversy in law, O king, standeth upon two points especially; that is to say, on proof by writings and confirmation by witnesses; and I will bring both to prove that I am your daughter. For my witness I will bring none of the common sort but the judge himself — for the judge's knowledge is the surest proof methinks that a pleader can give — and for writings I will lay before you this, which shall tell you both of mine and of your estate.'
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§ 10.12 Saying this she took the band that was exposed with her, which she wore about her body, and unfolded it and gave it to Persina. As soon as the queen saw it she was straightway so amazed that she could say never a word, and looked a great while upon that which was written therein and upon the maid together, so that for fear she trembled and sweat sore, and was glad of what she saw, marry she was much troubled with the suddenness of the chance, which happened in such sort as no man would believe it. Besides she feared lest Hydaspes should suspect somewhat now that this was discovered, and be too light of belief, or angry, or perhaps punish her. Insomuch that Hydaspes seeing her so troubled said:'Wife, what meaneth this? Doth aught contained in this writing thus trouble thee?''O king,' quoth she,'my lord and husband, I have nothing to say thereto; take it and read it yourself; it will tell you all well enough.' And as soon as she had given it she sat silent with downcast face. When Hydaspes had it, and called the Gymnosophists to read it with him, he ran over the same and marvelled much thereat himself, and perceived well that Sisimithres was amazed and that a thousand thoughts arose in his mind, so that he looked often upon the writing and often upon the maid. At length when he had read of how she was exposed and the reason thereof he said:'I know well that a daughter was born to me and that I was told she dead, and I learn now, as Persina herself says, that she was not dead but was sent abroad to seek her fortune. But who was the man who took her up, saved her, and nourished her thus, and who was he that carried her to Egypt? Has she not been taken now as a prisoner? To be short, how may I know that this is she, and that my child who was cast forth is not dead, and some one happening on these tokens is not now abusing fortune? I fear that some evil spirit is mocking us with this maid for his instrument, and that scorning our desire to have a child he puts off some changeling upon us and by this writing darkens the truth.'
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§ 10.13 To this Sisimithres answered:'I can resolve you of your first doubt. I am the man who took her up and kept her secretly and carried her to Egypt, when you sent me thither as ambassador. You know that we may not lie. And I recognise the writing on the band, which is, as you see, in the royal Ethiopian characters, and you have good reason to know it too, for it was written by Persina's hand. But there were other tokens also which I gave to him who received her from me, a Greek and by seeming a good and honest man.''I have them also,' said Chariclea; and so showed them the jewels; with which sight Persina was more astonished than she was before. When Hydaspes asked her what they were and whether she knew anything thereof she gave him no other answer but that she knew them, marry it was better to make further trial of these things at home. Then was Hydaspes almost beside himself again. But Chariclea said:'These tokens my mother gave me; but this ring is yours.' And therewith she showed him the Pantarbe. Hydaspes knew it, for he gave it to Persina when he was betrothed to her. and said:'These tokens, good maid, are mine, but I am not yet assured that you who have them are my daughter, and have not come by them by some other means. For to omit other things, your colour is strange and the like is not seen in Ethiopia.''She was white also,' said Sisimithres,'that I took up: moreover the term of years doth well agree with the age of this maid; for the time when the child was exposed is now seventeen years gone and she is seventeen years old. The look of her eyes too makes for us, and I recognise the excellent beauty of her body to be like that I saw at that time.'' Sisimithres,' quoth Hydaspes,'you have said very well, and rather have defended this cause as an advocate than sat upon it in judgment. But beware that, while you take away this part of this doubt, you rouse not a hard question and one difficult for my wife to resolve. How is it possible in reason that we being both Ethiopians should beget a white child?' Sisimithres looked aside upon him, and smiling scornfully said:'I know not what aileth you that you thus strangely reproach me with my advocacy. I deem not that I might not neglect the same, for we count that man to be a true judge who is ever the advocate of what is just. And why should I not seem to have pleaded for you as much as for the maid? By the help of Heaven I have shewn you to be her father. Was I to neglect the child whom I saved in her cradle, now that she has been preserved for you in the bloom of her youth? Think as you will of us, we care not at all. For we live not to please other men but to content our own conscience, following after right and equity. As touching your question of her colour, the writing on the band answereth you, for Persina there allows that in her conception she drew somewhat from the figure of Andromeda, by looking upon her when you had to do with her. If you desire to be fully satisfied herein, look yourself also now, and you will find that Andromeda is well expressed in the maid as in the picture without any difference.'
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§ 10.14 Thereupon the servants were bidden to bring the picture in, and when they set it down near to Chariclea there was such a shout among the people, wondering at the exactness of the likeness and telling the story to those who knew it not, that Hydaspes himself could disbelieve no more, but stood a great while held fast with joy and amazement.'One point still is wanting,' quoth Sisimithres:'this is a question of the throne, and the true succession and above all of verity. Strip up your sleeve, maid. There was a black spot above your elbow. It is no shame to be stripped to testify to your parents and kindred.' Chariclea uncovered her left arm, and upon it there was a circle as of ebony staining the ivory of her skin. Persina then could contain herself no longer. She leapt from her throne and embraced her and wept, and for the exceedingness of her joy which she could not conceal she broke into sobs and mutterings, and almost fell to the ground in Chariclea's arms. Hydaspes had pity upon his wife, when he saw her lament so, and himself was like affected in his mind too; but he kept the tears back from his eyes, as if they had been made of iron or horn, as he looked upon what was being done. His heart swelled with fatherly affection and with manly spirit, so that he was drawn both ways: but at length nature prevailed, which overcometh all things, and not only did he suffer himself to be persuaded that he was a father, but was also affected like a father, so that when he saw Persina fall, he took her up, embraced Chariclea, and with tears as with an offering made a fatherly league with her. Yet he did not forget what he had to do, but stood a while and looked upon the people, who were affected like himself and through joy and pity wept to see that strange hap and would not hear the heralds' cries which commanded silence. Wherefore he stretched out his hand and bade them be still, and when he had appeased them he said:'Ye people that are present, contrary to all hope, as you see and hear, the gods have declared that I am a father, and that this is my daughter is proved by many arguments. Yet do I owe such good will to you and my country that without regard to the succession of my blood or the joy I have to be called father — both of which things by her are now like to ensue — I am ready on your behalf to offer her to the gods. I see that you are weeping and are affected like men, pitying the untimely age of the maid appointed to die, and pitying also my vain hope of succession hereafter; yet even though perhaps you say nay, I must needs perform the custom of our country, and rather have regard to the public utility than to my private profit. I know not whether it be the gods' will to give her to me and at once to take her away — as they did when first she was born and now are like to do again when she is found — but I leave that to be scanned by your discretion; nor can I determine whether they would have her sacrificed, whom they have banished into the farthest part of the world and by a wonderful chance brought to me again as a prisoner. I slew her not when she was my enemy, nor did I insult her when she was my captive, but now, when she has been shewn to be my daughter, I will sacrifice her, if you wish it, without more ado. I will not yield to affection, which in another father perhaps deserved pardon, nor hesitate, nor beg you to excuse me and justify this before the law, nor will I put the claims of nature first or think that in some other fashion we might appease the gods. Even as you have been like affected with me and have grieved for my sorrows as your own, so now I will make more account of your public weal than mine own, caring not for my loss or for poor Persina's tears, who now hath seen her first child and is at once made childless again. Wherefore, if you will, leave your weeping and fruitless pitying of me, and let us go to the sacrifice. As for thee, my daughter — for now for the first and last time I call thee by that pleasant name — whose beauty is peerless to no purpose, and hast found thy parents in vain, in an ill time happening upon thine own country worse to thee than any strange land, who hast been safe in other countries but art in danger of death in thine own, trouble not my mind with sorrowful weeping, but if ever thou didst show thyself to be of stout courage and princely mind, now pluck up thy heart and follow thy father, who cannot provide a marriage for thee nor bring thee to bed in any costly bowers, but makes thee ready for sacrifice and bears before thee not such tapers as are used for bridals but those appointed for sacrifice, and in place of a victim offers thine unspeakable beauty. And bear with me, O ye gods, if affection hath caused me to speak anything that is scarce godly or religious, who have both called this maid my daughter and am ready to take her life away.'
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§ 10.15 When he had said thus he took Chariclea by the hand and made as though he would lead her to the altars and they pyre. But his own heart burned with a fiercer fire and he prayed that the words he had spoken to the people might be of no effect. Then the whole multitude of the Ethiopians was moved and would not suffer him to lead Chariclea one foot further but cried out suddenly aloud:'Save the maid: save the blood royal: save her whom the gods have preserved. We thank you, you have done for us all that the law requireth, we acknowledge you for our good king. Now acknowledge yourself to be a father, and may the gods forgive us for our offence, if so it seems. Our offence will be greater if we resist their will. Let no man be so bold as to kill her whom they have preserved. You, who are the father of the people abroad, be father in your own house at home also.' A thousand other things like these they said, and at length to show that they would prevent him in deed, they stepped before him and would not suffer him to go forward, but desired him to appease the gods with some other sacrifice. Hydaspes was content with all his heart to yield in this matter, and without much ado to bear this wished inforcement, and gave the people leave to wish him joy of his good luck, seeing that they were shouting and leaping in gladness and thinking that anon they would make an end of their own accord.
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§ 10.16 Then he himself standing nearer to Chariclea said:'Dear daughter, that thou art my child hath been proved by the tokens and wise Sisimithres beareth witness and above all the favour of the gods hath declared. But what fellow is this who was taken with thee and is now at the altar ready to be sacrificed, or how did you call him your brother when you were brought into my presence at Syene first? I do not think that he too will be proved my son; for Persina had no more but you at one time.' Chariclea blushed and cast down her eyes and said:'I told you an untruth when I said he was my brother, but necessity forced me to make that excuse. What he is indeed he can tell you better than I; for he is a man, and therefore will not be afraid to speak more boldly than I, who am a woman.' Hydaspes not perceiving what she meant said:'My daughter, pardon me because I made thee to blush in asking thee a question whereto a maid ought not answer. But sit you in the tabernacle with your mother, who will be more glad of you now than when you were born to her, and whereas she is ill at ease comfort her with your presence and tell her your affairs. I will see to the sacrifice and seek out some other maid, if there be any to be found, who may be sacrifice in your stead with the young man.'
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§ 10.17 Chariclea almost cried out for rage when she heard that Theagenes should be sacrificed. Yet, because it was best, with much ado she concealed her mad affection, and aiming secretly at her purpose again said:'Sire, you need not seek another woman, seeing that the people through me have remitted that part of the sacrifice. But if any one insist, then you must not only seek another woman but another man also: if you do not, then you must sacrifice none other but me with him.''God forbid,' said the king.'Why say you so?' She answered:'Because the gods have appointed that I must both live and die with this man.' Hydaspes not yet understanding the truth said:'Daughter, I praise you for your courtesy, in that you have pity upon this Greek stranger, your companion and fellow captive, with whom in your travels you have fallen acquainted, and desire to save his life. But he cannot be delivered from the sacrifice. It is not right at all that the custom of our country be broken as concerns the making of sacrifice for victory; and besides the people will not be content, who scarcely even by the goodness of the gods were moved to pity thee.' Then said Chariclea:'O king — for perhaps I may not call thee father — if the goodness of the gods hath saved my body, that same goodness now may save my soul; for that this is my soul the gods of destiny know. But if the fates allow not this, and the slaughter of this stranger must needs adorn this offering, grant me one request. Let me kill the victim, and I will get me a name for stoutness among the Ethiopians, with a sword that shall be the greatest thing and the dearest that ever you shall be able to give me.'
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§ 10.18 Hydaspes was troubled at this, and said:'I understand not what this contrariety in your mind meaneth, who lately wished to defend and save the stranger, and now would with your own hand kill him as if he were your mortal enemy. Nor do I see for one of your age what honour or glory can be in such a thing. But even if there were, it is not possible; for this deed is only lawful for the priests of the Sun and Moon, and not to all of them, but only to the man who hath a wife and the wife who hath a husband. Which being so, your virginity doth debar your strange request.''Truly,' said Chariclea to Persina in her ear,'that need not prevent me. I have one already who fulfils that part, if you be willing.''We will be willing,' said Persina merrily,'and with the gods consent we will marry you to some one whom we shall choose worthy both of you and us.' Chariclea then spake more plainly:'You need not choose him; he is chosen already.' She was about to say something more openly — for the present peril that she saw Theagenes in emboldened her and made her lay aside her maidenly modesty — but Hydaspes would hear no longer and said:'Ye gods, how seem you to mingle evil things and good together and to lessen on one way or other this unlooked for felicity of mine. You have given me a daughter whom I never expected, but you have made her in a manner mad. For must we not judge her frenzied that speaketh such foolish words? She called him her brother who was not so. When she was asked who this stranger was, she answered that she knew him not. Then, him whom she knew not she sought to save as her friend. Which when it was denied her, she begged me that she might kill him as her greatest enemy. When this could not be granted her, because it was lawful for none to do it but such a one as had a husband, she said that she was married, and named not to whom. How can she have a husband when the fire declares that he neither is nor ever has been? Unless perchance in her case alone that doth err which with the Ethiopians is an unerring trial of chastity, and sent her away unburned when she trod upon it, and would give her grace falsely to play the virgin. I never saw any but her who made the same man her friend and her enemy in one minute of an hour, and feigned to have brothers and husbands who never were. Wherefore, wife, go you into the tabernacle and see if you can bring her to her wits again; whether she is made mad by the god who cometh to this sacrifice, or is beside herself with too much joy because of this unlooked for fortune. I will tell someone to look and find another maid in her place who must be sacrificed to the gods, and meanwhile I will go and deal with the embassies that have come from diverse foreign lands and receive the gifts that they have brought to welcome me home after my victory.'
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§ 10.19 When he had said this he sat on a high seat near to the tabernacle, and commanded the legates to come and let him see what they brought. The chamberlain Harmonias asked him whether all should come together or each nation in order by itself.'Let each one come in order,' quoth he,'that I may honour every man as he deserves.''Then,' said the chamberlain,'your brother's son Meroebus shall come first, who has just arrived and waits beyond the guard for himself to be announced.''Thou dolt,' quoth Hydaspes,'why didst thou not tell me of him forthwith? Thou knowest he is not legate but a king, my brother's son who deceased but lately, whom I have placed on his throne and by adoption have made my heir.''All this I knew, O king,' said Harmonias;'but I thought it best to wait for the fitting moment, and that is a thing for chamberlains that beyond all needs care. Pardon me therefore, I beseech you, if I durst not be so bold as to break off the pleasant talk you had with the royal ladies.''Well, let him come now,' said the king. He went as he was bidden and returned straightway with his charge.
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§ 10.20 Meroebus was a tall and proper youth, at that time just coming to man's estate, for he was seventeen years old and was taller than any other who was there, and had a comely crew of goodly fellow who waited upon him, and the Ethiopian army with great admiration and reverence made him ready way. Nor did Hydaspes tarry in his seat, but arose to meet him, and embraced him with a fatherly affection, and set him beside him, and taking him by the right hand said:'My son, you come in good time; for beside celebrating this solemn sacrifice with me for my victory you shall be royally married. Our gods and heroes, the founders of our race, have provided me with a daughter who shall belike be your wife. But of the secrecies thereof you shall know hereafter: now tell me if you wish to do aught for the people under your dominion.' Meroebus, when he heard mention of a wife, what for joy and shame, could not hide himself in his black colour, so that men did not see he blushed. A red glow, like fire on embers, spread over his cheeks, and after he had stayed awhile he said:'Father, the other legates that come will give you of the most precious things that grow in their countries to honour your glorious victory. But I, because you have been valiant in battle and declared your excellent manhood in noble exploits, have though it good to give you a gift like thereunto. I bring you therefore a man so well practised in bloodshed and war that none can be found to face him, so sturdy in wrestling and in fighting with plummets of lead and in all manner of other exercises that no man is able to withstand his strength.' Therewith he bade the man come forth. He stepped out and did obeisance to Hydaspes, and was of such stature, being a man of the old making, that when he stooped to kiss the king's knee he was as high almost as those who sat upon their raised chairs. This done, he waited not for command but put off his apparel and stood naked, and made challenge against all that would come, either with weapon or with hand. After none came forth, though diverse proclamations were made, the king said:'You shall have a gift from us like to yourself. And then he commanded to fetch an old elephant, which was very great. When the beast was brought, the man received it gladly, and the people suddenly fell in a great laughter, being well pleased with the king's joke and somewhat comforted for their submission by this jest against his boastfulness.
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§ 10.21 After him came the ambassadors of the Seres, and brought to him two garments, one purple and the other white, the yarn whereof was spun by the spiders that breed in their country. When their gifts were received, and they had begged the king that such of their countrymen as were condemned in his prison might be delivered, and had obtained their suit, the ambassadors of Arabia Felix came and offered to him odoriferous leaves of casia and cinnamon and other sweet scents that grow in Arabia, worth many talents, so that all the place was filled with their fragrance. After them came men of Troglodytis bringing powdered gold and a pair of gryphons harnessed in golden reins. Then came the embassy of the Blemmyes, who carried bows and arrows made of dragon's bones entwined in a wreath, and said:'We bring you, O king, such gifts as are not in value equal to the others, but there was good account made of them, as you can say yourself, in the battle at the river against the Persians.''They are more worth than others of greater price,' quoth Hydaspes,'for they are the cause why the others are brought to us:' and then he bade them tell him what they requested. They desired that they might have their tribute abated, and he released them from it altogether for fourteen years.
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§ 10.22 This done, when almost all who came on embassy had been seen and were as well or better rewarded than their gifts deserved, last there came the legates of the Axiomitae, who paid no tribute but were his allies and confederates. Wherefore they rejoiced with him in his prosperity, and brought him gifts also, among others a beast of wonderful and rare nature as big as a camel. The colour of his skin was spotted as a leopard and though his hind quarters drooped lion -like, yet his shoulders, forefeet and breast rose high, far beyond the proportion of his other limbs. His neck was slender, and although the rest of his body was great, his throat was long and thin like a swan. His head was after a camel's fashion and in size about twice as big as a Libyan ostrich, wherein he rolled his eyes terribly as though they were coloured beneath with red. In his gait he went like no beast either of the earth or water, but moved his legs on either side both at once, so that he moved his right legs and left legs not in order nor one after the other, but all his half body with either of them. He was so tame and gentle to move that he was guided by his keeper with a little cord, and obeyed his will as though it were a chain that could not be broken.
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§ 10.23 As soon as the beast was brought in it filled all the people with amazement and from the fashion of the principal parts of its body they gave it at once the name of camelopard. Moreover it threw all the gathering into confusion: for this is what befell. At the altar of the Moon stood two bullocks, and at the altar of the Sun four white horses ready to be sacrificed. When this monstrous strange foreign creature appeared they were as sore troubled and afraid as if they had seen a spirit, and the one of the two bulls who, it seems, saw him, and two of the horses, broke away from those that held them, and ran about as fast as they could. They could not break out of the compass of the army, because all the soldiers with their shields had made as it were a wall round, but they ran here and there and overthrew all that came in their way, pots and pans and living creatures, so that there was a great shouting partly for fear from those on whom they came down, partly for joy and pleasure that others had to see them run over their mates and tread them under their feet. Wherefore Persina and Chariclea could not be quiet in their tabernacle, but drew aside the curtain to see what was being done. Then Theagenes, either moved by his own manly courage, or else stirred by an impulse from heaven, when he saw his keepers dispersed here and there in the tumult, started up suddenly — for before he kneeled at the altar and expected every minute to be slain — and took a cleft stick, whereof there lay a great many upon the altar, and leapt upon one of the horses that had not broken loose, and holding him by the mane instead of a bridle, and with his heels and the cleft stick making him to go, followed after the bull. At first every man thought that Theagenes was seeking to escape and they called one to the other not to let him go out from the compass of the soldiers. But by what he did next they learned that his was no act of cowardice to avoid the sacrifice. For when he had very quickly overtaken the bull, at first he drove him forward from behind, goading and stirring him on to a faster speed, following wherever he went and carefully avoiding his short horns so that they hurt him not. Then, after he had made the bull familiar with the sight of him and what he did, he rode his horse close to his side, so near that their skins touched and their breath and sweat were mingled together, and he kept them to such an equal course that those who were afar off deemed that their heads were joined together, and commended Theagenes to the heavens who had so strangely yoked a horse and a bull at one. The people looked in wonder, but when Chariclea saw it she trembled and quaked, because she knew not what he meant to do and was as sore afraid of any hurt to him as if she should have been slain herself. Persina espied her and said:'Daughter, what ailest thou? Thou seemest to be in every danger that this stranger is in. Truly I myself am somewhat moved and have pity for his youth, and I pray that he escape this peril and be kept for sacrifice, so that the service of the gods may not be altogether imperfect and neglected by us.''That is a jest indeed,' said Chariclea,'to wish that he may not die so that he may not live. If you can, mother, save the man and do me a pleasure.' Persina, not suspecting the truth but thinking she was a little in love with him, said:'It is not possible to save him; but be not afraid to tell thy mother what acquaintance thou hast with him that thou shouldest be so very anxious on his behalf. For though it be a youthful motion and scarce seemly for a maiden, a mother's nature knows how to conceal her daughter's weakness, and one woman another's plight, because perhaps they have the same feelings.' Thereat Chariclea wept very sorrowfully and said:'In this point above all am I unhappy, because even those that have understanding understand not my words, and when I tell them of my troubles they think that there is naught in my tale. So now I am forced to tell the bare truth and to accuse myself openly.'
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§ 10.24 As she said thus and was about to tell her the matter truly, she was stopped by a great cry of the people again. For Theagenes, after he had let his horse run as fast as he could till his breast was level with the bull's head, allowed him to go at liberty, and leaping flung himself upon the bull's head between his horns, and cast his arms about it like a garland, and clasped his fingers on his forehead in front, and let the rest of his body hang down by his right shoulder. So hanging he was carried along, moving lightly with the bull's leaps, and at length, when he perceived that he was weary with the burden and his muscles faint with too much straining, coming to the place where Hydaspes sat, he pulled his head sideways, and putting his own feet in front of the bull's legs, while he pawed the ground with his hoofs, he made him stand still. The bull, being thus hindered in his course and overcome by the youth's strength, fell down upon his head and shoulders, so that his horns stuck so fast in the ground that he could not move his head, and his feet stood upward, wherewith he sprawled in vain a great while and by his feebleness declared that he was overcome. Theagenes pressed him down, holding him with his left arm, while he lifted his right hand to heaven and looked merrily at Hydaspes and all who were there, by his smiling face inviting them to share in his triumph, whose famousness was declared by the bull's bellowing as well as if it had been declared by a trumpet. The noise was re-echoed by the people's shouting, who said nothing plainly in his praise but with wide throats and gaping mouths raised for a great while shouts of wonder to heaven. By Hydaspes' command the servants ran and some brought Theagenes to him and others tied ropes about the bull's horns, and took him with the horse, and fastened them to the altars again. Hydaspes was about to say somewhat to Theagenes, but the people, delighted with the young man, and singularly well minded to him ever since they saw him first, and marvelling at his strength, but even more for spite they had toward Meroebus' Ethiopian champion, cried with one voice:'Let this fellow be matched with Meroebus' man: let him that received the elephant contend with him that overcame the bull.' As they were very insistent, Hydaspes agreed and the Ethiopian was brought forth straightway, who looked proudly and fiercely about him and with slow steps shook his elbows broadways in very insolent fashion.
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§ 10.25 When he had come near to the king's seat, Hydaspes looked at Theagenes and said in Greek:'Stranger, the people bid that you contend with this fellow.''I am pleased to do as they will have me,' said Theagenes;'but in what fashion must we be matched?''In wrestling,' quoth Hydaspes.'Why should we not rather fight with swords?' said he.'Then either I might do some glorious deed or else in death be slain and so content Chariclea, who till now hath endured to conceal our estate or rather given me my last farewell.''What you mean by this talk of Chariclea,' said Hydaspes,'I know not. But you must wrestle and not fight with swords, because it is not lawful to see any blood shed before the time of the sacrifice.' Then Theagenes perceived that Hydaspes feared lest he should be slain before the offering, and said:'You do well to keep me for the gods, and they will have regard for me.' So first he took dust and cast it upon his arms and shoulders, that were yet sweaty with chasing the bull, and shook that off which stuck not fast to his body. Then he stretched out both is arms and got a firm footing for his feet, and bending his knees and bowing his back inclined his neck forward with body taut awaiting for the grip at the close. The Ethiopian seeing him laughed scornfully and with disdainful gestures seemed to mock his adversary and ran suddenly forward and with his elbow hit Theagenes in the neck, as sore as if he had stricken him with a bar, and then drew back and laughed again at his own foolish conceit. But Theagenes, like a man from his cradle brought up in wrestling and thoroughly instructed in Mercury's art, thought it good to give way at first and make trial of his adversary's strength, and not to withstand so rude a violence, but by art to delude the same. Therefore he stooped lower, and made semblance as though he had been very sorrowful, and laid the other side of his neck to receive the next blow, and when the Ethiopian struck gave way, and feigned to fall flat upon his face. The Ethiopian was now full of courage and despised his enemy and came on for the third time unadvisedly and prepared to strike him with his elbow again. But Theagenes avoiding his attack stooped and suddenly gripped him, pinning his left arm with his right elbow, and thus held fast made him bend forward, inasmuch as because of his vain blow he was already inclining to the ground. Next getting him under the armpits and with much ado twining his hands about his back and great gorbelly, he forced him off his feet by working his heel over his ankles and compelled him to sink on to his knees. Then he straddled over him and driving his legs apart with his feet he knocked away the Ethiopian's wrists, wherewith he stayed himself from the ground, and bringing his forearms tight about his forehead and straining backwards constrained him to lay his belly flat upon the earth.
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§ 10.26 Thereat the people gave a greater shout than they did before, and the king himself could stay no longer, but started from his seat and said:'O hateful necessity. What a man is this which our law compels us to kill!' Then calling him unto him he said:'Young sir, naught remains now but that thou be crowned before the sacrifice. Take then the crown for this thy glorious victory, although it be one unprofitable and lasting but for the day. I cannot deliver thee from thy fate though I would, but I will do for thee all that I may without breach of the laws. If thou knowest anything wherewith I can please thee while yet thou livest, ask and thou shalt have it.' And therewith he put a crown of gold and jewels upon Theagenes' head, and many men did see him weep.
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§ 10.27 Theagenes said:'Then I require you to let me obtain this request at your hand according as you have promised. If there be no way to escape this sacrifice command me to be killed by the hand of her who today was found to be your daughter.' Hydaspes was bitten by this word and recalled Chariclea's request, which was like to this. But he judged it of no matter at that pressing time to consider it narrowly, and said:'Stranger, I bade thee ask somewhat that might be granted, and promised to perform it. But the law exactly ordains that she who makes the sacrifice should have a husband.'' Chariclea hath a husband,' said Theagenes.'This man is mad,' Hydaspes cried,'and in truth giveth himself over to death. The fire declared that she was a maid unmarried who never had to do with a man: unless indeed you mean Meroebus here — I cannot tell how you should come by knowledge thereof — who is not yet her husband, although I have promised her to him.''You may add that he is not likely to be,' said Theagenes,'if I know anything of Chariclea's mind. And since I am a sacrifice it is only right to believe me when I prophecy.''Good sir,' said Meroebus,'sacrifices by their entrails do tell soothsayers of the future, not when they are alive but when they are killed and cut up. Wherefore, father, you said well that this stranger craved for death. Let some one, if you will, take him to the altar, and when you have dispatched any matter still left, do you perform the sacrifice.'
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§ 10.28 So Theagenes was carried to the place appointed, and Chariclea, who had been comforted a little by his victory and hoped for better fortune, when she saw him led away was sunk again in grief. Persina tried to comfort her in divers ways and told her that it was likely the young man might be saved, if only she would tell more plainly what remained of her story. Chariclea saw that the time would permit her to delay no longer, and prepared in haste to show to her the chief and principal points. But meanwhile, Hydaspes asking if there were any more come on embassy, Harmonias answered:'None save the people of Syene who have come but now, bringing with other presents a letter from Oroondates.''Let them approach,' said Hydaspes. And so they came and delivered the letter which he opened and read: the contents whereof were these:'To Hydaspes the gentle and fortunate king of the Ethiopians Oroondates the great king's governor sendeth greeting. Inasmuch as having overcome me in battle you overcame me even more in greatness of mind, and of your courtesy restored to me my governorship, I shall think it no marvel if you perform a small request for me now. There was a certain maid who in carriage from Memphis happened by chance of war to fall into your hands, and I was told by those who were with her and escaped that you commanded her to be carried captive to Ethiopia. This wench I beg you to send me, both because I desire her myself and especially since for her father's sake I would see her safe kept. He hath travelled far for her, and in his seeking was taken prisoner in this time of way by my soldiers who lay in garrison at Elephantina. I saw him there when I held review of those that escaped from the battle, and he desired that he might be sent to ask your clemency. You will find him with my present embassy, a man who by his manners alone declareth that he is a gentleman, and by his countenance showeth that he is worthy to obtain his desire at your hand. Send him back to me, O king, rejoicing, a father not merely in name but in truth.'
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§ 10.29 When Hydaspes had read the letter he asked which of these men is he who seeketh his daughter. They showed him a certain old man, to whom he said:'Stranger, I will gladly do anything that Oroondates requests. I commanded ten captive maidens only to be brought here. One of them is known not to be thine. But for the rest, look upon them all, and if thou canst find thy daughter take her back with thee.' The old man fell down and kissed his feet; but after he had looked upon them all as they were brought before him and found her not whom he sought, he was very sad, and said:'None of these, O king, is she.''You know,' quoth Hydaspes,'there is no want of good will in me. If you find her not whom you seek for, you must blame fortune. I give you leave to make yourself sure that there are no other maidens here beside these nor yet in the tents.'
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§ 10.30 The old man beat his brow and wept and then lifting up his head and looking at the multitude around him, he suddenly ran forward as though he had been mad. When he came to the altars he wound his cloak like a rope — for he had a cloak on by chance — and cast it about Theagenes' neck, and cried so that all men might hear:'I have found thee, mine enemy: I have gotten thee, thou mischievous and accursed fellow.' The keepers would have stayed him and plucked him away, but he held so fast that at last he prevailed upon them to bring him before Hydaspes and the council. There he spake thus:'This man, O king, is he who like a thief took my daughter from me: this is he who hath made my house desolate and without a child: this is he who took my dearest heart even from the altars of Apollo: and yet he sitteth now at the altars of your gods like a good and devout man.' All that were there were moved, and though they understood not his words they marvelled greatly at his doings.
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§ 10.31 Then did Hydaspes bid him tell more plainly what he wished; and the old man — who was Charicles — concealing the truth of Chariclea — for he feared lest if she had lost her maidenhood in her flight he would have much ado with her true parents — told briefly what was little hurtful to him, in this fashion.'I had a daughter, O king. How wise she was and withal how fair, only if you had seen her would you believe. She led her life in virginity and was one of Diana's priests at Delphi. This maid this jolly Thessalian stole away from Apollo's temple, having come to Delphi, my native city, as captain of a holy embassy to celebrate a certain feast. Wherefore we may deem that he hath offended also against you, for he hath sinned against your god Apollo, who is one with the Sun and defiled his temple. Furthermore a false priest of Memphis was his companion in doing this shameful and heinous deed. After I had been to Thessaly and required this fellow from the people of Oita, and they were all content that he should be slain wherever he was as a common plague of all their country, not finding him there I went to Memphis, which I deemed to be a place whither Calasiris would go for diverse reasons. When I came there I found him dead, as well he had deserved, and was told by his son Thyamis of all that belonged to my daughter, and how she had been sent to Syene to Oroondates. I went thither too, and not finding Oroondates was taken prisoner at Elephantina, whence at this present I come in humble sort to seek my daughter; and you will do me, unhappy man, a good turn and a deed well beseeming a king, if you will accept the governor's request made on my behalf.' Thereat he held his peace and wept bitterly to confirm what he said.
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§ 10.32 Hydaspes turned to Theagenes and said:'What answer have you to this?' Theagenes replied:'All that he hath laid against me in this accusation is true: as touching him I am the thief, the unjust man, and the robber: yet have I done you a good turn.''Restore then that which is not yours,' said Hydaspes;'you are consecrated to the gods and your death shall be a glorious sacrifice rather than the just punishment for your misdeeds.''Nay,' quoth Theagenes,'not he that did the wrong but he that hath the benefit of it ought to make restitution. Seeing then that you have her, restore her; unless indeed this man also shall acknowledge that Chariclea is your daughter.' Then no man could contain himself and everywhere was confusion. Sisimithres had known a good while all that was being said and done, but he had waited until every thing should be plainly revealed by God. Now he came forward and embracing Charicles said:'Your adopted daughter whom I once delivered to you is safe and found to be the daughter of those whom you yourself well know.'
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§ 10.33 Chariclea also ran out of the tabernacle like a mad woman, without regard to what became her sex and age, and fell at Charicles' knees and said:'O father, no less dear to me that those who begat me, take what revenge you will for my unnatural sin, without any regard to the excuse that some man might allege, that this is all the gods' will and their doing.' Persina on the other side kissed Hydaspes and said:'Husband, be sure that this is so, and know that this young Greek is indeed your daughter's husband, for she has just now at last told me all her tale.' The people on their side rejoiced and danced for gladness, and with one consent exulted in what was done; marry they understood not everything but inferred the truth from what had already befallen Chariclea. Perhaps also they were moved to understand by inspiration of the gods, whose will it was that all this should turn out like a play upon the stage. In truth they made very contrary things agree, sorrow and mirth, tears and laughter: fear and terror were turned into a merry banquet at the end: such as were sorrowful rejoiced, finding what they sought not for, and losing what they hoped to find: to be short, the cruel slaughters that were looked for every moment were turned into holy sacrifices.
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§ 10.34 Then said Hydaspes to Sisimithres:'Right wise man, what must we do? To deny the gods their sacrifice is an impious thing: yet we may not rightly offer those whom the gods themselves have given us. We must bethink ourselves what is best to do.' Thereupon Sisimithres answered, not in Greek but in the Ethiopian tongue that all might understand, thus:'O king, is seems that too great joy blinds the eyes even of the wisest among men. You might have perceived long ago that the gods liked not the sacrifice you prepared them, who have now at the very altars declared that happy Chariclea is your daughter, and brought him who reared her, as of set intent, from the midst of Greece hither. They sent fear and panic too upon the horses and bulls that stood before altars, declaring thereby that the greater sacrifices which were used among our ancestors should cease now and be done no more. And as the end and happy conclusion of this comedy they have revealed not that this young Greek is the maid's husband. Let us therefore take to our hearts the wondrous works that the gods have done, and be helpers of their will, and do only righteous sacrifices to them, and leave the murdering of men and women for ever hereafter.'
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§ 10.39 When Sisimithres had said this loud enough to hear, Hydaspes, who understood also the native tongue, took Theagenes and Chariclea by the hand and said:'Seeing that these things be thus appointed by the will and pleasure of the gods, I think — how seemeth it to you who be here also? — that it is not good to strive against them. Wherefore before them who have preordained this, and before you also who show that you agree, I wish that these two young folks may increase and grow in wedlock and give them leave to rejoice one the other, that they may engender and have children. And if you shall think it good, let this decree be confirmed with sacrifice, and let us fall now to worshipping of the gods.' The army consented thereto and with clapping of their hands gave a sign that they were contented with the match.
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§ 10.40 Hydaspes then came to the altars and being ready to begin sacrifice said:'O Sun our lord, and lady Moon, forasmuch as Theagenes and Chariclea are declared man and wife by your good will, you will surely accept their offerings and suffer them to do sacrifice to you.' This said, he took off his own mitre and Persina's, which were the signs of their priesthood, and set one which was his own upon Theagenes' head and the other that was Persina's upon the head of Chariclea. When this was done Charicles remembered the oracle's answer at Delphi, and saw that now that was fulfilled indeed which was promised before by the gods. Which was that after they fled from Delphi they should come at length to country scorched. With burning Phoebus beams. Where they as recompenses due That virtues rare do gain In time to come ere it be long, White mitres shall obtain.
urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0658.tlg001:10.38
§ 10.38 Thus after they had put on these white mitres and were made priests by the voice and judgment of Hydaspes and had duly done sacrifice, they rode away in chariots drawn by horses, Hydaspes and Theagenes in one, Sisimithres and Charicles in another, and Persina with Chariclea in the third drawn by two white oxen, with great joy and burning torches and melody of instruments of music. And so they came to Meroe that the secreter affairs of wedlock might be accomplished with greater pomp in that city. Here endeth the Ethiopian History of Theagenes and Chariclea the author whereof is a Phoenician man, Heliodorus the Emesene, son of Theodosius, of the lineage of the Sun.

Via ToposText (topostext.org), a project of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation created by Brady Kiesling. Translated by Thomas Underdowne (1587), with Frederick Adam Wright (1869-1946). Composed ca. 280 CE. Licence: Used by permission. Source.