Part 26 (1/2)
”Yes, yes, my pugnacity costs me very dear sometimes. But to our story. As soon as Bartja had opened his eyes, Gyges sent me off to Sardis to fetch a good physician and an easy travelling-carriage. That ride won't so soon be imitated. An hour before I reached the gates my third horse knocked up under me, so I had to trust to my own legs, and began running as fast as I could. The people must all have thought me mad. At last I saw a man on horseback-a merchant from Kelaenze-dragged him from his horse, jumped into the saddle, and, before the next morning dawned, I was back again with our invalid, bringing the best physician in Sardis, and Oroetes' most commodious travelling-carriage. We brought him to this house at a slow footpace, and here a violent fever came on, he became delirious, talked all the nonsense that could possibly come into a human brain, and made us so awfully anxious, that the mere remembrance of that time brings the big drops of perspiration to my forehead.”
Bartja took his friend's hand: ”I owe my life to him and Gyges,” said he, turning to Darius. ”Till to-day, when they set out to meet you, they have never left me for a minute; a mother could not have nursed her sick child more carefully. And Oroetes, I am much obliged to you too; doubly so because your kindness subjected you to annoyance.”
”How could that be?” asked Darius.
”That Polykrates of Samos, whose name we heard so often in Egypt, has the best physician that Greece has ever produced. While I was lying here ill, Oroetes wrote to this Democedes, making him immense promises, if he would only come to Sardis directly. The Sainian pirates, who infest the whole Ionian coast, took the messenger captive and brought Oroetes' letter to their master Polykrates. He opened it, and sent the messenger back with the answer, that Democedes was in his pay, and that if Oroetes needed his advice he must apply to Polykrates himself. Our generous friend submitted for my sake, and asked the Samian to send his physician to Sardis.”
”Well,” said Prexaspes, ”and what followed?”
”The proud island-prince sent him at once. He cured me, as you see, and left us a few days ago loaded with presents.”
”Well,” interrupted Zopyrus, ”I can quite understand, that Polykrates likes to keep his physician near him. I a.s.sure you, Darius, it would not be easy to find his equal. He's as handsome as Minutscher, as clever as Piran Wisa, as strong as Rustem, and as benevolent and helpful as the G.o.d Soma. I wish you could have seen how well he threw those round metal plates he calls discs. I am no weakling, but when we wrestled he soon threw me. And then he could tell such famous stories-stories that made a man's heart dance within him.”
[This very Oroetes afterwards succeeded in enticing Polykrates to Sardis and there crucified him. Herod. III. 120-125. Valerius Maximus VI. 9. 5.]
”We know just such a fellow too,” said Darius, smiling at his friend's enthusiasm. ”That Athenian Phanes, who came to prove our innocence.”
”The physician Democedes is from Crotona, a place which must be somewhere very near the setting sun.”
”But is inhabited by Greeks, like Athens.” added Oroetes. ”Ah, my young friends, you must beware of those fellows; they're as cunning, deceitful, and selfish, as they are strong, clever, and handsome.”
”Democedes is generous and sincere,” cried Zopyrus.
”And Croesus himself thinks Phanes not only an able, but a virtuous man,” added Darius.
”Sappho too has always, and only spoken well of the Athenian,” said Bartja, in confirmation of Darius's remark. ”But don't let us talk any more about these Greeks,” he went on. ”They give Oroetes so much trouble by their refractory and stubborn conduct, that he is not very fond of them.”
”The G.o.ds know that,” sighed the satrap. ”It's more difficult to keep one Greek town in order, than all the countries between the Euphrates and the Tigris.”
While Oroetes was speaking, Zopyrus had gone to the window. ”The stars are already high in the heavens,” he said, ”and Bartja is tired; so make haste, Darius, and tell us something about home.”
The son of Hystaspes agreed at once, and began by relating the events which we have heard already. Bartja, especially, was distressed at hearing of Nitetis' sad end, and the discovery of Amasis' fraud filled them all with astonishment. After a short pause, Darius went on: ”When once Nitetis' descent had been fully proved, Cambyses was like a changed man. He called a council of war, and appeared at table in the royal robes instead of his mourning garments. You can fancy what universal joy the idea of a war with Egypt excited. Even Croesus, who you know is one of Amasis' well-wishers, and advises peace whenever it is possible, had not a word to say against it. The next morning, as usual, what had been resolved on in intoxication was reconsidered by sober heads; after several opinions had been given, Phanes asked permission to speak, and spoke I should think for an hour. But how well! It was as if every word he said came direct from the G.o.ds. He has learnt our language in a wonderfully short time, but it flowed from his lips like honey. Sometimes he drew tears from every eye, at others excited stormy shouts of joy, and then wild bursts of rage. His gestures were as graceful as those of a dancing-girl, but at the same time manly and dignified. I can't repeat his speech; my poor words, by the side of his, would sound like the rattle of a drum after a peal of thunder. But when at last, inspired and carried away by his eloquence, we had unanimously decided on war, he began to speak once more on the best ways and means of prosecuting it successfully.”
Here Darius was obliged to stop, as Zopyrus had fallen on his neck in an ecstasy of delight. Bartja, Gyges and Oroetes were not less delighted, and they all begged him to go on with his tale.
”Our army,” began Darius afresh, ”ought to be at the boundaries of Egypt by the month Farwardin, (March) as the inundation of the Nile, which would hinder the march of our infantry, begins in Murdad (July). Phanes is now on his way to the Arabians to secure their a.s.sistance; in hopes that these sons of the desert may furnish our army with water and guides through their dry and thirsty land. He will also endeavor to win the rich island of Cyprus, which he once conquered for Amasis, over to our side. As it was through his mediation that the kings of the island were allowed to retain their crowns, they will be willing to listen to his advice. In short the Athenian leaves nothing uncared for, and knows every road and path as if he were the sun himself He showed us a picture of the world on a plate of copper.”
Oroetes nodded and said, ”I have such a picture of the world too. A Milesian named Hekataeus, who spends his life in travelling, drew it, and gave it me in exchange for a free-pa.s.s.”
[Hekataeus of Miletus maybe called ”the father of geography,” as Herodotus was ”the father of history.” He improved the map made by Anaximander, and his great work, ”the journey round the world,” was much prized by the ancients; but unfortunately, with the exception of some very small fragments, has now perished. Herodotus a.s.sures us, (V. 36.) that Hekataeus was intimately acquainted with every part of the Persian empire, and had also travelled over Egypt. he lived at the date of our narrative, having been born at Miletus 550 B. C. He lived to see the fall of his native city in 4966 B. C.
His map has been restored by Klausen and can be seen also in Mure's Lan. and Lit. of Ancient Greece. Vol. IV. Maps existed, however, much earlier, the earliest known being one of the gold-mines, drawn very cleverly by an Egyptian priest, and so well sketched as to give a pretty clear idea of the part of the country intended. It is preserved in the Egyptian Museum at Turin.]
”What notions these Greeks have in their heads!” exclaimed Zopyrus, who could not explain to himself what a picture of the world could look like.
”To-morrow I will show you my copper tablet, said Oroetes, but now we must allow Darius to go on.”
”So Phanes has gone to Arabia,” continued Darius, ”and Prexaspes was sent hither not only to command you, Oroetes, to raise as many forces as possible, especially Ionians and Carians, of whom Phanes has offered to undertake the command, but also to propose terms of alliance to Polykrates.”
”To that pirate!” asked Oroetes, and his face darkened.
”The very same,” answered Prexaspes, not appearing to notice the change in Oroetes' face. ”Phanes has already received a.s.surances from this important naval power, which sound as if we might expect a favorable answer to my proposal.”
”The Phoenician, Syrian and Ionian s.h.i.+ps of war would be quite sufficient to cope with the Egyptian fleet.”
”There you are right; but if Polykrates were to declare against us, we should not be able to hold our own at sea; you say yourself that he is all-powerful in the AEgean.”
”Still I decidedly disapprove of entering into treaty with such a robber.”
”We want powerful allies, and Polykrates is very powerful at sea. It will be time to humble him, when we have used him to help us in conquering Egypt. For the present I entreat you to suppress all personal feeling, and keep the success of our great plan alone in view. I am empowered to say this in the king's name, and to show his ring in token thereof.”
Oroetes made a brief obeisance before this symbol of despotism, and asked: ”What does Cambyses wish me to do?”
”He commands you to use every means in your power to secure an alliance with the Samian; and also to send your troops to join the main army on the plains of Babylon as soon as possible.”
The satrap bowed and left the room with a look betraying irritation and defiance.
When the echo of his footsteps had died away among the colonnades of the inner court, Zopyrus exclaimed: ”Poor fellow, it's really very hard for him to have to meet that proud man, who has so often behaved insolently to him, on friendly terms. Think of that story about the physician for instance.”
”You are too lenient,” interrupted Darius. ”I don't like this Oroetes. He has no right to receive the king's commands in that way. Didn't you see him bite his lips till they bled, when Prexaspes showed him the king's ring?”
”Yes,” cried the envoy, ”he's a defiant, perverse man. He left the room so quickly, only because he could not keep down his anger any longer.”
”Still,” said Bartja, ”I hope you will keep his conduct a secret from my brother, for he has been very good to me.”
Prexaspes bowed, but Darius said: ”We must keep an eye on the fellow. Just here, so far from the king's gate and in the midst of nations hostile to Persia, we want governors who are more ready to obey their king than this Oroetes seems to be. Why, he seems to fancy he is King of Lydia!”
”Do you dislike the satrap?” said Zopyrus.
”Well, I think I do,” was the answer. ”I always take an aversion or a fancy to people at first sight, and very seldom find reason to change my mind afterwards. I disliked Oroetes before I heard him speak a word, and I remember having the same feeling towards Psamtik, though Amasis took my fancy.”
”There's no doubt that you're very different from the rest of us,” said Zopyrus laughing, ”but now, to please me, let this poor Oroetes alone. I'm glad he's gone though, because we can talk more freely about home. How is Ka.s.sandane? and your wors.h.i.+pped Atossa? Croesus too, how is he? and what are my wives about? They'll soon have a new companion. To-morrow I intend to sue for the hand of Oroetes' pretty daughter. We've talked a good deal of love with our eyes already. I don't know whether we spoke Persian or Syrian, but we said the most charming things to one another.”
The friends laughed, and Darius, joining in their merriment, said: ”Now you shall hear a piece of very good news. I have kept it to the last, because it is the best I have. Now, Bartja, p.r.i.c.k up your ears. Your mother, the n.o.ble Ka.s.sandane, has been cured of her blindness! Yes, yes, it is quite true.-Who cured her? Why who should it be, but that crabbed old Nebenchari, who has become, if possible, moodier than ever. Come, now, calm yourselves, and let me go on with my story; or it will be morning before Bartja gets to sleep. Indeed. I think we had better separate now: you've heard the best, and have something to dream about What, you will not? Then, in the name of Mithras, I must go on, though it should make my heart bleed.
”I'll begin with the king. As long as Phanes was in Babylon, he seemed to forget his grief for Nitetis.
”The Athenian was never allowed to leave him. They were as inseparable as Reksch and Rustem. Cambyses had no time to think of his sorrow, for Phanes had always some new idea or other, and entertained us all, as well as the king, marvellously. And we all liked him too; perhaps, because no one could really envy him. Whenever he was alone, the tears came into his eyes at the thought of his boy, and this made his great cheerfulness-a cheerfulness which he always managed to impart to the king, Bartja,-the more admirable. Every morning he went down to the Euphrates with Cambyses and the rest of us, and enjoyed watching the sons of the Achaemenidae at their exercises. When he saw them riding at full speed past the sand-hills and shooting the pots placed on them into fragments with their arrows, or throwing blocks of wood at one another and cleverly evading the blows, he confessed that he could not imitate them in these exercises, but at the same time he offered to accept a challenge from any of us in throwing the spear and in wrestling. In his quick way he sprang from his horse, stripped off his clothes-it was really a shame-and, to the delight of the boys, threw their wrestling-master as if he had been a feather.
[In the East, nudity was, even in those days, held to be disgraceful, while the Greeks thought nothing so beautiful as the naked human body. The Hetaira Phryne was summoned before the judges for an offence against religion. Her defender, seeing that sentence was about to be p.r.o.nounced against his client, suddenly tore away the garment which covered her bosom. The artifice was successful.
The judges p.r.o.nounced her not guilty, being convinced that such wondrous grace and beauty could only belong to a favorite of Aphrodite. Athen. XIII. p. 590]
”Then he knocked over a number of bragging fellows, and would have thrown me too if he had not been too fatigued. I a.s.sure you, I am really stronger than he is, for I can lift greater weights, but he is as nimble as an eel, and has wonderful tricks by which he gets hold of his adversary. His being naked too is a great help. If it were not so indecent, we ought always to wrestle stripped, and anoint our skins, as the Greeks do, with the olive-oil. He beat us too in throwing the spear, but the king, who you know is proud of being the best archer in Persia, sent his arrow farther. Phanes was especially pleased with our rule, that in a wrestling-match the one who is thrown must kiss the hand of his victor. At last he showed us a new exercise:-boxing. He refused, however, to try his skill on any one but a slave, so Cambyses sent for the biggest and strongest man among the servants-my groom, Bessus-a giant who can bring the hind legs of a horse together and hold them so firmly that the creature trembles all over and cannot stir. This big fellow, taller by a head than Phanes, shrugged his shoulders contemptuously on hearing that he was to box with the little foreign gentleman. He felt quite sure of victory, placed himself opposite his adversary, and dealt him a blow heavy enough to kill an elephant. Phanes avoided it cleverly, in the same moment hitting the giant with his naked fist so powerfully under the eyes, that the blood streamed from his nose and mouth, and the huge, uncouth fellow fell on the ground with a yell. When they picked him up his face looked like a pumpkin of a greenish-blue color. The boys shouted with delight at his discomfiture; but we admired the dexterity of this Greek, and were especially glad to see the king in such good spirits; we noticed this most when Phanes was singing Greek songs and dance-melodies to him accompanied by the lute.