Page:Ancient India as described by Megasthenês and Arrian.djvu/135

 116 gjmnosopbists, a desire seized him to have one of these men brought into his presence, because he admired their endurance. The eldest of these sophists, with whom the others lived as disciples ^th a master, Dandamis by name, not only re- fased to go himself, but prevented the others going. He is said to have returned this for answer, that he also was the son of Zeus as much as Alexander himself was, and that he wanted nothing that was Alexander's (for he was well off in his present circumstances), whereas he saw those who were with him wandering over so much sea and land for no good got bj it, and without any end coming to their many wander-. ings. He coveted, therefore, nothing Alexander had it in his power to give, nor, on the other hand, feared aught he could do to coerce him : for if he lived, India would suffice for him, yield- ing him her fruits in due season, and if he died, he would be delivered from his ill-assorted com- panion the body. Alexander accordingly did not put forth his hand to violence, knowing the man to be of an independent spirit. He is said, however, to have won over Kalanos, one of the sophists of that place, whom MegasthenSs re- presents as a man utterly wanting in self-control, while the sophists themselves spoke opprobriously of Kalanos, because that, having left the happiness enjoyed among them, he went to serve another master than God. Digitized by Google