Page:History of Charles Jones, the footman (3).pdf/22

 22 Croesus was no astonished at this than at the first answer, and began to think Solon was not perfectly right in his senses. “Well, continued Croesus, who is the next happy man to Tellus?”—“There were formerly, replied Solon, two brothers, the one named Cleobis, and the other Biton. They were so robust, that they always obtained the prize in every sort of combat, and perfectly loved each other. One feast day, when the priestess of Juno, their mother, for whom they had the most tender affection, was to go to the temple to sacrifice, the oxen that were to draw her thither did not come in time, Cleobis and Biton hereupon fastened themselves to her carriage, and in that manner drew her to the temple. All the matrons in raptures congratulated their mother on having brought two such sons into the world. Their mother, penetrated with emotions of the strongest joy and gratitude, fervently prayed the goddess, that she would bestow on her sons the best gift she had to confer on mortals. Her prayers were heard; for, after the sacrifice, the two sons fell asleep in the temple, and never afterwards awoke. Thus they finished their lives by a tranquil and peaceful death.” Croesus could no longer conceal his rage “What then, said he, do you not even place me among the number of happy people?”—“ C king of the Lydians, replied Solon, you possess great riches, and are master of a great multitude of people; but life is liable to so many changes that we cannot presume to decide on the felicity of any man, until he has finished his mortal career.´