Page:History of Greece Vol V.djvu/33

 DRbAMa OF XERXES. 9 Artabanus obeys this order (for it was high treason in any Persian to sit upon the regal throne '), but he at length complies, expecting to be able to prove to Xerxes that the dream deserved no attention. " Many dreams (he says) are not of divine origin, nor anything better than mere wandering objects such as we have been thinking upon during the day : this dream, of whatever nature it may be, will not be foolish enough to mistake me for the king, even if I be in the royal attire and bed ; but if it shall still continue to appear to thee, I shall myself confess it to be divine." - Accordingly, Artabanus is placed in the regal throne and bed, and, as soon as he falls asleep, the very same figure shows itself to him also, saying, " Art thou he who dissuadest Xerxes, on the plea of sohcitude for his safety, from marching against Greece? Xerxes has already been forewarned of that which he will suffer if he disobeys, and thou too shall not escape, either now or in future, for seeking to avert that which must and shall be." With these words the vision assumes a threatening attitude, as though preparing to burn out the eyes of Artabanus with hot irons, when the sleeper awakes in terror, and runs to communicate with Xerxes. " I have hitherto, O king, recom- mended to thee to rest contented with that vast actual empire on account of which all mankind think thee happy ; but since the divine impulsion is now apparent, and since destruction from on high is prepared for the Greeks, I too alter my opinion, and advise thee to command the Persians as God directs ; so that nothing may be found wanting on thy part for that which God puts into thy hands." 3 iari yeve<y&at aTpaT7j7.aa'i7}v enl ttjv 'YLXkada, knimfjaeTai, kol gol ruvTb TOVTo ovetpov, dfioiug kqI ifzol evreX^ofievov. 'EvpiaKu 6e ude uv yivoueva ravra, ei Aafioi^ rfjv kfiTjv CKCvyv miaav, Kol ivdiig, /xetu Tavra I^olo kg rdv kfibv -Qpovov, koI eneiTa ev ko'lttj t^ kfi^ KarvavuaEiac. Compare vii, 8 ^eoc re ovru uyei, etc. ' See Brissonius, De Eegno Persarum, lib. i, p. 27. ' Herodot. vii, 16. Ov yap 6r] kg tooovto ye EiTj-QeiTjc av^KEi tovto, oti tJ^ KOTE kart 70 kTVL^aivofiEvav tol kv tu vtvvo), wore do^Ei kfie opuv ae 6p^v, Ty ay ka^7}rt T£K/j.aip6fiEvov eI yup 6^ kiTKioir^aEiE ye cTWExeug, (paiTjv av KatavTog d^Eiov tlvai. ' Herodot. vii, 18. 'Ette? 6e daifioviri Tig yiyverai opfi/j, Kal 'EXXtjvac, uc IniKE, (pi^opf/ Tig KaraXafiiidvEi -dErjlarog, kyd /iiv Kat airbg rpanofiat, Kal 1*