Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/20

 43.Shall we not admire Theodonis of Cyrene, (that) celebrated philosopher? To King Lysimachos (when) threatening (him with) the gallows, he remarked, ‘Threaten these cruelties to those nobles of yours: these things do not concern Theodorus: to rot on the ground or in the air is the same thing.’

44.The Romans sent ambassadors to Carthage. One of these, showing the fold of his dress, said as follows: ‘I have in this fold peace and war: do you prefer peace or war?’ The Carthaginians replied: ‘We will accept whichever you please.’Then said the Roman, ‘I give you war.’ In reply, the Carthaginians (said), ‘We accept war willingly.’

45.Some one once said to a Spartan, ‘Why has not Sparta walls?’ In reply, the Spartan said, ‘Do not lie, my good friend; our city has the best of walls(namely) the courage of its inhabitants.’

46.Phocion the Athenian was a poor man. Once when a hundred talents had been sent to him by Alexander, king of the Macedonians, he said, ‘Why dost thou wish to give me so much money?’ The ambassador replied, ‘Alexander thinks you the only good man of all the Athenians.’ Then Phocion remarked, ‘Take away the money; I prefer to be good.’

47.Croesus, king of Lydea, had a son of remarkable beauty and excellent understanding; but he was unable to speak. The physicians had used every contrivance, yet were not able to effect anything. When Sardis was taken by Cyrus, a certain soldier rushed at Croesus with drawn sword. Then the boy, moved by love, endeavoured with all his might to speak. At