Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/60

 Jupiter, and to be anointed by the son. When this vision had been vouchsafed to her she strove eagerly that her fathet should not set out to Oroetes, and even followed him with words of ill omen while he was embarking on board a swift vessel. Then he threatened ‘that when he had retained in safety she should wait many years without a husband.’ And she prayed ‘that these things might be so, for she preferred to be without a husband than to be deprived of her father.’

159.So Polycrates, despising all advice, sailed to Oroetes, taking with him both many other companions, and also Democedes, a celebrated physician. But when Polycrates had reached Magnesia he perished miserably by a punishment worthy neither of his royal power nor of his talent; for, excepting the tyrants of the Syracusans, not even one of other Grecian tyrants is worthy of being compared in splendour with Polycrate&

160.After slaying him in a disgraceful way, and one not fit to be told, Oroetes fastened him to a cross; but as many of his companions were Samians, these he dismissed, bidding them to be grateful to him that they kept their freedom; but as many as were foreigners or servants, he kept them as slaves. Thus Polycrates, hung from the cross, fulfilled the whole of his daughter’s dream, for he was washed by Jove when it rained, and waa anointed by the sun, emitting moisture ftom his body himself. So the extreme good fortune of Polycrates had this end, just as Amasis, king of Egypt, had predicted to him. But Oroetes was condemned to death not long after by Darius, king of the Persians. In such a way, then, did the avenging curses of Polycrates the Samian pursue Oroetes.  

161.After the private property of Oroetes had been carried to Susa, it happened to King Darius to twist his foot while 