Page:Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners.djvu/86

78 KEY TO EASY LATIN STORIES. [part iv. of Abydos had made beforehand by order of the king. So, sitting there, he looked upon both the land forces and the ships; and while beholding the latter there came on him a desire to see a naval engagement. And when this spectacle, in which the Phoenicians were victorious, was exhibited for him he was delighted both with the contest and the army. But beholding the Hellespont covered with his ships, and the whole shore covered with human beings, Xerxes said that he was a happy man, but not long afterwards he burst into tears; for he said ‘that he was reflecting how short the life of man was, since of those men, so numerous, not one was likely to survive to his hundredth year.’ 227.And on that day, indeed, they began to make preparations for the crossing; but on the next day they waited for the sun, wishing to see it while rising, both burning perfumes of every kind on the bridges, and strewing the road with myrtles. When the sun was rising Xerxes poured wine into the sea from a golden saucer, and, turning to the sun, prayed that no accident might happen to him which might compel him to desist from conquering Europe before arriving at its furthest boimdaries. When the prayers were finished he threw the saucer into the Hellespont, and at the same time a golden bowl, and a Persian sword which they call a scimitar. Now I cannot say for certain whether he threw these things into the sea in honour of the sun, or whether he offered them to the sea, induced by regret because he had ordered the Hellespont to be beaten with whips. When these things were finished the troops crossed the Hellespont.

228.Over one of the bridges there crossed over the infantry and all the cavalry, but over the other the beasts of burden with the baggage and a crowd of attendants. First went 10,000 of the Persians, all with crowns, whom an army made up of various nations followed. These (crossed) on the first day. Next day, first the cavaliy and those who carried