Page:The Percy Anecdotes - 1868 - Volume 2.djvu/110

 to his care, with strict injunctions to behave towards her as he would to the wife of a brother. In a short time, however, Panthea found that her charms had made such an impression on Araspes, as rendered it no longer safe to remain under his guardianship. She made the danger of her situation known to Cyrus, who immediately removed Araspes, and placed her in safer hands. Panthea, grateful for this conduct of the conqueror, and admiring his many excellent qualifications, endeavoured to gain her husband Abradatas over to his side. She knew there was no cordiality between him and the King of Assyria, and that he wished nothing more earnestly than an opportunity to quit his service. Abradatas was overcome by her solicitations, and went over to Cyrus with two thousand horse. Panthea informed her husband of the virtuous and honourable conduct which Cyrus had himself observed, and made others observe towards her. 'What can I do, Panthea,' said Abradatas, 'to show my gratitude to Cyrus?' 'What else,' said she, 'but to behave towards him as he has behaved towards you?' On this Abradatas going to Cyrus, and taking him by the hand, said, 'O Cyrus! in return for the benefits you have bestowed upon us, I give myself to you an ally, a servant, and a friend.'

From that time Cyrus had no ally more attached to his interest than Abradatas. The morning of the day on which Cyrus overthrew Crœsus, Panthea brought to her husband, preparing him for battle, a golden helmet, bracelets for his wrists, a purple robe, and a crest of a violet colour. These things having been prepared without his knowledge, he said to her, 'Have you made me these, Panthea, by destroying your ornaments?' 'No, surely,' said she, 'not by destroying what is the most valuable of them; for you are my greatest ornament.' Proceeding to put on the armour, tears trickled down her cheeks, though she endeavoured to restrain them. Abradatas, in this dress, appeared most beautiful and noble. Panthea, after desiring all that were present! to retire, spoke as follows: 'O, Abradatas! if ever there were a woman who regarded her husband more than her own soul, you know I that I am she. And yet, though I stand thus affected toward you, I swear by our mutual friendship, that rather would I be put underground with you, approving yourself a brave man, than live with you in disregard and shame. We both lie under great obligations to Cyrus, that when I was a captive, and chosen for himself, he kept me for you, as if I was his brother's wife.' Abradatas struck with admiration at her discourse, gently took her hand into his, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, made the following prayer: 'O, great Jupiter! grant me to appear a husband worthy of Panthea, and a friend worthy of Cyrus.' Having said this, he mounted his chariot and moved along. Panthea could not help following, till Abradatas seeing her, said, 'Have courage, Panthea, the gods take care of the virtuous.' And on this she was conducted to her tent. Although Abradatas in his chariot made a noble appearance, he attracted no eyes till Panthea was gone.

The victory that day was complete; Cyrus routed his enemies, and got possession of their camp. Toward the evening, when the battle was over, Cyrus calling some of his servants, enquired whether any of them had seen Abradatas; but Abradatas was now no more; he was slain in breaking in upon the Egyptians; and Cyrus was informed, that Panthea had retired with the dead body to the bank of the river Pactolus; that her servants were digging a grave for it; and that she herself was sitting on the ground with the head of her dead husband upon her knees.

Cyrus hearing this, smote his breast, and hastened to Panthea. Seeing Abradatas lying dead, he shed tears, and said, 'Alas, thou brave and faithful soul I hast thou left us, and art no more?' At the same time he took him by the right hand, which came away, for it had been cut off in battle. The woman, smothering her grief, took the hand from Cyrus, kissed it, joined it to the body, and said, 'The rest, Cyrus, is in the same condition. But why should you look upon this mangled body? for you are not less affected than I am. Fool that I was I frequently did I exhort him to show his friendship for you; and I know he never thought of what he himself might suffer, but of what he should do to gain your favour. He died, therefore, without reproach; and I, who urged him on, sit here alive.' Cyrus shedding tears, spoke thus: 'He has died, O woman! but his death has been glorious, for he has vanquished his enemies. Honours shall be paid him suiting a conqueror. A lofty monument shall be erected for him: and all the sacrifices shall be made that are due to the memory of a brave man.' Having said this, he went away, with great concern for the woman who had lost such a husband; sorrowing also for the man who had left such a wife behind him, never to see her more.

Panthea ordered her eunuchs to retire, 'till such time,' said she, 'as I have lamented over my husband.' She retained only one faithful female attendant, and commanded, that when dead, she should be wrapped in the same mantle with her husband. The servant, after repeated remonstrances, finding her entreaties unsuccessful, broke into a flood of tears. Panthea, being provided with a sword, fell upon it and died. The maid-servant setting up a most lamentable cry, covered the bodies as she had been directed. Cyrus, informed of this melancholy scene, hastened to the place, and poured forth a flood of unavailing lamentations over the hapless pair. Their funeral rites were performed in the most solemn manner; and a lofty monument erected, to preserve to future ages this bright example of conjugal virtue and attachment.

Among the persons who were accused of being accomplices in the assassination of the Emperor Albert by John of Swabia, was the