An Egyptian Princess — Volume 09 by Georg Ebers
page 36 of 56 (64%)
page 36 of 56 (64%)
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expenses were reimbursed by a magnificent present, and he was urged to
take a daughter of some noble Persian family in marriage. [Themistocles too, on coming to the Persian court, received a high- born Persian wife in marriage. Diod. XI. 57.] The king concluded by inviting him to supper, but this the Athenian declined, on the plea that he must review the Ionian troops, with whom he was as yet but little acquainted, and withdrew. At the door of his tent he found his slaves disputing with a ragged, dirty and unshaven old man, who insisted on speaking with their master. Fancying he must be a beggar, Phanes threw him a piece of gold; the old man did not even stoop to pick it up, but, holding the Athenian fast by his cloak, cried, "I am Aristomachus the Spartan!" Cruelly as he was altered, Phanes recognized his old friend at once, ordered his feet to be washed and his head anointed, gave him wine and meat to revive his strength, took his rags off and laid a new chiton over his emaciated, but still sinewy, frame. Aristomachus received all in silence; and when the food and wine had given him strength to speak, began the following answer to Phanes' eager questions. On the murder of Phanes' son by Psamtik, he had declared his intention of leaving Egypt and inducing the troops under his command to do the same, unless his friend's little daughter were at once set free, and a satisfactory explanation given for the sudden disappearance of the boy. Psamtik promised to consider the matter. Two days later, as Aristomachus |
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