Toxaris; Or, Friendship (41-45)

This event put heart into all the Scythians, and they no longer considered themselves worsted by the Sauromatians, seeing that the enemy had not carried off our greatest good, but that our noble disposition was left to us and our constancy in friendship. And the same thing frightened the Sauromatians extremely, for they calculated what sort of men we would be to fight with when we were prepared if we showed such endurance when we were surprised. So when night came they left most of the

What could you tell to match this, Mnesippos, if I should let you count up ten more in addition to your five, and not on oath, either, so that you might add plenty of inventions? And yet I gave you the bare facts. If you had told a story like this I know very well how much cleverness you would have mixed in your tale, what prayers Dandamis offered, and the manner of blinding him, and what he said and how he went off again, and how the Scythians received him with blessings, and the other devices you are wont to employ on your audience.

But now hear of another man, equally admirable: Belittas, a cousin of this Amizokes. When he saw his friend Basthes dragged from his horse by a lion-they happened to be hunting together —and that the lion had already clutched him and clung to his throat tearing him with his claws, he leaped down from his own horse, fell upon the beast from behind, and dragged him over, diverting his rage to himself. He passed his fingers between the animal's teeth, and tried his best to drag Basthes out of his jaws until the lion let

My third case, Mnesippos, shall be the friendship of Makentes, Lonchates, and Arsakomas. This Arsakomas fell in love with Mazaia, daughter of Leukanor, king of the Bosporians, when he went as an envoy in the matter of the tribute which the Bosporians pay us periodically, and which was then three months overdue. Mazaia was a tall, beautiful girl, and Arsakomas, seeing her at dinner, became enamored and fell into a bad way about her. He had finished the business of the tribute, and the king had given him his answer, and was feasting him by way of dismissal. Now it is the custom on the Bosporos for suitors to propose for girls at dinner, stating the qualifications which render them desirable parties. On this occasion there happened to be a great many aspirants at the dinner, kings and kings' sons, and Tigrapates was there, the monarch of the Lazians, and Adyrmachos, the ruler of Machlyëne, with many others. Each suitor is obliged to announce himself and tell why he has come a-wooing, and then to eat his dinner

In accordance with this custom many had poured out the libation and made their proposals, counting up their kingdoms and riches; and last of all Arsakomas called for a glass, and instead of pouring out a libation-for it is not our practice to pour out our wine, indeed it is held an impiety towards the god - he emptied the glass at a draught, and said: "Your majesty, give me your daughter Mazaia to hold as my wife. I am a better match than these others as far as wealth and possessions go." Leukanor was amazed, for he knew that Arsakomas was poor, and a commoner of the Scythians, and he inquired: "How much cattle have you, Arsakomas, or how many wagons? For these are the things you Scythians are rich in.” "Nay," said Arsakomas, “I have neither wagons nor herds, but I have two friends so noble and brave that no other Scythian can match them." A shout of laughter rose at these words, and no account was taken of his offer, for they thought he was drunk. In the early morning Adyrmachos,