CHAPTER V.
Before the sun had reached his mid-day height, the news of what hadhappened and of what was still to happen had filled all Babylon. Thestreets swarmed with people, waiting impatiently to see the strangespectacle which the punishment of one of the king's wives, who hadproved false and faithless, promised to afford. The whip-bearers wereforced to use all their authority to keep this gaping crowd in order.Later on in the day the news that Bartja and his friends were soon to beexecuted arrived among the crowd; they were under the influence of thepalm-wine, which was liberally distributed on the king's birthday andthe following days, and could not control their excited feelings; butthese now took quite another form.
Bands of drunken men paraded the streets, crying: "Bartja, the good sonof Cyrus, is to be executed!" The women heard these words in their quietapartments, eluded their keepers, forgot their veils, and rushing forthinto the streets, followed the excited and indignant men with cries andyells. Their pleasure in the thought of seeing a more fortunate sisterhumbled, vanished at the painful news that their beloved prince wascondemned to death. Men, women and children raged, stormed and cursed,exciting one another to louder and louder bursts of indignation. Theworkshops were emptied, the merchants closed their warehouses, and theschool-boys and servants, who had a week's holiday on occasion of theking's birthday, used their freedom to scream louder than any one else,and often to groan and yell without in the least knowing why.
At last the tumult was so great that the whip-bearers were insufficientto cope with it, and a detachment of the body-guard was sent to patrolthe streets. At the sight of their shining armor and long lances, thecrowd retired into the side streets, only, however, to reassemble infresh numbers when the troops were out of sight.
At the gate, called the Bel gate, which led to the great westernhigh-road, the throng was thicker than at any other point, for it wassaid that through this gate, the one by which she had entered Babylon,the Egyptian Princess was to be led out of the city in shame anddisgrace. For this reason a larger number of whipbearers were stationedhere, in order to make way for travellers entering the city. Veryfew people indeed left the city at all on this day, for curiosity wasstronger than either business or pleasure; those, on the other hand,who arrived from the country, took up their stations near the gate onhearing what had drawn the crowd thither.
It was nearly mid-day, and only wanted a few hours to the time fixed forNitetis' disgrace, when a caravan approached the gate with great speed.The first carriage was a so-called harmamaxa, drawn by four horsesdecked out with bells and tassels; a two-wheeled cart followed, and lastin the train was a baggage-wagon drawn by mules. A fine, handsome man ofabout fifty, dressed as a Persian courtier, and another, much older, inlong white robes, occupied the first carriage. The cart was filled by anumber of slaves in simple blouses, and broad-brimmed felt hats,wearing the hair cut close to the head. An old man, dressed as a Persianservant, rode by the side of the cart. The driver of the first carriagehad great difficulty in making way for his gaily-ornamented horsesthrough the crowd; he was obliged to come to a halt before the gate andcall some whip-bearers to his assistance. "Make way for us!" he cried tothe captain of the police who came up with some of his men; "the royalpost has no time to lose, and I am driving some one, who will make yourepent every minute's delay."
"Softly, my son," answered the official. "Don't you see that it's easierto-day to get out of Babylon, than to come in? Whom are you driving?"
"A nobleman, with a passport from the king. Come, be quick and make wayfor us."
"I don't know about that; your caravan does not look much like royalty."
"What have you to do with that? The pass.... "
"I must see it, before I let you into the city." These words were halfmeant for the traveller, whom he was scrutinizing very suspiciously.
While the man in the Persian dress was feeling in his sleeve for thepassport, the whip-bearer turned to some comrades who had just come up,and pointed out the scanty retinue of the travellers, saying: "Didyou ever see such a queer cavalcade? There's something odd about thesestrangers, as sure as my name's Giv. Why, the lowest of the king'scarpet-bearers travels with four times as many people, and yet this manhas a royal pass and is dressed like one of those who sit at the royaltable."
At this moment the suspected traveller handed him a little silken rollscented with musk, sealed with the royal seal, and containing the king'sown handwriting.
The whip-bearer took it and examined the seal. "It is all in order," hemurmured, and then began to study the characters. But no sooner hadhe deciphered the first letters than he looked even more sharply thanbefore at the traveller, and seized the horses' bridles, crying out:"Here, men, form a guard round the carriage! this is an impostor."
When he had convinced himself that escape was impossible, he went up tothe stranger again and said: "You are using a pass which does not belongto you. Gyges, the son of Croesus, the man you give yourself out for,is in prison and is to be executed to-day. You are not in the least likehim, and you will have reason to repent leaving tried to pass for him.Get out of your carriage and follow me."
The traveller, however, instead of obeying, began to speak in brokenPersian, and begged the officer rather to take a seat by him in thecarriage, for that he had very important news to communicate. The manhesitated a moment; but on seeing a fresh band of whip-bearers come up,he nodded to them to stand before the impatient, chafing horses, and gotinto the carriage.
The stranger looked at him with a smile and said: "Now, do I look likean impostor?"
"No; your language proves that you are not a Persian, but yet you looklike a nobleman."
"I am a Greek, and have come hither to render Cambyses an importantservice. Gyges is my friend, and lent me his passport when he was inEgypt, in case I should ever come to Persia. I am prepared to vindicatemy conduct before the king, and have no reason for fear. On thecontrary, the news I bring gives me reason to expect much from hisfavor. Let me be taken to Croesus, if this is your duty; he will besurety for me, and will send back your men, of whom you seem to stand ingreat need to-day. Distribute these gold pieces among them, and tellme without further delay what my poor friend Gyges has done to deservedeath, and what is the reason of all this crowd and confusion."
The stranger said this in bad Persian, but there lay so much dignity andconfidence in his tone, and his gifts were on such a large scale, thatthe cringing and creeping servant of despotism felt sure he must besitting opposite to a prince, crossed his arms reverentially, and,excusing himself from his many pressing affairs, began to relaterapidly. He had been on duty in the great hall during the examinationof the prisoners the night before, and could therefore tell all that hadhappened with tolerable accuracy. The Greek followed his tale eagerly,with many an incredulous shake of his handsome head, however, when thedaughter of Amasis and the son of Cyrus were spoken of as havingbeen disloyal and false, that sentence of death had been pronounced,especially on Croesus, distressed him visibly, but the sadness soonvanished from his quickly-changing features, and gave place to thought;this in its turn was quickly followed by a joyful look, which couldonly betoken that the thinker had arrived at a satisfactory result. Hisdignified gravity vanished in a moment; he laughed aloud, struck hisforehead merrily, seized the hand of the astonished captain, and said:
"Should you be glad, if Bartja could be saved?"
"More than I can say."
"Very well, then I will vouch for it, that you shall receive at leasttwo talents, if you can procure me an interview with the king before thefirst execution has taken place."
"How can you ask such a thing of me, a poor captain?..."
"Yes, you must, you must!"
"I cannot."
"I know well that it is very difficult, almost impossible, for astranger to obtain an audience of your king; but my errand brooks nodelay, for I can prove that Bartja and his friends are not guilty.Do you hear? I can prove it. Do you think now, you can procure meadmittance
?"
"How is it possible?"
"Don't ask, but act. Didn't you say Darius was one of the condemned?"
"Yes."
"I have heard, that his father is a man of very high rank."
"He is the first in the kingdom, after the sons of Cyrus."
"Then take me to him at once. He will welcome me when he hears I am ableto save his son."
"Stranger, you are a wonderful being. You speak with so much confidencethat..."
"That you feel you may believe me. Make haste then, and call some ofyour men to make way for us, and escort us to the palace."
There is nothing, except a doubt, which runs more quickly from mind tomind, than a hope that some cherished wish may be fulfilled, especiallywhen this hope has been suggested to us by some one we can trust.
The officer believed this strange traveller, jumped out of the carriage,flourishing his scourge and calling to his men: "This nobleman has comeon purpose to prove Bartja's innocence, and must be taken to the king atonce. Follow me, my friends, and make way for him!"
Just at that moment a troop of the guards appeared in sight. The captainof the whip-bearers went up to their commander, and, seconded by theshouts of the crowd, begged him to escort the stranger to the palace.
During this colloquy the traveller had mounted his servant's horse, andnow followed in the wake of the Persians.
The good news flew like wind through the huge city. As the ridersproceeded, the crowd fell back more willingly, and loader and fullergrew the shouts of joy until at last their march was like a triumphalprocession.
In a few minutes they drew up before the palace; but before the brazengates had opened to admit them, another train came slowly into sight. Atthe head rode a grey-headed old man; his robes were brown, and rent, intoken of mourning, the mane and tail of his horse had been shorn off andthe creature colored blue.--It was Hystaspes, coming to entreat mercyfor his son.
The whip-bearer, delighted at this sight, threw himself down beforethe old man with a cry of joy, and with crossed arms told him whatconfidence the traveller had inspired him with.
Hystaspes beckoned to the stranger; he rode up, bowed gracefully andcourteously to the old man, without dismounting, and confirmed the wordsof the whip bearer. Hystaspes seemed to feel fresh confidence too afterhearing the stranger, for he begged him to follow him into the palaceand to wait outside the door of the royal apartment, while he himself,conducted by the head chamberlain, went in to the king.
When his old kinsman entered, Cambyses was lying on his purple couch,pale as death. A cup-bearer was kneeling on the ground at his feet,trying to collect the broken fragments of a costly Egyptian drinking-cupwhich the king had thrown down impatiently because its contents had notpleased his taste. At some distance stood a circle of court-officials,in whose faces it was easy to read that they were afraid of theirruler's wrath, and preferred keeping as far from him as possible. Thedazzling light and oppressive heat of a Babylonian May day came inthrough the open windows, and not a sound was to be heard in the greatroom, except the whining of a large dog of the Epirote breed, which hadjust received a tremendous kick from Cambyses for venturing to fawn onhis master, and was the only being that ventured to disturb the solemnstillness. Just before Hystaspes was led in by the chamberlain, Cambyseshad sprung up from his couch. This idle repose had become unendurable,he felt suffocated with pain and anger. The dog's howl suggested a newidea to his poor tortured brain, thirsting for forgetfulness.
"We will go out hunting!" he shouted to the poor startled courtiers. Themaster of the hounds, the equerries, and huntsmen hastened to obey hisorders. He called after them, "I shall ride the unbroken horse Reksch;get the falcons ready, let all the dogs out and order every one to come,who can throw a spear. We'll clear the preserves!"
He then threw himself down on his divan again, as if these words hadquite exhausted his powerful frame, and did not see that Hystaspeshad entered, for his sullen gaze was fixed on the motes playing in thesunbeams that glanced through the window.
Hystaspes did not dare to address him; but he stationed himself in thewindow so as to break the stream of motes and thus draw attention tohimself.
At first Cambyses looked angrily at him and his rent garments, and thenasked with a bitter smile; "What do you want?"
"Victory to the king! Your poor servant and uncle has come to entreathis ruler's mercy."
"Then rise and go! You know that I have no mercy for perjurers and falseswearers. 'Tis better to have a dead son than a dishonorable one."
"But if Bartja should not be guilty, and Darius..."
"You dare to question the justice of my sentence?"
"That be far from me. Whatever the king does is good, and cannot begainsaid; but still..."
"Be silent! I will not hear the subject mentioned again. You are to bepitied as a father; but have these last few hours brought me any joy?Old man, I grieve for you, but I have as little power to rescind hispunishment as you to recall his crime."
"But if Bartja really should not be guilty--if the gods..."
"Do you think the gods will come to the help of perjurers anddeceivers?"
"No, my King; but a fresh witness has appeared."
"A fresh witness? Verily, I would gladly give half my kingdom, to beconvinced of the innocence of men so nearly related to me."
"Victory to my lord, the eye of the realm! A Greek is waiting outside,who seems, to judge by his figure and bearing, one of the noblest of hisrace."
The king laughed bitterly: "A Greek! Ah, ha! perhaps some relation toBartja's faithful fair one! What can this stranger know of my familyaffairs? I know these beggarly Ionians well. They are impudent enough tomeddle in everything, and think they can cheat us with their sly tricks.How much have you had to pay for this new witness, uncle? A Greek isas ready with a lie as a Magian with his spells, and I know they'll doanything for gold. I'm really curious to see your witness. Call him in.But if he wants to deceive me, he had better remember that where thehead of a son of Cyrus is about to fall, a Greek head has but verylittle chance." And the king's eyes flashed with anger as he said thesewords. Hystaspes, however, sent for the Greek.
Before he entered, the chamberlains fastened the usual cloth before hismouth, and commanded him to cast himself on the ground before the king.The Greek's bearing, as he approached, under the king's penetratingglance, was calm and noble; he fell on his face, and, according to thePersian custom, kissed the ground.
His agreeable and handsome appearance, and the calm and modest manner inwhich he bore the king's gaze, seemed to make a favorable impression onthe latter; he did not allow him to remain long on the earth, and askedhim in a by no means unfriendly tone: "Who are you?"
"I am a Greek nobleman. My name is Phanes, and Athens is my home. I haveserved ten years as commander of the Greek mercenaries in Egypt, and notingloriously."
"Are you the man, to whose clever generalship the Egyptians wereindebted for their victories in Cyprus?"
"I am."
"What has brought you to Persia?"
"The glory of your name, Cambyses, and the wish to devote my arms andexperience to your service."
"Nothing else? Be sincere, and remember that one single lie may costyour life. We Persians have different ideas of truth from the Greeks."
"Lying is hateful to me too, if only, because, as a distortion andcorruption of what is noblest, it seems unsightly in my eyes."
"Then speak."
"There was certainly a third reason for my coming hither, which I shouldlike to tell you later. It has reference to matters of the greatestimportance, which it will require a longer time to discuss; butto-day--"
"Just to-day I should like to hear something new. Accompany me to thechase. You come exactly at the right time, for I never had more need ofdiversion than now."
"I will accompany you with pleasure, if..."
"No conditions to the king! Have you had much practice in hunting?"
"In the Libyan desert I have kill
ed many a lion."
"Then come, follow me."
In the thought of the chase the king seemed to have thrown off all hisweakness and roused himself to action; he was just leaving the hall,when Hystaspes once more threw himself at his feet, crying withup-raised hands: "Is my son--is your brother, to die innocent? By thesoul of your father, who used to call me his truest friend, I conjureyou to listen to this noble stranger."
Cambyses stood still. The frown gathered on his brow again, his voicesounded like a menace and his eyes flashed as he raised his hand andsaid to the Greek: "Tell me what you know; but remember that in everyuntrue word, you utter your own sentence of death."
Phanes heard this threat with the greatest calmness, and answered,bowing gracefully as he spoke: "From the sun and from my lord the king,nothing can be hid. What power has a poor mortal to conceal the truthfrom one so mighty? The noble Hystaspes has said, that I am able toprove your brother innocent. I will only say, that I wish and hope I maysucceed in accomplishing anything so great and beautiful. The gods haveat least allowed me to discover a trace which seems calculated to throwlight on the events of yesterday; but you yourself must decide whethermy hopes have been presumptuous and my suspicions too easily aroused.Remember, however, that throughout, my wish to serve you has beensincere, and that if I have been deceived, my error is pardonable; thatnothing is perfectly certain in this world, and every man believes thatto be infallible which seems to him the most probable."
"You speak well, and remind me of... curse her! there, speak and havedone with it! I hear the dogs already in the court."
"I was still in Egypt when your embassy came to fetch Nitetis. At thehouse of Rhodopis, my delightful, clever and celebrated countrywoman,I made the acquaintance of Croesus and his son; I only saw your brotherand his friends once or twice, casually; still I remembered the youngprince's handsome face so well, that some time later, when I was inthe workshop of the great sculptor Theodorus at Samos, I recognized hisfeatures at once."
"Did you meet him at Samos?"
"No, but his features had made such a deep and faithful impression onTheodorus' memory, that he used them to beautify the head of an Apollo,which the Achaemenidae had ordered for the new temple of Delphi."
"Your tale begins, at least, incredibly enough. How is it possible tocopy features so exactly, when you have not got them before you?"
"I can only answer that Theodorus has really completed thismaster-piece, and if you wish for a proof of his skill would gladly sendyou a second likeness of..."
"I have no desire for it. Go on with your story."
"On my journey hither, which, thanks to your father's excellentarrangements, I performed in an incredibly short time, changing horsesevery sixteen or seventeen miles..."
"Who allowed you, a foreigner, to use the posthorses?"
"The pass drawn out for the son of Croesus, which came by chance intomy hands, when once, in order to save my life, he forced me to changeclothes with him."
"A Lydian can outwit a fox, and a Syrian a Lydian, but an Ionian is amatch for both," muttered the king, smiling for the first time; "Croesustold me this story--poor Croesus!" and then the old gloomy expressioncame over his face and he passed his hand across his forehead, as iftrying to smooth the lines of care away. The Athenian went on: "I metwith no hindrances on my journey till this morning at the first hourafter midnight, when I was detained by a strange occurrence."
The king began to listen more attentively, and reminded the Athenian,who spoke Persian with difficulty, that there was no time to lose.
"We had reached the last station but one," continued he, "and hoped tobe in Babylon by sunrise. I was thinking over my past stirring life, andwas so haunted by the remembrance of evil deeds unrevenged that Icould not sleep; the old Egyptian at my side, however, slept and dreamtpeacefully enough, lulled by the monotonous tones of the harness bells,the sound of the horses' hoofs and the murmur of the Euphrates. It wasa wonderfully still, beautiful night; the moon and stars were sobrilliant, that our road and the landscape were lighted up almostwith the brightness of day. For the last hour we had not seen asingle vehicle, foot-passenger, or horseman; we had heard that allthe neighboring population had assembled in Babylon to celebrate yourbirthday, gaze with wonder at the splendor of your court, and enjoy yourliberality. At last the irregular beat of horses' hoofs, and the soundof bells struck my ear, and a few minutes later I distinctly heard criesof distress. My resolve was taken at once; I made my Persian servantdismount, sprang into his saddle, told the driver of the cart in whichmy slaves were sitting not to spare his mules, loosened my dagger andsword in their scabbards, and spurred my horse towards the place fromwhence the cries came. They grew louder and louder. I had not ridden aminute, when I came on a fearful scene. Three wild-looking fellows hadjust pulled a youth, dressed in the white robes of a Magian, from hishorse, stunned him with heavy blows, and, just as I reached them, wereon the point of throwing him into the Euphrates, which at that placewashes the roots of the palms and fig-trees bordering the high-road. Iuttered my Greek war-cry, which has made many an enemy tremble beforenow, and rushed on the murderers. Such fellows are always cowards; themoment they saw one of their accomplices mortally wounded, they fled. Idid not pursue them, but stooped down to examine the poor boy, who wasseverely wounded. How can I describe my horror at seeing, as I believed,your brother Bartja? Yes, they were the very same features that I hadseen, first at Naukratis and then in Theodorus' workshop, they were..."
"Marvellous!" interrupted Hystaspes.
"Perhaps a little too much so to be credible," added the king. "Takecare, Hellene! remember my arm reaches far. I shall have the truth ofyour story put to the proof."
"I am accustomed," answered Phanes bowing low, "to follow the adviceof our wise philosopher Pythagoras, whose fame may perhaps have reachedyour ears, and always, before speaking, to consider whether what I amgoing to say may not cause me sorrow in the future."
"That sounds well; but, by Mithras, I knew some one who often spokeof that great teacher, and yet in her deeds turned out to be a mostfaithful disciple of Angramainjus. You know the traitress, whom we aregoing to extirpate from the earth like a poisonous viper to-day."
"Will you forgive me," answered Phanes, seeing the anguish expressed inthe king's features, "if I quote another of the great master's maxims?"
"Speak."
"Blessings go as quickly as they come. Therefore bear thy lot patiently.Murmur not, and remember that the gods never lay a heavier weight on anyman than he can bear. Hast thou a wounded heart? touch it as seldomas thou wouldst a sore eye. There are only two remedies forheart-sickness:--hope and patience."
Cambyses listened to this sentence, borrowed from the golden maximsof Pythagoras, and smiled bitterly at the word "patience." Still theAthenian's way of speaking pleased him, and he told him to go on withhis story.
Phanes made another deep obeisance, and continued: "We carried theunconscious youth to my carriage, and brought him to the neareststation. There he opened his eyes, looked anxiously at me, and askedwho I was and what had happened to him? The master of the station wasstanding by, so I was obliged to give the name of Gyges in order not toexcite his suspicions by belying my pass, as it was only through thisthat I could obtain fresh horses.
"This wounded young man seemed to know Gyges, for he shook his headand murmured: 'You are not the man you give yourself out for.' Then heclosed his eyes again, and a violent attack of fever came on.
"We undressed, bled him and bound up his wounds. My Persian servant, whohad served as overlooker in Amasis' stables and had seen Bartja there,assisted by the old Egyptian who accompanied me, was very helpful, andasserted untiringly that the wounded man could be no other than yourbrother. When we had cleansed the blood from his face, the master of thestation too swore that there could be no doubt of his being the youngerson of your great father Cyrus. Meanwhile my Egyptian companion hadfetched a potion from the travelling medicine-chest, without which anEgyptian does no
t care to leave his native country.
[A similar travelling medicine-chest is to be seen in the Egyptian Museum at Berlin. It is prettily and compendiously fitted up, and must be very ancient, for the inscription on the chest, which contained it stated that it was made in the 11th dynasty (end of the third century B. C.) in the reign of King Mentuhotep.]
The drops worked wonders; in a few hours the fever was quieted, and atsunrise the patient opened his eyes once more. We bowed down before him,believing him to be your brother, and asked if he would like to be takento the palace in Babylon. This he refused vehemently, and asseveratedthat he was not the man we took him for, but,..."
"Who can be so like Bartja? tell me quickly," interrupted the king, "Iam very curious to know this."
"He declared that he was the brother of your high-priest, that his namewas Gaumata, and that this would be proved by the pass which we shouldfind in the sleeve of his Magian's robe. The landlord found thisdocument and, being able to read, confirmed the statement of the sickyouth; he was, however, soon seized by a fresh attack of fever, andbegan to speak incoherently."
"Could you understand him?"
"Yes, for his talk always ran on the same subject. The hanging-gardensseemed to fill his thoughts. He must have just escaped some greatdanger, and probably had had a lover's meeting there with a woman calledMandane."
"Mandane, Mandane," said Cambyses in a low voice; "if I do not mistake,that is the name of the highest attendant on Amasis' daughter."
These words did not escape the sharp ears of the Greek. He thought amoment and then exclaimed with a smile; "Set the prisoners free, myKing; I will answer for it with my own head, that Bartja was not in thehanging-gardens."
The king was surprised at this speech but not angry. The free,unrestrained, graceful manner of this Athenian towards himself producedthe same impression, that a fresh sea-breeze makes when felt for thefirst time. The nobles of his own court, even his nearest relations,approached him bowing and cringing, but this Greek stood erect in hispresence; the Persians never ventured to address their ruler without athousand flowery and flattering phrases, but the Athenian was simple,open and straightforward. Yet his words were accompanied by such acharm of action and expression, that the king could understand them,notwithstanding the defective Persian in which they were clothed, betterthan the allegorical speeches of his own subjects. Nitetis and Phaneswere the only human beings, who had ever made him forget that he was aking. With them he was a man speaking to his fellow-man, instead of adespot speaking with creatures whose very existence was the playthingof his own caprice. Such is the effect produced by real manly dignity,superior culture and the consciousness of a right to freedom, on themind even of a tyrant. But there was something beside all this, that hadhelped to win Cambyses' favor for the Athenian. This man's coming seemedas if it might possibly give him back the treasure he had believedwas lost and more than lost. But how could the life of such a foreignadventurer be accepted as surety for the sons of the highest Persiansin the realm? The proposal, however, did not make him angry. On thecontrary, he could not help smiling at the boldness of this Greek, whoin his eagerness had freed himself from the cloth which hung over hismouth and beard, and exclaimed: "By Mithras, Greek, it really seems asif you were to prove a messenger of good for us! I accept your offer.If the prisoners, notwithstanding your supposition, should still proveguilty you are bound to pass your whole life at my court and in myservice, but if, on the contrary, you are able to prove what I soardently long for, I will make you richer than any of your countrymen."
Phanes answered by a smile which seemed to decline this munificentoffer, and asked: "Is it permitted me to put a few questions to yourselfand to the officers of your court?"
"You are allowed to say and ask whatever you wish."
At this moment the master of the huntsmen, one of those who daily ateat the king's table, entered, out of breath from his endeavors to hastenthe preparations, and announced that all was ready.
"They must wait," was the king's imperious answer. "I am not sure, thatwe shall hunt at all to-day. Where is Bischen, the captain of police?"
Datis, the so-called "eye of the king," who held the office filled inmodern days by a minister of police, hurried from the room, returning ina few minutes with the desired officer. These moments Phanes made use offor putting various questions on important points to the nobles who werepresent.
"What news can you bring of the prisoners?" asked the king, as the manlay prostrate before him. "Victory to the king! They await death withcalmness, for it is sweet to die by thy will."
"Have you heard anything of their conversation?"
"Yes, my Ruler."
"Do they acknowledge their guilt, when speaking to each other?"
"Mithras alone knows the heart; but you, my prince, if you could hearthem speak, would believe in their innocence, even as I the humblest ofyour servants."
The captain looked up timidly at the king, fearing lest these wordsshould have excited his anger; Cambyses, however, smiled kindly insteadof rebuking him. But a sudden thought darkened his brow again directly,and in a low voice he asked: "When was Croesus executed?"
The man trembled at this question; the perspiration stood on hisforehead, and he could scarcely stammer the words: "He is... he has ...we thought...."
"What did you think?" interrupted Cambyses, and a new light of hopeseemed to dawn in his mind. "Is it possible, that you did not carry outmy orders at once? Can Croesus still be alive? Speak at once, I mustknow the whole truth."
The captain writhed like a worm at his lord's feet, and at laststammered out, raising his hands imploringly towards the king: "Havemercy, have mercy, my Lord the king! I am a poor man, and have thirtychildren, fifteen of whom..."
"I wish to know if Croesus is living or dead."
"He is alive! He has done so much for me, and I did not think Iwas doing wrong in allowing him to live a few hours longer, that hemight...."
"That is enough," said the king breathing freely. "This once yourdisobedience shall go unpunished, and the treasurer may give you twotalents, as you have so many children.--Now go to the prisoners,--tellCroesus to come hither, and the others to be of good courage, if theyare innocent."
"My King is the light of the world, and an ocean of mercy."
"Bartja and his friends need not remain any longer in confinement; theycan walk in the court of the palace, and you will keep guard over them.You, Datis, go at once to the hanging-gardens and order Boges to deferthe execution of the sentence on the Egyptian Princess; and further, Iwish messengers sent to the post-station mentioned by the Athenian, andthe wounded man brought hither under safe escort."
The "king's eye" was on the point of departure, but Phanes detained him,saying: "Does my King allow me to make one remark?"
"Speak."
"It appears to me, that the chief of the eunuchs could give the mostaccurate information. During his delirium the youth often mentioned hisname in connection with that of the girl he seemed to be in love with."
"Go at once, Datis, and bring him quickly."
"The high-priest Oropastes, Gaumata's brother, ought to appear too; andMandane, whom I have just been assured on the most positive authority,is the principal attendant of the Egyptian Princess."
"Fetch her, Datis."
"If Nitetis herself could..."
At this the king turned pale and a cold shiver ran through his limbs.How he longed to see his darling again! But the strong man was afraid ofthis woman's reproachful looks; he knew the captivating power that layin her eyes. So he pointed to the door, saying "Fetch Boges and Mandane;the Egyptian Princess is to remain in the hanging-gardens, under strictcustody."
The Athenian bowed deferentially; as if he would say: "Here no one has aright to command but the king."
Cambyses looked well pleased, seated himself again on the purple divan,and resting his forehead on his hand, bent his eyes on the ground andsank into deep thought. The picture of the woman he lov
ed so dearlyrefused to be banished; it came again and again, more and more vividly,and the thought that these features could not have deceived him--thatNitetis must be innocent--took a firmer root in his mind; he had alreadybegun to hope. If Bartja could be cleared, there was no error that mightnot be conceivable; in that case he would go to the hanging-gardens,take her hand and listen to her defence. When love has once taken firmhold of a man in riper years, it runs and winds through his whole naturelike one of his veins, and can only be destroyed with his life.
The entrance of Croesus roused Cambyses from his dream; he raised theold man kindly from the prostrate position at his feet, into which hehad thrown himself on entering, and said: "You offended me, but I willbe merciful; I have not forgotten that my father, on his dying bed, toldme to make you my friend and adviser. Take your life back as a gift fromme, and forget my anger as I wish to forget your want of reverence.This man says he knows you; I should like to hear your opinion of hisconjectures."
Croesus turned away much affected, and after having heartily welcomedthe Athenian, asked him to relate his suppositions and the grounds onwhich they were founded.
The old man grew more and more attentive as the Greek went on, and whenhe had finished raised his hands to heaven, crying: "Pardon me, oh yeeternal gods, if I have ever questioned the justice of your decrees.Is not this marvellous, Cambyses? My son once placed himself in greatdanger to save the life of this noble Athenian, whom the gods havebrought hither to repay the deed tenfold. Had Phanes been murdered inEgypt, this hour might have seen our sons executed."
And as he said this he embraced Hystaspes; both shared one feeling;their sons had been as dead and were now alive.
The king, Phanes, and all the Persian dignitaries watched the old menwith deep sympathy, and though the proofs of Bartja's innocence were asyet only founded on conjecture, not one of those present doubted it onemoment longer. Wherever the belief in a man's guilt is but slight, hisdefender finds willing listeners.