The Good Book_ A Secular Bible - A. C. Grayling [156]
10. ‘Indeed one may measure their prowess from what they have already done;
11. ‘For when Datis and Artaphernes led their huge army against Attica, the Athenians by themselves defeated them.
12. ‘But grant they are not successful on both elements. Still, if they man their ships, and, defeating us by sea, sail to the Hellespont, and there destroy our bridge: that, sire, were a fearful hazard.
13. ‘I remember how narrowly we escaped disaster once, when your father, after throwing bridges over the Thracian Bosphorus and the Ister,
14. ‘Marched against the Scythians, and they tried every means to induce the Ionians, who had charge of the bridge over the Ister, to break the passage.
15. ‘On that day, if Histiaeus, king of Miletus, had sided with the other princes, and not set himself to oppose their views, the empire of the Persians would have come to an end.
16. ‘Surely it were a dreadful thing even to hear this said, that the king’s fortunes depended wholly on one man.
17. ‘Think then no more of incurring so great a danger when no need presses, but follow the advice I offer.
18. ‘Break up this meeting, and when you have thought the matter over by yourself, and settled what you will do, tell us your decision.
19. ‘I know nothing in the world that so profits a man as taking good counsel with himself.
20. ‘Moreover, hurry always brings disasters, from which huge sufferings arise;
21. ‘But in delay lie many advantages, not always apparent at first sight, but such as in course of time are seen of all. Such is my counsel, O king!
22. ‘And you, Mardonius, son of Gobryas, forbear to speak foolishly concerning the Greeks, who are men that ought not to be lightly esteemed by us.
23. ‘For by reviling the Greeks, you encourage the king to lead his troops against them; and it seems to me that you want this for your own benefit.
24. ‘If, however, it turns out that we must go to war with this people, at least allow the king to abide at home in Persia.
25. ‘Then let you and me stake our children on the issue. If things go well for the king, as you say they will, let me and my children be put to death;
26. ‘But if they fall out as I predict, let your children suffer, and you too, if you happen to come back alive.
27. ‘But if you refuse this wager, and still resolve to march an army against Greece,
28. ‘I am certain that some of those you leave behind here will one day receive the sad tidings that Mardonius has brought a great disaster on the Persian people,
29. ‘And himself lies a prey to dogs and birds somewhere in the land of the Athenians, or else in that of the Spartans;
30. ‘Unless indeed you perish sooner by the way, experiencing in your own person the might of those men on whom you wish to induce the king to make war.’
31. Angrily Xerxes said, ‘Artabanus, you are my father’s brother; that saves you from punishment for your stupid words.
32. ‘But I will lay one shame on you: you will not come with me to conquer the Greeks, but will tarry here with the women.
33. ‘It is henceforth either the Greeks or the Persians: one must conquer; there is no middle way.’
34. So he spoke; but in the night he was troubled by what Artabanus had said, and changed his mind, and told the Persians so the next morning;
35. At which they all rejoiced, and made grateful obeisances to him.
36. Yet the second night he changed his mind yet again, and told them so; and this time, because he had been discussing long with Artabanus,
37. And had persuaded his uncle to support him in his resolve, he was able to tell the Persians that Artabanus at last agreed too; and so the expedition was decided.
Chapter 59
1. Reckoning from the recovery of Egypt, Xerxes spent four years collecting his host and making all ready for the invasion of Greece.
2. So many nations furnished men, ships and supplies, that no greater host had ever been assembled for war, or more careful preparations made.
3. These included laying up stores at way stations, building bridges