按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
enclosed under the table had its sculptures very beautiful； but
that part which went round on the outside was more elaborately
adorned with most beautiful ornaments； because it was exposed to
sight； and to the view of the spectators； for which reason it was
that both those sides which were extant above the rest were
acute； and none of the angles； which we before told you were
three； appeared less than another； when the table was turned
about。 Now into the cordwork thus turned were precious stones
inserted； in rows parallel one to the other； enclosed in golden
buttons； which had ouches in them； but the parts which were on
the side of the crown； and were exposed to the sight； were
adorned with a row of oval figures obliquely placed； of the most
excellent sort of precious stones； which imitated rods laid
close； and encompassed the table round about。 But under these
oval figures； thus engraven； the workmen had put a crown all
round it； where the nature of all sorts of fruit was represented；
insomuch that the bunches of grapes hung up。 And when they had
made the stones to represent all the kinds of fruit before
mentioned； and that each in its proper color； they made them fast
with gold round the whole table。 The like disposition of the oval
figures； and of the engraved rods； was framed under the crown；
that the table might on each side show the same appearance of
variety and elegancy of its ornaments； so that neither the
position of the wave…work nor of the crown might be different；
although the table were turned on the other side； but that the
prospect of the same artificial contrivances might be extended as
far as the feet； for there was made a plate of gold four fingers
broad； through the entire breadth of the table； into which they
inserted the feet； and then fastened them to the table by buttons
and button…holes； at the place where the crown was situate； that
so on what side soever of the table one should stand； it might
exhibit the very same view of the exquisite workmanship； and of
the vast expeses bestowed upon it： but upon the table itself they
engraved a meander； inserting into it very valuable stones in the
middle like stars； of various colors； the carbuncle and the
emerald； each of which sent out agreeable rays of light to the
spectators； with such stones of other sorts also as were most
curious and best esteemed； as being most precious in their kind。
Hard by this meander a texture of net…work ran round it； the
middle of which appeared like a rhombus； into which were inserted
rock…crystal and amber； which； by the great resemblance of the
appearance they made； gave wonderful delight to those that saw
them。 The chapiters of the feet imitated the first buddings of
lilies； while their leaves were bent and laid under the table；
but so that the chives were seen standing upright within them。
Their bases were made of a carbuncle； and the place at the
bottom； which rested on that carbuncle； was one palm deep； and
eight fingers in breadth。 Now they had engraven upon it with a
very fine tool； and with a great deal of pains； a branch of ivy
and tendrils of the vine； sending forth clusters of grapes； that
you would guess they were nowise different from real tendrils；
for they were so very thin； and so very far extended at their
extremities； that they were moved with the wind； and made one
believe that they were the product of nature； and not the
representation of art。 They also made the entire workmanship of
the table appear to be threefold； while the joints of the several
parts were so united together as to be invisible； and the places
where they joined could not be distinguished。 Now the thickness
of the table was not less than half a cubit。 So that this gift；
by the king's great generosity； by the great value of the
materials； and the variety of its exquisite structure； and the
artificer's skill in imitating nature with graying tools； was at
length brought to perfection； while the king was very desirous；
that though in largeness it were not to be different from that
which was already dedicated to God； yet that in exquisite
workmanship； and the novelty of the contrivances； and in the
splendor of its construction； it should far exceed it； and be
more illustrious than that was。
10。 Now of the cisterns of gold there were two； whose sculpture
was of scale…work； from its basis to its belt…like circle； with
various sorts of stones enchased in the spiral circles。 Next to
which there was upon it a meander of a cubit in height； it was
composed of stones of all sorts of colors。 And next to this was
the rod…work engraven； and next to that was a rhombus in a
texture of net…work； drawn out to the brim of the basin； while
small shields； made of stones； beautiful in their kind； and of
four fingers' depth； filled up the middle parts。 About the top of
the basin were wreathed the leaves of lilies； and of the
convolvulus； and the tendrils of vines in a circular manner。 And
this was the construction of the two cisterns of gold； each
containing two firkins。 But those which were of silver were much
more bright and splendid than looking…glasses； and you might in
them see the images that fell upon them more plainly than in the
other。 The king also ordered thirty vials； those of which the
parts that were of gold； and filled up with precious stones； were
shadowed over with the leaves of ivy and of vines； artificially
engraven。 And these were the vessels that were after an
extraordinary manner brought to this perfection； partly by the
skill of the workmen； who were admirable in such fine work； but
much more by the diligence and generosity of the king； who not
only supplied the artificers abundantly； and with great
generosity； with what they wanted； but he forbade public
audiences for the time； and came and stood by the workmen； and
saw the whole operation。 And this was the cause why the workmen
were so accurate in their performance； because they had regard to
the king； and to his great concern about the vessels； and so the
more indefatigably kept close to the work。
11。 And these were what gifts were sent by Ptolemy to Jerusalem；
and dedicated to God there。 But when Eleazar the high priest had
devoted them to God； and had paid due respect to those that
brought them； and had given them presents to be carried to the
king； he dismissed them。 And when they were come to Alexandria；
and Ptolemy heard that they were come；and that the seventy elders
were come also； he presently sent for Andreas and Aristens； his
ambassadors； who came to him； and delivered him the epistle which
they brought him from the high priest； and made answer to all the
questions he put to them by word of mouth。 He then made haste to
meet the elders that came from Jerusalem for the interpretation
of the laws； and he gave command； that every body who came on
other occasions should be sent away； which was a thing
surprising； and what he did not use to do； for those that were
drawn thither upon such occasions used to come to him on the
fifth day； but ambassadors at the month's end。 But when he had
sent those away； he waited for these that were sent by Eleazar；
but as the old men came in with the presents； which the high
priest had given them to bring to the king； and with the
membranes； upon which they had their laws written in golden
letters （7） he put questions to them concerning those books； and
when they had taken off the covers wherein they were wrapt up；
they showed him the membranes。 So the king stood admiring the
thinness of those membranes； and the exactness of the junctures；
which could not be perceived； （so exactly were they connected one
with another；） and this he did for a considerable time。 He then
said that he returned them thanks for coming to him； and still
greater thanks to him that sent them； and； above all； to that God
whose laws they appeared to be。 Then did the elders； and those
that were present with them； cry out with one voice； and wished
all happiness to the king。 Upon which he fell into tears by the
violence of the pleasure he had； it being natural to men to
afford the same indications in great joy that they do under
sorrows。 And when he had bid them deliver the books to those that
were appointed to receive them； he saluted the men； and said that
it was but just to discourse； in the first place； of the errand
they were sent about； and then to address himself to themselves。
He promised； however； that he would make this day on which they
came to him remarkable and eminent every year through the whole
course of his life； for their coming to him； and the victory
which he gained over Antigonus by sea； proved to be on the very
same day。 He also gave orders that they should sup with him； and
gave it in charge that they should have excellent lodgings
provided for them in the upper part of the city。
12。 Now he that was appointed to take care of the reception of
strangers； Nicanor by name； called for Dorotheus； whose duty it
was to make provision for them； and bid him prepare for every one
of them what should be requisite for their diet and way of
living； which thing was ordered by the king after this manner： he
took care that those that belo