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！
vessels falling short of the full amount； and he did not know on whom he
should lay the blame； since the seals were unbroken and the chamber had
been close shut； but when upon his opening the chamber a second and a
third time the money was each time seen to be diminished； for the thieves
did not slacken in their assaults upon it； he did as follows：having ordered
traps to be made he set these round about the vessels in which the money
was； and when the thieves had come as at former times and one of them
had entered； then so soon as he came near to one of the vessels he was
straightway caught in the trap： and when he perceived in what evil case he
was； straightway calling his brother he showed him what the matter was；
and bade him enter as quickly as possible and cut off his head； for fear lest
being seen and known he might bring about the destruction of his brother
also。 And to the other it seemed that he spoke well； and he was persuaded
and did so； and fitting the stone into its place he departed home bearing
55
… Page 56…
AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT
with him the head of his brother。 Now when it became day； the king
entered into the chamber and was very greatly amazed； seeing the body of
the thief held in the trap without his head； and the chamber unbroken； with
no way to come in by or go out： and being at a loss he hung up the dead
body of the thief upon the wall and set guards there； with charge if they
saw any one weeping or bewailing himself to seize him and bring him
before the king。 And when the dead body had been hung up； the mother
was greatly grieved； and speaking with the son who survived she enjoined
him； in whatever way he could； to contrive means by which he might take
down and bring home the body of his brother； and if he should neglect to
do this； she earnestly threatened that she would go and give information to
the king that he had the money。 So as the mother dealt hardly with the
surviving son； and he though saying many things to her did not persuade
her； he contrived for his purpose a device as follows：Providing himself
with asses he filled some skins with wine and laid them upon the asses；
and after that he drove them along： and when he came opposite to those
who were guarding the corpse hung up； he drew towards him two or three
of the necks of the skins and loosened the cords with which they were tied。
Then when the wine was running out； he began to beat his head and cry
out loudly； as if he did not know to which of the asses he should first turn；
and when the guards saw the wine flowing out in streams； they ran
together to the road with drinking vessels in their hands and collected the
wine that was poured out； counting it so much gain； and he abused them
all violently； making as if he were angry； but when the guards tried to
appease him； after a time he feigned to be pacified and to abate his anger；
and at length he drove his asses out of the road and began to set their loads
right。 Then more talk arose among them； and one or two of them made
jests at him and brought him to laugh with them； and in the end he made
them a present of one of the skins in addition to what they had。 Upon that
they lay down there without more ado； being minded to drink； and they
took him into their company and invited him to remain with them and join
them in their drinking： so he （as may be supposed） was persuaded and
stayed。 Then as they in their drinking bade him welcome in a friendly
manner； he made a present to them also of another of the skins； and so at
56
… Page 57…
AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT
length having drunk liberally the guards became completely intoxicated；
and being overcome by sleep they went to bed on the spot where they had
been drinking。 He then； as it was now far on in the night； first took down
the body of his brother； and then in mockery shaved the right cheeks of all
the guards； and after that he put the dead body upon the asses and drove
them away home； having accomplished that which was enjoined him by
his mother。 Upon this the king； when it was reported to him that the dead
body of the thief had been stolen away； displayed great anger； and desiring
by all means that it should be found out who it might be who devised these
things； did this （so at least they said； but I do not believe the account）；he
caused his own daughter to sit in the stews； and enjoined her to receive all
equally； and before having commerce with any one to compel him to tell
her what was the most cunning and what the most unholy deed which had
been done by him in all his life…time； and whosoever should relate that
which had happened about the thief； him she must seize and not let him go
out。 Then as she was doing that which was enjoined by her father； the thief；
hearing for what purpose this was done and having a desire to get the
better of the king in resource； did thus：from the body of one lately dead
he cut off the arm at the shoulder and went with it under his mantle： and
having gone in to the daughter of the king； and being asked that which the
others also were asked； he related that he had done the most unholy deed
when he cut off the head of his brother； who had been caught in a trap in
the king's treasure…chamber； and the most cunning deed in that he made
drunk the guards and took down the dead body of his brother hanging up；
and she when she heard it tried to take hold of him； but the thief held out
to her in the darkness the arm of the corpse； which she grasped and held；
thinking that she was holding the arm of the man himself； but the thief left
it in her hands and departed； escaping through the door。 Now when this
also was reported to the king； he was at first amazed at the ready invention
and daring of the fellow； and then afterwards he sent round to all the cities
and made proclamation granting a free pardon to the thief； and also
promising a great reward if he would come into his presence。 The thief
accordingly trusting to the proclamation came to the king； and
Rhampsinitos greatly marvelled at him； and gave him this daughter of his
57
… Page 58…
AN ACCOUNT OF EGYPT
to wife； counting him to be the most knowing of all men； for as the
Egyptians were distinguished from all other men； so was he from the other
Egyptians。
After these things they said this king went down alive to that place
which by the Hellenes is called Hades； and there played at dice with
Demeter； and in some throws he overcame her and in others he was
overcome by her； and he came back again having as a gift from her a
handkerchief of gold： and they told me that because of the going down of
Rhampsinitos the Egyptians after he came back celebrated a feast； which I
know of my own knowledge also that they still observe even to my time；
but whether it is for this cause that they keep the feast or for some other； I
am not able to say。 However； the priests weave a robe completely on the
very day of the feast； and forthwith they bind up the eyes of one of them
with a fillet； and having led him with the robe to the way by which one
goes to the temple of Demeter； they depart back again themselves。 This
priest； they say； with his eyes bound up is led by two wolves to the temple
of Demeter； which is distant from the city twenty furlongs； and then
afterwards the wolves lead him back again from the temple to the same
spot。 Now as to the tales told by the Egyptians； any man may accept them
to whom such things appear credible； as for me； it is to be understood
throughout the whole of the history that I write by hearsay that which is
reported by the people in each place。 The Egyptians say that Demeter and
Dionysos are rulers of the world below； and the Egyptians are also the first
who reported the doctrine that the soul of man is immortal； and that when
the body dies； the soul enters into another creature which chances then to
be coming to the birth； and when it has gone the round of all the creatures
of land and sea and of the air； it enters again into a human body a