THALIA. 17

at Memphis, and had only made rejoicings now that
fce nad returned with the loss of so many of his
droops. They told him that their deity had appeared
to them, which after a long absence it was his custom
to do; and that when this happened, it was customary
for ill the Egyptians to hold a solemn festival. Cam-
byses disbelieved what they told him, and condemned
them to death, as guilty of falsehood.

XXVIII. As soon as they were executed, he sent
for the priests, from whom he received the same an­
swer. "If," said he, "any deity has shown himself
" familiarly in Egypt, I must sec and know him." He
theneommanded them to bring Apis before him, which
they prepared to do. This Apis, or Epaphus, is the
calf of a cow which can have no more young. The
Egyptians say, that on this occasion the cow is struck
With lightning, from which she conceives and brings
forth Apis. The young one so produced, and thus
named, is known by certain marks: The skin is black,
but on its forehead is a white star of a triangular
form. It has the figure of an eagle on the back, the
tail is divided, and under the tongue it has an insect
like a beetle.

XXIX. When the priests conducted Apis to his
presence, CambySes was transported with rage. He
drew his dagger, and endeavouring to stab him in the
belly, wounded him in the thigh; then turning to the
priests with an insulting smile, " Wretches," he ex­
claimed, " think ye that gods are formed of flesh and
u blood, and thus susceptible of wounds ? This, in-
M deed, is a deity worthy of Egyptians: but you shall
"find that I am not to be mocked with impunity."
He then called the proper officers, and commanded
the priests to be scourged : he directed also that what­
ever Egyptian was found celebrating this festival,
should be put to death. The priests were thus pun­
ished, and no further solemnities observed. Apis
himself languished and died in the temple, from the
wound of his thigh, and was buried by the priests
without the knowledge of Cambyses.

XXX. The Egyptians affirm, that in consequence
this impiety, Cambyses became immediately mad,

B 2