THALIA- 21

Such was his treatment of Prexaspes. At another
time, without the smallest provocation, he commanded
twelve Persians of distinction to be buried olive.

XXXVI. Whilst he was pursuing these extrava­
gancies, Croesus gave him this advice: " Do not, Sir,
" yield thus intemperately to the warmth of your age
" and of your temper. Restrain yourself, and remem-
ber that moderation is the part of a wise man, and
" it becomes every one to weigh the consequences of
" His actions. Without any adequate offence you
" destroy your fellow-citizens, and put even children
" to death. If you continue these excesses, the Per-
" sians may be induced to revolt from you. In giving
" you these admonitions, I do but fulfil the injunctions
u which the king your father repeatedly laid upon me,
" to warn you of whatever I thought necessary to
"your welfare." Kind as were the intentions of
Croesus, he received this answer from Cambyses: " I
" am astonished at your presumption in speaking to
" me thus, as if you had been remarkable either for
" the judicious government of your own dominions,
" or for the wise advice which you gave my father.
**I cannot forget that, instead of waiting for the
<* attack of the Massagette, you counselled him to ad-
" vance and encounter them in their own territories.
" By your misconduct you lost your own dominions,
« and by your ill advice were the cause of my father's
" ruin. But do not expect to escape with impunity;
"indeed I have long wished for an opportunity to
**punish you." He then eagerly snatched his bow,
intending to pierce Croesus with an arrow, but by an
expeditious flight he escaped. Cambyses instantly
ordered him to be seized and put to death; but as his
officers were well acquainted with their prince's
character, they concealed Croesus, thinking that if at
any future period he should show contrition, they
might by producing him obtain a reward; but if no
farther inquiries were made concerning him, they
might then kill him. Not long afterwards Cambyses
expressed regret for Croesus, which when his attend­
ants perceived, they told him that ho was alive. He
demonstrated particular satisfaction at the preserve.-