THALIA, 67

CXXX11I. It happened not long afterwards, that
\tossa, daughter of Cyrus, and wife of Darius, had
m ulcer on her breast, which finally breaking, spread
tself considerably. As long as it was small, she was
nduced by delicacy to conceal it; but when it grew
more troublesome, she sent for Democcdes, and show­
ed it to him. He told her he was able to cure it; but
exacted of her an oath, that in return she should serve
him in whatever he might require, which he assured
her, should be nothing to disgrace her.

CXXXIV. Atossa was cured by his skill, and, ob­
servant of her own promise and his instructions, she
took the opportunity of thus addressing Darius, while
she was in bed with him : " It is wonderful, my lord,
that having such a numerous army at command, you
have neither increased the power of Persia, nor at all
extended your dominions. It becomes a man like
you, in the vigour of your age, and master of so many
and such powerful resources, to perform some act
which may satisfy the Persians of the spirit and virtue
of their prince. There are two reasons which give
importance to what I recommend:—the oney that your
subjects may venerate the manly accomplishments of
their master; the other, that you may prevent the
indolence of peace exciting them to tumult and sedi­
tion. Do not tljesefore consume your youth in inac­
tivity, for the powers of the mind increase and im­
prove with those of the body; and in like manner as
old age comes on they become weaker and weaker,
till they are finally blunted to every thing." " What
you say," answered Darius, " coincides with what was
passing in my mind. I had intended to make war
against Scythia, and to construct a bridge to unite our
continent with the other; which things shall be soon
executed." " Will it not, Sir," returned Atossa, " be
better to defer your intentions against the Scythians,
who will at any time afford you an easy conquest?
Rather make an expedition against Greece: I wish
much to have for my attendants some women of
Sparta, Argos, Athens, and Corinth, of whom I have
heard so much. You have, moreover, in the man
who healed the wound of your foot, the person of all