82 MELPOMENE.

value. This it is which induces the Scythians to de-j,
prive all their captives of sight, for they do not culti­
vate the ground, but lead a pastoral life.

III. From the union of these slaves with the Scy­
thian women, a numerous progeny was born, who,
when informed of their origin, readily advanced to
oppose those who were returning from Media. Their
first exertion was to intersect the country by a large
and deep trench, which extended from the mountains
of Tauris, to the Palus Maeotis. They then encamp­
ed opposite to the Scythians, who were endeavouring
to effect their passage. Various engagements ensued,
in which the Scythians obtained no advantage.
"My countrymen," at length one of them exclaimed,
" what are we doing ? In this contest with our slaves,
every action diminishes our number, and by killing
those who oppose us, the value of victory decreases:
let us throw aside our darts and our arrows, and rusn
upon them only with the whips which we use for
our hones. Whilst they see us with arms, they think
themselves our equals in birth and importance ; but
as soon as they shall perceive the whip in our hands,
they will be impressed with the sense of their servile
condition, and resist no longer."

IV. The Scythians approved the advice; their op­
ponents forgot their former exertions, and fled: in
this manner the Scythians obtained the sovereignty
of Asia; and thus, after having been expelled by the
Medes, they returned to their country. From the
above motives, Darius, eager for revenge, prepared to
lead an army against them.

V. The Scythians affirm of their country that it was
of all others the last formed, which happened in this
manner: when this region was in its original and
desert state, the first inhabitant was named Targitaus,
a son, as they say, (but which to me seems incredible)
of Jupiter, by a daughter of the Borysthenes. This
Targitaus had three sons, Lipoxais, Arpoxais, and
lastly Colaxais. Whilst they possessed the country,
there fell from heaven into the Scythian district a
plough, a yoke, an axe, and a goblet, all of gold. The
eldest of the brothors was the first who saw them;