|
The other heralds therefore made proclamation as they were ordered,
and likewise the herald whose place it was to proceed into Egypt.
He, when he reached Agbatana in Syria, finding Cambyses and his
army there, went straight into the middle of the host, and standing
forth before them all, made the proclamation which Patizeithes the
Magus had commanded. Cambyses no sooner heard him, than believing
that what the herald said was true, and imagining that he had been
betrayed by Prexaspes (who, he supposed, had not put Smerdis to
death when sent into Persia for that purpose), he turned his eyes
full upon Prexaspes, and said, "Is this the way, Prexaspes, that
thou didst my errand?" "Oh! my liege," answered the other,
"there is no truth in the tidings that Smerdis thy brother has
revolted against thee, nor hast thou to fear in time to come any
quarrel, great or small, with that man. With my own hands I wrought
thy will on him, and with my own hands I buried him. If of a truth
the dead can leave their graves, expect Astyages the Mede to rise and
fight against thee; but if the course of nature be the same as
formerly, then be sure no ill will ever come upon thee from this
quarter. Now, therefore, my counsel is that we send in pursuit of
the herald, and strictly question him who it was that charged him to
bid us obey king Smerdis."
|
|