|
When Tomyris heard what had befallen her son and her army, she sent a
herald to Cyrus, who thus addressed the conqueror: "Thou
bloodthirsty Cyrus, pride not thyself on this poor success: it was
the grape-juice - which, when ye drink it, makes you so mad, and as
ye swallow it down brings up to your lips such bold and wicked words -
it was this poison wherewith thou didst ensnare my child, and so
overcamest him, not in fair open fight. Now hearken what I advise,
and be sure I advise thee for thy good. Restore my son to me and get
thee from the land unharmed, triumphant over a third part of the host
of the Massagetae. Refuse, and I swear by the sun, the sovereign
lord of the Massagetae, bloodthirsty as thou art, I will give thee
thy fill of blood."
|
|