|
Now Artybius rode a horse which had been trained to rear up against a
foot-soldier. Onesilus, informed of this, called to him his
shield-bearer, who was a Carian by nation, a man well skilled in
war, and of daring courage; and thus addressed him: "I hear," he
said, "that the horse which Artybius rides, rears up and attacks
with his fore legs and teeth the man against whom his rider urges him.
Consider quickly therefore and tell me which wilt thou undertake to
encounter, the steed or the rider?" Then the squire answered him,
"Both, my liege, or either, am I ready to undertake, and there is
nothing that I will shrink from at thy bidding. But I will tell thee
what seems to me to make most for thy interests. As thou art a prince
and a general, I think thou shouldest engage with one who is himself
both a prince and also a general. For then, if thou slayest thine
adversary, 'twill redound to thine honour, and if he slays thee
(which may Heaven forefend!), yet to fall by the hand of a worthy
foe makes death lose half its horror. To us, thy followers, leave
his war-horse and his retinue. And have thou no fear of the horse's
tricks. I warrant that this is the last time he will stand up against
any one."
|
|