|
In acting thus he did but follow the example once set by Melampus, at
least if kingship may be compared with citizenship. For when the women
of Argos were seized with madness, and the Argives would have hired
Melampus to come from Pylos and heal them of their disease, he
demanded as his reward one-half of the kingdom; but as the Argives
disdained to stoop to this, they left him and went their way.
Afterwards, however, when many more of their women were seized, they
brought themselves to agree to his terms; and accordingly they went
again to him, and said they were content to give what he required.
Hereon Melampus, seeing them so changed, raised his demand, and
told them, "Except they would give his brother Bias one-third of
the kingdom likewise, he would not do as they wished." So, as the
Argives were in a strait, they consented even to this.
|
|