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When Polycrates read this letter, and perceived that the advice of
Amasis was good, he considered carefully with himself which of the
treasures that he had in store it would grieve him most to lose. After
much thought he made up his mind that it was a signet-ring which he was
wont to wear, an emerald set in gold, the workmanship of Theodore,
son of Telecles, a Samian. So he determined to throw this away;
and, manning a penteconter, he went on board, and bade the sailors
put out into the open sea. When he was now a long way from the
island, he took the ring from his finger, and, in the sight of all
those who were on board, flung it into the deep. This done, he
returned home, and gave vent to his sorrow.
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