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Then Xerxes, greatly frightened at the vision which he had seen,
sprang from his couch, and sent a messenger to call Artabanus, who
came at the summons, when Xerxes spoke to him in these words:
"Artabanus, at the moment I acted foolishly, when I gave thee ill
words in return for thy good advice. However it was not long ere I
repented, and was convinced that thy counsel was such as I ought to
follow. But I may not now act in this way, greatly as I desire to
do so. For ever since I repented and changed my mind a dream has
haunted me, which disapproves my intentions, and has now just gone
from me with threats. Now if this dream is sent to me from God, and
if it is indeed his will that our troops should march against Greece,
thou too wilt have the same dream come to thee and receive the same
commands as myself. And this will be most sure to happen, I think,
if thou puttest on the dress which I am wont to wear, and then, after
taking thy seat upon my throne, liest down to sleep on my bed."
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