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It chanced in the meantime that King Darius saw a sight which
determined him to bid Megabazus remove the Paeonians from their seats
in Europe and transport them to Asia. There were two Paeonians,
Pigres and Mantyes, whose ambition it was to obtain the sovereignty
over their countrymen. As soon therefore as ever Darius crossed into
Asia, these men came to Sardis, and brought with them their sister,
who was a tall and beautiful woman. Having so done, they waited till
a day came when the king sat in state in the suburb of the Lydians;
and then dressing their sister in the richest gear they could, sent her
to draw water for them. She bore a pitcher upon her head, and with
one arm led a horse, while all the way as she went she span flax. Now
as she passed by where the king was, Darius took notice of her; for
it was neither like the Persians nor the Lydians, nor any of the
dwellers in Asia, to do as she did. Darius accordingly noted her,
and ordered some of his guard to follow her steps, and watch to see
what she would do with the horse. So the spearmen went; and the
woman, when she came to the river, first watered the horse, and then
filling the pitcher, came back the same way she had gone, with the
pitcher of water upon her head, and the horse dragging upon her arm,
while she still kept twirling the spindle.
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