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With respect to Croesus himself, this is what befell him at the
taking of the town. He had a son, of whom I made mention above, a
worthy youth, whose only defect was that he was deaf and dumb. In the
days of his prosperity Croesus had done the utmost that be could for
him, and among other plans which he had devised, had sent to Delphi
to consult the oracle on his behalf. The answer which he had received
from the Pythoness ran thus:
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Lydian, wide-ruling monarch, thou wondrous simple Croesus,
Wish not ever to hear in thy palace the voice thou hast prayed for
Uttering intelligent sounds. Far better thy son should be silent!
Ah! woe worth the day when thine car shall first list to his accents.
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When the town was taken, one of the Persians was just going to kill
Croesus, not knowing who he was. Croesus saw the man coming, but
under the pressure of his affliction, did not care to avoid the blow,
not minding whether or no he died beneath the stroke. Then this son of
his, who was voiceless, beholding the Persian as he rushed towards
Croesus, in the agony of his fear and grief burst into speech, and
said, "Man, do not kill Croesus." This was the first time that
he had ever spoken a word, but afterwards he retained the power of
speech for the remainder of his life.
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