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So the Persians sent upon this errand, when they reached the court,
and were brought into the presence of Amyntas, required him to give
earth and water to King Darius. And Amyntas not only gave them what
they asked, but also invited them to come and feast with him; after
which he made ready the board with great magnificence, and entertained
the Persians in right friendly fashion. Now when the meal was over,
and they were all set to the drinking, the Persians said -
"Dear Macedonian, we Persians have a custom when we make a great
feast to bring with us to the board our wives and concubines, and make
them sit beside us. Now then, as thou hast received us so kindly,
and feasted us so handsomely, and givest moreover earth and water to
King Darius, do also after our custom in this matter."
Then Amyntas answered - "O, Persians! we have no such custom as
this; but with us men and women are kept apart. Nevertheless, since
you, who are our lords, wish it, this also shall be granted to
you."
When Amyntas had thus spoken, he bade some go and fetch the women.
And the women came at his call and took their seats in a row over
against the Persians. Then, when the Persians saw that the women
were fair and comely, they spoke again to Amyntas and said, that
"what had been done was not wise; for it had been better for the women
not to have come at all, than to come in this way, and not sit by
their sides, but remain over against them, the torment of their
eyes." So Amyntas was forced to bid the women sit side by side with
the Persians. The women did as he ordered; and then the Persians,
who had drunk more than they ought, began to put their hands on them,
and one even tried to give the woman next him a kiss.
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