them, seven days have passed (and what could be done
more quickly than this?) and now coming into thy presence
I find these things accomplished by thee against my
fatherland; but these men, having already lost all
that is most valuable, thereafter have only one struggle
to engage in—that for life—and
have come, I think, so to be masters of the situation
that they can no longer be compelled to pay thee any
of the money. For to pay a thing which one does
not possess could not be made possible for a man by
any device. From of old indeed have the names
of things been well and suitably distinguished by
men; and among these distinctions is this, that want
of power is separated from want of consideration.
For when the latter by reason of intemperance of mind
proceeds to resistance, it is accustomed to be detested,
as is natural, but when the former, because of the
impossibility of performing a service, is driven to
the same point, it deserves to be pitied. Permit,
therefore, O King, that, while we receive as our portion
all the direst misfortunes, we may take with us this
consolation at least, that we should not seem to have
been ourselves responsible for the things which have
befallen us. And as for money, consider that
what thou hast taken into thy possession is sufficient
for thee, not weighing this by thy position, but with
regard to the power of the Beroeans. But beyond
this do not force us in any way, lest perchance thou
shouldst seem unable to accomplish the thing to which
thou hast set thy hand; for excess is always punished
by meeting obstacles that cannot be overcome, and
the best course is not to essay the impossible.
Let this, then, be my defence for the moment in behalf
of these men. But if I should be able to have
converse with the sufferers, I should have something
else also to say which has now escaped me.”
So spoke Megas, and Chosroes permitted him to go into
the acropolis. And when he had gone there and
learned all that had happened concerning the spring,
weeping he came again before Chosroes, and lying prone
on the ground insisted that no money at all was left
to the Beroeans, and entreated him to grant him only
the lives of the men. Moved by the tearful entreaties
of the man Chosroes fulfilled his request, and binding
himself by an oath, gave pledges to all on the acropolis.
Then the Beroeans, after coming into such great danger,
left the acropolis free from harm, and departing went
each his own way. Among the soldiers some few
followed them, but the majority came as willing deserters
to Chosroes, putting forth as their grievance that
the government owed them their pay for a long time;
and with him they later went into the land of Persia.