CHAPTER VI.

FROM THE DEATH OF MILTIADES, TO THE RETREAT OF XERXES OUT OF GREECE.

THE misfortunes of Darius only served to increase his resentment, and give spirit to his perseverance. Finding the ill success of his generals, he resolved to try the war in person, and dispatched orders throughout the whole dominions for fresh preparations. However, a revelt in Egypt for a while averted his resentment; a contest among his sons about nominating his successor, still farther retarded his designs; and at last, when he had surmounted every obstacle, and was just preparing to take a signal vengeance, his death put an end to all his projects, and gave Greece a longer time for preparation.

Xerxes, his son, succeeded, who, with the empire, inherited also his father's animosity against Greece. Having carried on a successful expedition against Egypt, he expected the same good fortune in Europe. Confident of victory, he did not chuse, he said, for the future, to buy the figs of Attica; he would possess himself of the country, and thus have figs of his own. But before he engaged in an enterprize of that importance, he thought proper to assemble his

council, and collect the opinions of the principal officers of his court. In his speech at opening the council, he evidently shewed his desire of revenge, and his passion for military glory. The best way, therefore, to pay court to this young monarch, was by flattering him in his favourite pursuits, and giving his impetuous aims the air of studied designs. Mardonius, grown neither wiser nor less ambitious, by his own bad success, began by extolling Xerxes above all other kings that had gone before. He urged the indispensable necessity of avenging the dishonour done to the Persian name; he represented the Greeks as cowards, that were accidentally successful; and was firmly of opinion, that they would never more stand even the hazard of a battle. A discourse that so nearly coincided with his own sentiments, was very pleasing to the young monarch; and the rest of the company, by their looks and their silence, seemed to applaud his impetuosity. But Artabanus, the king's uncle, who had long learned to reverence courage, even in an enemy, and presuming upon his age and experience to speak his real sentiments, rose with an honest freedom to represent the intended expedition in its true light. "Permit me, sir," said he, "to deliver "my sentiments upon this occasion, with a liberty suitable to my age, and your interest. "When Darius, your father and, my brother, "first thought of making war against the Scy

"thians, I used all my endeavour to divert him "from it. The people you are going to attack "are infinitely more formidable than they. If "the Athenians alone could defeat the nume"rous army commanded by Datis and Artaphernes, what ought we to expect from an opposition of all the states of Greece united? "You design to pass from Asia into Europe,

by laying a bridge over the sea. But what if "the Athenians should advance and destroy this

bridge, and so prevent our return? Let us "not expose ourselves to such dangers, as we "have no sufficient motives to compel us to "face them; at least, let us take time to reflect upon it. When we have maturely deliberated upon an affair, whatever happens to be the "success of it, we have nothing to regret. Pre

cipitation is imprudent, and is usually unsuc"cessful. Above all, do not suffer yourself, "great prince, to be dazzled with the splendor "of imaginary glory. The highest and the "most lofty trees have the most reason to dread "the thunder. God loves to humble the osten"tatious, and reserves to himself alone the pride "of importance. As for As for you, Mardonius, who "so earnestly urge this expedition, if it must "be so, lead it forward. But let the king, "whose life is dear to us all, return back to "Persia. In the mean time, let your children "and mine be given up as a pledge, to answer "for the success of the war. If the issue be

favourable, I consent that mine be put to "death; but if it be otherwise, as I well fore

see, then I desire that you and your children may meet the reward of rashness."

This advice, which was rather sincere than palatable, was received by Xerxes with a degree of rage and resentment. "Thank the

gods," cried he, "that thou art my father's "brother: were it not for that, thou shouldst "this moment meet the just reward of thy auda"cious behaviour. But you shall have your "punishment. Remain here behind, among "the women; these you but too much resem"ble in your cowardice and fear. Stay here, "while I march at the head of my troops, where

my duty and glory call me." Upon cooler thoughts, however, Xerxes seemed better reconciled to his uncle's opinion. When the first emotions of his anger were over, and he had time to reflect on his pillow upon the different counsels that were given him, he confessed the rashness of his former rebuke, and ingenuously scribed it to heat of youth, and the ardour of passion. He offered to come over to his opinion, at the same time assuring the council, that from his dreams he had every encouragement to proceed with the expedition. So much condescension on the one hand, and such favourable omens on the other, determined the whole council to second his inclinations. They fell prostrate before him, eager to shew their submission

and their joy. A monarch thus surrounded by flatterers, all striving which should most gratify his pride and passions, could not long continue good, though naturally inclined to virtue. Xerxes, therefore, seems a character thus ruined by power; exerting his natural justice and wisdom at short intervals, but then giving way to the most culpable and extravagant excesses. Thus, the council of Artabanus being rejected, and that of Mardonius favourably received, the most extensive preparations were made for carrying on the war.

The greatness of these preparations seemed to shew the high sense which the Persians had of their enemy. Xerxes, that he might omit nothing conducive to success, entered into an alliance with the Carthaginians, who were, at that time, the most potent people of the West; with whom it was stipulated, that while the Persian forces should attack Greece, the Carthaginians should awe the Greek colonies, dispersed over the Mediterranean, from coming to their assistance. Thus having drained all the East to compose his own army, and the West to supply that of the Carthaginians under Amilcar, he set out from Susa in order to enter upon this war, ten years after the battle of Marathon.

A. M. 3523.

Sardis was the place where the various nations that were compelled to his banner were to assemble. His fleet was to advance along the