第 5 节
作者:垃圾王      更新:2021-04-30 16:08      字数:3627
  king ought to appear; and to be heard and judged by the people。 But
  this clamour; instead of preventing; hastened his death; his enemies
  fearing; if the tumult should increase; he might be rescued during the
  night out of their hands。
  Agis; being now at the point to die; perceived one of the officers
  bitterly bewailing his misfortune; 〃Weep not; friend;〃 said he; 〃for
  me; who die innocent; by the lawless act of wicked men。 My condition
  is much better than theirs。〃 As soon as he had spoken these words; not
  showing the least sign of fear; he offered his neck to the noose。
  Immediately after he was dead; Amphares went out of the prison gate;
  where he found Agesistrata; who; believing him still the same friend
  as before; threw herself at his feet。 He gently raised her up; and
  assured her; she need not fear any further violence or danger of death
  for her son; and that if pleased she might go in and see him。 She
  begged her mother might also have the favour to be admitted; and he
  replied; nobody should hinder it。 When they were entered; he commanded
  the gate should again be locked; and Archidamia; the grandmother; to
  be first introduced。 She was now grown very old; and had lived all her
  days in the highest repute among her fellows。 As soon as Amphares
  thought she was despatched; he told Agesistrata she might now go in if
  she pleased。 She entered; and beholding her son's body stretched on
  the ground; and her mother hanging by the neck; the first thing she
  did was; with her own hands; to assist the officers in taking down the
  body; then covering it decently; she laid it out by her son's; whom
  then embracing and kissing his cheeks; 〃O my son;〃 said she; 〃it was
  thy too great mercy and goodness which brought thee and us to ruin。〃
  Amphares; who stood watching behind the door; on hearing this; broke
  in; and said angrily to her; 〃Since you approve so well of your
  son's actions; it is fit you should partake in his reward。〃 She;
  rising up to offer herself to the noose; said only; 〃I pray that it
  may redound to the good of Sparta。〃
  The three bodies being now exposed to view; and the fact divulged;
  no fear was strong enough to hinder the people from expressing their
  abhorrence of what was done; and their detestation of Leonidas and
  Amphares; the contrivers of it。 So wicked and barbarous an act had
  never been committed in Sparta since first the Dorians inhabited
  Peloponnesus; the very enemies in war; they said; were always cautious
  in spilling the blood of a Lacedaemonian king; insomuch that in any
  combat they would decline; and endeavour to avoid them; from
  feelings of respect and reverence for their station。 And certainly
  we see that in the many battles fought betwixt the Lacedaemonians
  and the other Greeks; up to the time of Philip of Macedon; not one
  of their kings was ever killed; except Cleombrotus by a
  javelin…wound at the battle of Leuctra。 I am not ignorant that the
  Messenians affirm; Theopompus was also slain by their Aristomenes; but
  the Lacedaemonians deny it; and say he was only wounded。
  Be it as it will; it is certain at least that Agis was the first
  king put to death in Lacedaemon by the ephors; for having undertaken a
  design noble in itself and worthy of his country; at a time of life
  when men's errors usually meet with an easy pardon。 And if errors he
  did commit; his enemies certainly had less reason to blame him than
  had his friends for that gentle and compassionate temper which made
  him save the life of Leonidas and believe in other men's professions。
  THE END