skilful of those nations in the art of war; and that they were encamped near a strong city, called Sangala. Alexander set out against these Indians, defeated them in a pitched battle, took the city, and rased it to the very foundations. One day, as he was riding at the head of his army, some philosophers,' called Brachmans in the language of that country, were conversing together as they were walking in a meadow. The instant they perceived him, they all stamped against the ground with their feet. Alexander, surprised at this extraordinary gesture, demanded the cause of it. They answered, pointing to the ground with their fingers, "That no man possessed any more of that element than he could enjoy: that the only difference between him and other men, was, that he was more restless and ambitious than they, and overran all seas and lands, merely to do harm to others and himself: and yet he would die at last, and possess no greater part of the earth than was necessary for his interment." The king was not displeased at this answer: but he was hurried on by the torrent of glory, and his actions were the very reverse of what he approved. also of the women of that country, who used to contest for the honour of dying with their common busband. This privilege was reserved for that wife whom the husband had loved most affectionately: and was given in her favour by the sentence of persons appointed for that purpose, who never gave judgment till such time as they had made a strict examination, and heard the allegations on all sides. The wife on whom the preference was bestowed, ran to meet death, and ascended the funeral pile with incredible resolu tion and joy: whilst the surviving wives withdrew in the deepest transports of affliction, and with their eyes bathed in tears. The description which Porphyry has left us of these philosophers, resembles in many particulars that given above. According to this author, the Brachmans live on herbs, roots, and fruits. They abstain from animals of every kind, and if they touch any, they thereby render themselves unclean. They spend the greatest part of the day and night in singing hymns in honour of their gods. They fast and pray perpetually. The greatest part of them live alone, and in the deepest solitude, and neither marry nor possess any thing, They wish for nothing so earnestly as death; and considering this life as a burden, they wait impatiently for the moment when the soul will be separated from the body. These philosophers exist still in India, where they are called Bramins: and retain, in many points, the tradition and tenets of the ancient Brachmans. These Brachmans, says Arrian, are held in great veneration in their country. They do not pay any tribute to the prince, but assist him with their counsel, and perform the same offices as the Magi do to the kings of Persia. They assist at the public sacrifices; and if a person desires to sacrifice in private, one of these must be present, otherwise the Indians are persuaded the sacrifices would not be agreeable to the gods. They apply themselves particularly to consult ing the stars; none but themselves exercise the art of divination; and they foretell, chiefly, the change of the weather and of the seasons. If a Brachman has failed thrice in his predictions, he is silenced for ever. Their sentiments, according to Strabo, are not very different from those of the Greeks. They believe that the world had a beginning; that it will end; that its form is circular; that it was created by God, who presides over and fills it with his majesty: and that water is the principle of all things. With regard to the immortality of the soul, and the punishment of the wicked in hell, they follow the doctrine of Plato; in-in which they at first had placed themselves, and termixing with it, like that philosopher, some fictions, in order to express or describe those punishments. Alexander passing near a city wherein several of these Brachmans dwelt, was very desirous to converse with them, and, if possible, to prevail with some of them to follow him. Being informed that these philosophers never made visits, but that those who had an inclination to see them must go to their houses, he concluded that it would be beneath his dignity to go to them, and not just to force these sages to any thing contrary to their laws and usages. Onesicritus, who was a great philosopher, and had been a disciple of Diogenes the Cynic, was deputed to them. He met not far from the city, with fifteen, who from morning till evening stood always naked, in the same posture afterwards returned to the city at night. He addressed himself first to Calanus, and told him the occasion of his coming. The latter, gazing upon Onesicritus's clothes and shoes, could not forbear laughing; after which he told him, "That anciently the earth had been covered with barley and wheat, as it was at that time with dust; that besides water, the rivers used to flow with milk, honey, oil, and wine; that man's guilt had occasioned a change of this happy condition; and that Jupiter, to punish their ingratitude, had sentenced them to a long, painful labour. That their repentance afterwards moving him to compassion, he had restored their former abundance; however, that by the course of things, they seemed to be returning to their ancient confusion." This relation shows evidently, that these philosophers had some notion of the felicity of the first man, and of the toil to which he had been sentenced for his sin. Several among them go always naked, whence the Greeks gave them the name of Gymnosophists. Many incredible particulars are related concerning the austerity of their lives, and their prodigious patience. Their only meat and drink is roots and water. As they admit the metempsychosis, and believe that the souls of men transmigrate from their bodies into those of beasts, they abstain from the flesh of animals. It is thought that Pythagoras borrowed this doctrine from the Brachmans. They continue whole days standing with their faces towards the sun, and that in the season when this luminary darts its rays with the greatest violence. Persuaded that it is beneath the dignity of a man to wait calmly for death, when he finds himself oppressed by age or sickness, they hold it glorious to anticipate their last hour, and burn themselves alive; and, indeed, they pay no honours to those who die After this conversation, Onesicritus spoke to Manmerely of old age; and imagine they would pollute danis, the eldest, and, as it were, the superior of the their funeral pile, and the fire that is to burn them to band. This Brachman said, "That he thought Alexashes, should they go into it otherwise than full of life ander worthy of admiration, in seeking thus for wisand vigour. Other Brachmans, more judicious and dom in the midst of the cares of his government: that humane than the former, live in cities, and associate he was the first, who had ever united in himself the with mankind: and so far from considering self-mur-two characters of conqueror and philosopher; that it der as a virtuous or brave action, they look upon it as were to be wished, that the latter character were the a weakness in man, not to wait patiently the stroke attribute of those who could inspire the wisdom which of death, and as a crime to dare to anticipate the will of the gods. Cicero admires, in his Tusculan questions, the invincible patience, not only of the Indian sages, but 1 Arrian. lib. vii. p. 275, 276. Id. in Indic. p. 324. Strab. lib. xv. p. 715-717. Plut. in Alex. p. 701. Quint. Curt. lib. viii. c. 9. 2 Mulieres in Indiâ, cùm est cujusque earum vir mortuus, in certamen judiciumque veniunt, quam plurimùm ille dilexerit: plures enim singulis solent esse nuptæ. Quæ est victrix, ea læta, prosequentibus suis unà cum viro in rogum imponitur: illa victa mœsta discedit. Tuse. Quest. lib. v. n. 78. Lib. de Abstin. Animal. Μόνον γὰρ ἴδοι αὐτὸν ἐν ὅπλοις φιλοσοφοῦντα. they themselves possessed, and enjoin it by their authority." He added, that he could not conceive the motive which had prompted Alexander to undertake so long and laborious a journey, nor what he came in search of, in so remote a country. We find by a circumstance which history has recorded, that this people used often to employ parables and similitudes for conveying their thoughts. One day as he was discoursing with Alexander, upon the maxims of wise policy and a prudent administration, he exhibited to that prince a sensible image and a natural emblem of his empire. He laid upon the ground a great ox-hide, which was very dry and shrunk up, and then set his foot upon one end of it. The hide being pressed so gave way, and all the other ends flew up: going thus quite round the hide, and pressing the several edges of it, he made him observe, that whilst he lowered it on one side all the rest rose up, till treading at last upon the middle, the hide fell equally on all sides. By this image he hinted to him, that it would be proper for him to reside in the centre of his dominions, and not undertake such long journeys. We shall soon show the reader the manner in which this philosopher ended his days. spread abroad many reports, purposely to terrify us ; but such discourses and artifices are not unusual to you. Thus the Persians described the straits of Cilicia, the vast plains of Mesopotamia, the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, as so many insurmountable difficulOnesicritus was very urgent with both of them to ties, and yet your bravery conquered them. Do you quit their austere way of life, and follow the fortune of repent you have followed me thus far? As your gloAlexander, saying, that they would find in him a ge-rious deeds have subdued for you a multitude of pronerous master and benefactor, who would heap upon vinces, as you have extended your conquests beyond them honours and riches of all kinds. Then Mandanis, the laxartes and Mount Caucasus; as you see the assuming a haughty, philosophical tone, answered, rivers of India flow through the midst of your empire; "That he did not want Alexander, and was the son why are you afraid of crossing the Hyphasis, and of of Jupiter as well as himself: that he was exempted setting up your trophies on the banks of it, as on those from want, desire, or fear; that so long as he should of the Hydaspes? What! can the elephants, whose live, the earth would furnish him all things necessary number is so falsely augmented, terrify you to such a for his subsistence, and that death would rid him of a degree? But has not experience taught you, that troublesome companion (meaning his body,) and set they are more destructive to their own masters than him at full liberty." Calanus was more tractable; to the enemy? Endeavours are used to intimidate and, notwithstanding the opposition, and even the you by the dreadful idea of innumerable armies; but prohibition, of his superior, who reproached him for are they more numerous than those of Darius? It is his abject spirit, in stooping so low as to serve another sure too late for you to count the legions of the enemaster besides God, he followed Onesicritus, and my, after your victories have made Asia a desert. It went to Alexander's court, who received him with was when you crossed the Hellespont that you ought great demonstrations of joy. to have reflected on the small number of our forces: but now the Scythians form part of our army; the Bactrians, the Sogdians, and the Dahæ, are with us, and fight for our glory. I, however, do not depend on those barbarians. It is on you only that I rely; your victorious arms alone are present to my imagination; and your courage alone ensures me success. So long as I shall be surrounded with you in fight, I shall not have any occasion to count the number of my troops nor that of the enemy, provided you go on to battle with the same marks of joy and confidence you have hitherto discovered. Not only our glory, but even our safety, is at stake. Should we now retreat, it will be supposed that we fly before our enemies, and from that moment we shall appear as mean as the enemy will be judged formidable; for you are sensible, that in war reputation is every thing. It is in my power to make use of authority, and yet I employ entreaties only. Do not abandon (I conjure you,) I do not say your king and master, but your pupil and companion Alexander' being determined to continue the war in arms. Do not break to pieces in my hand that as long as he should meet with new nations, and to glorious palm, which will soon, unless envy rob me of look upon them as enemies whilst they should live so great a glory, equal me to Hercules and to Bacindependently on him, was meditating about passing chus." As the soldiers stood with their eyes cast on the Hyphasis. He was told that after passing that the ground, and did not once open their lips, "What!" river, he must travel eleven days through deserts, and continued he, "do I then speak to the deaf? Will no that then he would arrive at the Ganges, the greatest one listen to me, nor condescend to answer? Alas! river in all India. That farther in the country lived I am abandoned, I am betrayed, I am delivered up to the Gangarida and the Prasii, whose king was pre- the enemy. But I will advance still farther, though paring to oppose his entering his dominions, at the I go alone. The Scythians and Bactrians, more faithhead of 20,000 horse, and 200,000 foot, reinforced by ful than you, will follow me whithersoever I lead 2000 chariots; and, which struck the greatest terror, them. Return then to your country, and boast, ye with 3000 elephants. A report of this being spread cowardly deserters of your king, that you have abanthrough the army, struck all the soldiers with conster-doned him. As for myself, I will here meet either with nation, and raised a general murmur. The Macedonians, who, after having traversed so many countries, and being grown gray in the field, were incessantly directing their eyes and wishes towards their dear native country, made loud complaints that Alexander should every day heap war upon war, and danger on danger. They had undergone, but just before, inexpressible fatigues, having been exposed to rain, accompanied with storms and thunder, for above two months. Some bewailed their calamities in such terms as raised compassion; others insolently cried aloud, that they would march no farther. Alexander, being informed of this tumult, and learning that secret assemblies were held in his camp, to prevent the ill consequences of them, sent for the officers into his tent, and commanding them to call the soldiers together, he made the following speech: "I am not ignorant, O soldiers, that the Indians have Quint. Curt. I. ix. c. 1-9. Arrian. 1. v. p. 221–234. & 1. vi. p. 235–259. Plut. in Alex. p. 699. 701. Diod. L. xvii. p. 559-570. Justin. l. xii. c. 9, 10. the victory you despair of, or with a glorious death, which henceforwards ought to be the sole object of my wishes." Notwithstanding this lively, pathetic speech, the soldiers still kept a profound silence. They waited in expectation of hearing their commanders and chief' officers remonstrate to the king, that their affection was as strong as ever; but that as their bodies were covered with wounds, and worn out with toils, it would be impossible for them to continue the war. However, not one of them presumed to address him in their favour. The example of Clitus, and that of Callisthenes, were still recent. The officers, who were then with him, had a hundred times ventured their lives in battle for their prince; but they had not the courage to hazard the losing of their fortunes by telling him the truth. Whilst therefore the soldiers, as well as officers, continued dumb, without once daring to lift up their eyes, there rose on a sudden a murmur, which increasing by insensible degrees, broke into such deep groans and floods of tears, that the king himself, whose anger was now changed into compassion, could not forbear weeping. At last, whilst the whole assembly were in tears, I and in deep silence, Conus took courage, and drew near to the throne, discovering by his air and action, that he desired to speak. And when the soldiers saw him take off his helmet, that being the custom when any person spoke to the king, they besought him to plead the cause of the array; and accordingly he spoke as follows: "No, Sir, we are not changed with regard to our affection for you: God forbid that so great a calamity should ever befall us. We still have and shall always retain the same zeal, the same affection and fidelity. We are ready to follow you at the hazard of our lives, and to march whithersoever you shall think fit to lead us. But if your soldiers may be allowed to lay before you their sentiments sincerely, and without disguise, they beseech you to condescend so far as to give ear to their respectful complaints, which nothing but the most extreme necessity could have extorted from them. The greatness, Sir, of your exploits has conquered, not only your enemies, but even your soldiers themselves. We have done all that it was possible for men to do. We have crossed seas and land. We shall soon have marched to the end of the world; and you are meditating the conquest of another, by going in search of new Indias, unknown to the Indians themselves. Such a thought may be worthy of your valour, but it surpasses ours, and our strength still more. Behold those ghastly faces, and those bodies covered over with wounds and scars. You are sensible how numerous we were at your first setting out, and you see what now remains of us. The few, who have escaped so many toils and dangers, have neither courage nor strength enough to follow you. All of them long to revisit their relations and country, and to enjoy in peace the fruit of their labours and your victories. Forgive them a desire natural to all men. It will be glorious, Sir, for you to have fixed such boundaries to your fortune, as only your moderation could prescribe you; and to have vanquished yourself, after having conquered all your enemies." attended with marks of vanity carried to an excess almost incredible. The altars which he erected in their honour were seventy-five feet high. He caused a camp to be marked out, three times as large again as his own, and surrounded it with fosses fifty feet in depth by ten broad. He ordered the foot to prepare, and leave each in his tent two beds, seven feet and a half in length; and the cavalry to make mangers for the horses of twice the usual dimensions. Every thing else was in proportion. Alexander's views in these orders, which flowed from an extravagance of vanity, was to leave posterity monuments of his heroic and more than human grandeur, and to have it be lieved, that himself and his followers were superior to all other mortals. He afterwards crossed the Hydraotes, and left Porus all the lands he had conquered, as far as the Hyphasis. He also reconciled this monarch with Taxilus, and settled a peace between them by means of an alliance equally advantageous to both. From thence he went and encamped on the banks of the Acesines;1 but great rains having made this river overflow its banks, and the adjacent countries being under water, he was obliged to remove his camp to a higher ground Here a fit of sickness carried off Coenus, whose loss was bewailed by the king and the whole army. There was not a greater officer among the Macedonians, and he had distinguished himself in a very peculiar manner in every battle in which he engaged. He was one of those singularly good men, zealous for the public welfare, all whose actions are free from self-interested or ambitious views, and who bear so great a love to their king, as to dare to tell him the truth, be the con sequence what it will. But now Alexander was preparing for his departure. His fleet consisted of 800 vessels, as well galleys as boats, to carry the troops and provisions. Every thing being ready, the whole army embarked, about the setting of the Pleiades, or seven stars, according to Ars tobulus, that is, about the end of October. The fifth day the fleet arrived where the Hydaspes and Acesines Conus had no sooner spoken, but there were heard, mix their streams. Here the ships were very much on all sides, cries and confused voices, intermixed shattered, because these rivers unite with such prodwith tears, calling upon the king as their lord and their gious rapidity, that as great storms arise in this part as father. Afterwards all the rest of the officers, espe- in the open sea. At last he came into the country of cially those whose age gave them a greater authority, the Oxydrace and the Malli, the most valiant people and a fairer excuse for the freedom they took, made in those parts. These were perpetually at war one the same humble request; but still the king would with another; but having united for their mutual not comply with it. It must cost a monarch many safety, they had drawn together 10,000 horse, and pangs, before he can prevail with himself to comply 80,000 foot, all vigorous young men, with 900 chewith things repugnant to his inclination. Alexander riots. However, Alexander defeated them in several therefore shut himself up two days in his tent, without engagements, dispossessed them of some strongholds, once speaking to any one, not even to his most fa- and at last marched against the city of the Oxydrace, miliar friends, in order to see whether some change whither the greatest part were retired. Immediately might not be wrought in the army, as frequently hap-he causes the scaling-ladders to be set up; and, as pens on such occasions. But finding it would be impossible to change the resolution of the soldiers, he commanded them to prepare for their return. This news filled the whole army with inexpressible joy; and Alexander never appeared greater, or more glorious, than on this day, in which he condescended, for the sake of his subjects, to sacrifice some part of his glory and grandeur. The whole camp echoed with praises and blessings of Alexander, for having suffered himself to be overcome by his own army, who was invincible by the rest of the world. No triumph is comparable to those acclamations and applauses that come from the heart, and which are the lively and sincere overflowings of it; and it is great pity that princes are not more affected with them. Alexander had not spent above A. M. 3678. three or four months, at most, in conAnt. J. C. 326. quering all the country between the Indus and the Hyphasis, called to this day The Penjah, which is, the five waters, from the five rivers which water it. Before his setting out, he raised twelve altars, to serve as so many trophies and thanksgivings for the victories he had obtained. These instances of gratitude towards the gods, were they were not nimble enough for Alexander, he forces one of the scaling-ladders from a soldier; runs up the first (covered with his shield) and gets to the top of the wall, followed only by Peucestes and Limneus. The soldiers anxious for his safety, mounted swiftly to succour him; but the ladders breaking, the king was left alone. Alexander, seeing himself the mark against which all the darts were levelled, both from the towers and from the rampart, was so rash, rather than valiant, as to leap into the city, which was crowded with the enemy, having nothing to expect but to be either taken or killed, before it would be possible for him to rise, and without once having an opportunity to defend himself, or revenge his death. But, happily for him, he poised his body in such a manner, that he fell upon his feet; and finding himself standing, sword in hand, he repulsed such as were nearest him, and even killed the general of the enemy, who advanced to run him through. Happily for him a second time, not far from thence stood a great tree, against the trunk of which he leaned, his shield receiving all the darts that were shot at him from a distance; for no one dared to ap 1 Arrian. in Ind. p. 319. Strab. lib. xv. p. 692. proach him, so great was the dread which the bold-| ness of the enterprise, and the fire that shot from his eyes had struck into the enemy. At last an Indian let fly an arrow three feet long (that being the length of their arrows,) which piercing his coat of mail, entered a considerable way into his body, a little above the right side. So great a quantity of blood issued from the wound, that he dropped his arms and lay as dead. Behold then this mighty conqueror, this vanquisher of nations, upon the point of losing his life, not at the head of his armies, not at the siege of any place of importance, but in a corner of an obscure city, into which his rashness had thrown him. The Indian who had wounded Alexander, ran, in the greatest transports of joy, to strip him; however, Alexander no soon felt the hand of his enemy upon him, but fired with the spirit of revenge, he recalled his spirits; and grappling with the Indian, as he had no arms, he plunged his dagger into his side. Some of his chief officers, as Peucestes, Leonates, and Timæus, who had got to the top of the wall with some soldiers, came up at that instant, and attempting impossibilities for the sake of saving their sovereign's life, they form themselves as a bulwark round his body, and sustain the whole effort of the enemy. It was then that a mighty battle was fought round him. In the mean time the soldiers, who had climbed up with the officers above-mentioned, having broken the bolts of a little gate, standing between two towers, they by that means let in the Macedonians. Soon after the town was taken, and all the inhabitants were put to the sword, without distinction of age or sex. Their first care was to carry Alexander into his tent. Being got into it, the surgeons, cut off, so very dexterously, the wood of the shaft which had been shot into his body, that they did not move the steel point; and after undressing him, they found it was a bearded arrow; and that it could not be pulled out, without danger, unless the wound were widened. The king bore the operation with incredible resolution, so that there was no occasion for people to hold him. The incision being made, and the arrow drawn out, so great an effusion of blood ensued, that the king fainted away. Every one thought him dead; but the blood being stopped, he recovered by degrees, and knew the persons about him. All that day, and the whole night after, the army continued under arms round his tent; and would not stir from their posts, till certain news was brought of his being better, and that he began to take a little rest. his At the end of the seven days he had employed for recovery, before his wound was closed, as he knew that the report of his death gained ground among the barbarians, he caused two vessels to be joined together, and had his tent pitched in the middle, in sight of every one, purposely to show himself to those who imagined him dead, and to ruin, by this means, all their projects and the hopes with which they flatHe afterwards went down the tered themselves. river, going before at some distance from the rest of the fleet, for fear lest the noise of the oars should keep him from sleep, which he very much wanted. When he was a little better, and able to go out, the soldiers who were upon guard brought him his litter, but he refused it, and calling for his horse, mounted him. At this sight, all the shore, and the neighbouring forests, echoed with the acclamations of the army, who imagined they saw him rise, in a manner, from the grave. Being come near his tent, he alighted, and walked a little way, surrounded with a great number of soldiers, some of whom kissed his hands, whilst others clasped his knees; others again were contented with only touching his clothes, and with seeing him; but all in general burst into tears, and calling for a thou 1 Plut. de fortun. Alex. p. 344. 2 In those ages they and physicians were the same thing. 3 So arrows are called that have beards at their points Like fish-hooks. Animadvertunt hamos inesse telo. 567 sand blessings from heaven, wished him long life, and At this instant deputies came from the Malli, with Alexander, who was overjoyed at this embassy, and found his strength increase daily, tasted with so much the greater pleasure the fruits both of his victory and health, as he had like to have lost them for ever. His chief courtiers, and most intimate friends, thought it a proper juncture, during this calm and serenity of mind, for them to unbosom themselves, and expose their fears to him: it was Craterus spoke on this oc"We begin, royal Sir, to breathe and live, casion. now we find you in the condition to which the goodness of the gods has restored you. But how great were our fears and our griefs! How severely did we reproach ourselves, for having abandoned, in such an extremity, our king, our father! It was not in our power to follow him; but this did not extenuate our guilt, and we look upon ourselves as criminals, in not having attempted impossibilities for your sake. But, Sir, never plunge us in such deep affliction hereafter. Does a wretched paltry town deserve to be bought at so dear a price as the loss of your life? Leave those petty exploits and enterprises to us, and preserve your person for such occasions only as are worthy of you. We still shudder with horror, when we reflect on what we so lately were spectators of. We have seen the moment, when the most abject hands upon earth were going to seize the greatest prince in the universe, and despoil him of his royal robes. Permit us, Sir, to say, you are not your own master, but that you owe yourself to us: we have a right over your life, since ours depends on it; and we dare take the freedom to conjure you, as being your subjects and your children, to be more careful of so precious a life, if not for your own sake, at least for ours, and for the felicity of the universe." The king was strongly touched with these testimonies of their affection, and having embraced them severally with inexpressible tenderness, he answered as follows: "I cannot enough thank all present, who are the flower of my citizens and friends, not only for your having this day preferred my safety to your own, but also for the strong proofs you have given me of your zeal and affection, from the beginning of this war; and if any thing is capable of making me wish for a longer life, it is the pleasure of enjoying, for years to come, such valuable friends as you. But give me leave to observe, that in some points we differ very much in opinion. You wish to enjoy me long; and even, it were possible, for ever; but as to myself, I compute the length of my existence, not by years, but by glory. I might have confined my ambition within the narrow limits of Macedonia; and, contented with the kingdom my ancestors left me, have waited, in the midst of pleasures and indolence, an inglorious old age. I own, that if my victories, not my years, are computed, I shall seem to have lived long; but can you imagine, that, after having made Europe and Asia but one empire, after having conit will quered the two noblest parts of the world, in the tenth become me to stop in the midst of so brilliant a cayear of my reign, and the thirtieth of my age, reer, and discontinue the pursuit of glory, to which I have entirely devoted myself? Know that this glory ennobles all things, and gives a true and solid grandeur to whatever appears insignificant. In what place soever I may fight, I shall fancy myself upon the stage of the world, and in presence of all mankind. I confess that I have achieved mighty things hitherto; but the country we are now in, reproaches me that a woman has done still greater. It is Semiramis I mean. How many nations did she conquer! How many cities were built by her! What magnificent and stupendous works did she finish! How shameful is it, that I should not yet have attained to her pitch of glory! Do but second my ardour, and I soon shall surpass her. Defend me only from secret cabals, and domestic treasons, by which most princes lose their lives. I take the rest upon myself, and will be answerable to you for all the events of the war." tongue, the same as Delta in Greek. Alexander caused a citadel to be built in Patala, as also a harbour, and an arsenal for the shipping. This being done, he embarked on the right arm of the river, in order to sail as far as the ocean, exposing in this manner so many brave men to the mercy of a river with which they were wholly unacquainted. The only consolation they had in this rash enterprise, was Alexander's uninterrupted success. When he had sailed twenty leagues, the pilots told him that they began to perceive the sea-air, and therefore believed that the ocean could not be far off. Upon this news, leaping for joy, he besought the sailors to row with all their strength, and told the soldiers, "That they at last were come to the end of their toils, which they had so earnestly desired; that now nothing could oppose their valour, nor add to their glory; that without fighting any more, or spilling of blood, they were masters of the universe; that their exploits had the same boundaries with nature; and that they would soon be spectators of things, known only to the immortal gods." This speech gives us a perfect idea of Alexander's character. He had no notion of true glory. He did not know either the principle, the rule, or end of it. He placed it where it certainly was not. The com- Being come nearer the sea, a circumstance new mon error was that which he adopted and cherished. and unheard of by the Macedonians, threw them into He fancied himself born merely for glory; and that the utmost confusion, and exposed the fleet to the none could be acquired but by unbounded, unjust, greatest danger; and this was the ebbing and flowand irregular conquests. In his impetuous sallies ing of the ocean. Forming a judgment of this vast after a mistaken glory, he followed neither reason, sea, from that of the Mediterranean, the only one they virtue, nor humanity; and, as if his ambitious ca- knew, and whose tides are imperceptible, they were price ought to have been a rule and standard to all very much astonished when they saw it rise to a other men, he was surprised that neither his officers great height, and overflow the country; and consinor soldiers would enter into his views, and lent them-dered it as a mark of the anger of the gods, who were selves very unwillingly to support his ridiculous enterprises. disposed to punish their rashness. They were no less surprised and terrified, some hours after, when they saw the ebbing of the sea, which now withdrew as it had before advanced, leaving those lands uncovered it had so lately overflowed. The fleet was very much shattered, and the ships being now upon dry land, the fields were covered with clothes, with broken oars and planks, as after a great storm. Alexander, after having ended his speech, dismissed the assembly, and continued encamped for several days in this place. He afterwards went upon the river, and his army marched after him along the banks. He then came among the Sabraca, a powerful nation of Indians. These had levied 60,000 foot and 6000 horse, and reinforced them with 500 cha- At last Alexander, after having spent full nine riots; however, the arrival of Alexander spread ter- months in coming down the rivers, arrived at the ror through the whole country, and accordingly they ocean; where gazing with the utmost eagerness upon sent ambassadors to make their submission. After that vast expanse of waters, he imagined that this having built another city, which he also called Alex- sight, worthy of so great a conqueror as himself, andria, he arrived in the territories of Musicanus, a greatly overpaid all the toils he had undergone, and very rich prince, and afterwards in those of king Sa- the many thousand men he had lost, to arrive at it. mus. At the siege of one of this king's towns, Pto- He then offered sacrifices to the gods, and particularly lemy was very dangerously wounded; for the Indians to Neptune; threw into the sea the bulls he had had poisoned all their arrows and swords, so that the slaughtered, and a great number of golden cups; wounds they made were mortal. Alexander, who and besought the gods not to suffer any mortal after had the highest love and esteem for Ptolemy, was him to exceed the bounds of his expedition. Finding very much afflicted, and caused him to be brought in that he had extended his conquests to the extrem his bed near him, that he himself might have an eye ties of the earth on that side, he imagined he had comto his cure. He was his near relation, and, accord-pleted his mighty design; and, highly delighted with ing to some writers, a natural son of Philip. Ptolemy was one of the bravest men in the army, was highly esteemed in war, and had still greater talents for peace. He was averse to luxury, vastly generous, and easy of access, and did not imitate the pomp, which wealth and prosperity had made the rest of the Macedonian noblemen assume: in a word, it is hard to say, whether he were more esteemed by his sovereign or his country. We are told there appeared to Alexander, in a dream, a dragon, which presented him an herb, as an effectual remedy for his friend's wound; and that upon his waking, he ordered it to be sent for; when laying it upon the wound, it was healed in a few days, to the universal joy of the army. The king continuing his voyage,' arrived at Patala about the rising of the dog-star, that is, about the end of July, so that the fleet was nine months at least from its setting out, till its arrival at that place. There the river Indus divides into two large arms, and forms an island, but much larger, like the Delta of the Nile; and hence the city above-mentioned received its name, Patala, according to Arrian, signifying, in the Indian Strab. L. xv. p. 692. himself, he returned to rejoin the rest of his fleet and army, which waited for him at Patala, and in the neighbourhood of that place. SECTION XVII.-ALEXANDER, IN HIS MARCH THROUGH DESERTS, IS GRIEVOUSLY DISTRESSED BY ALEXANDER being returned to Patala, prepared all things for the departure of his fleet. He appointed Nearchus admiral of it, who was the only officer 3 Four hundred furlongs. 4 Arrian. in Indic. p. 334. |