Key to Easy Latin Stories for beginners/Part I/VI
VI.— THE STORY OF ATYS.
Croesus has a bad dream about his son Atys.
16.Croesus, king of Lydia, had a son by name Atys. Croesus, in a dream, saw him pierced with an iron weapon, and sprinkled with blood. On awaking, he keeps his son at home; next he hides the javelins and spears in a chest
He purifies a man who comes to him stained with crime.
17.Meanwhile there arrived at Sardis a man involved in guilt. Croesus purified him, and received him kindly. Then he questions him in these words: ‘Who art thou? What man hast thou slain?’
The stranger tells his story — Croesus receives him as a friend.
18.The stranger replied as follows: ‘O king, I am the son of Gordias; moreover, my name Is Adrastus. I killed my brother by accident (lit against my will). Here I am, expelled by my father, deprived of all my property.’ Then said Croesos: “Thou art descended from friends, and hast come to friends.’ So he used to live in the palace of Croesus.
A huge toild boar ravages the country.
19.About the same time there appeared in Mount Olympus a wild boar of wonderful size. It began to ravage the territories of the Mysians.
The people beg Croesus to send his son to kill it.
20.The ambassadors of the Mysians came to Croesus saying these words: ‘O king! a boar of huge size has appeared in our district. He is destroying all the works of the husbandmen. Send your son and chosen youths and hounds, for we wish to remove the brute from our country.’
Croesus refuses.
21.To them making this prayer, Croesus, remembering his dream, replied as follows: ‘Of my son, indeed, make mention no more. For I cannot send him out with you. But I shall send a chosen band of Lydians and hounds.’
Atys implores his father to let him go.
22.Hearing the prayers of the Mysians, Atys comes in. He tries to move his father with these words: ‘Formerly, my father, this seemed to me most noble and glorious, (namely) to win honour in war and the chase. Therefore, do not keep me at home. What, pray, shall I seem to the citizens to be1 What kind of man shall I seem to my wife!’
Croesus gives his reasons for refusing.
23.Therefore, Croesus answered as follows: ‘My son, in a dream lately, I saw thee slain by an iron weapon. On this account, I am guarding thee at home.’
Atys urges him to let him go, and gives an explanation of the dream.
24.Again the young man spoke as follows: ‘You saw me pierced with an iron weapon. But what hands has a boar, pray, or what iron weapon? Nothing was said of an injury received from teeth. Wherefore, allow me to depart, my father.’
Oroesus at length gives way.
25.Then said Croesus, ‘My son, you overcome me, explaining the meaning of the dream. Therefore, I give you permission to go hunting.’
And gives him in charge to Adrastus.
26.After saying this, (he) summoned Adrastus, (and) addressed him as follows: ‘Adrastus, I purified thee when involved in guilt, and received thee into my house. Now, therefore, for thou oughtest to deserve well of me, be the guardian of my son (who is) going out to hunt.’ Admstus replied: ‘I am ready to perform your order. Thy son, king, with me for a guardian, will return safe.’
Adrastus kills Atys by accident, and fulfils the dream.
27.So they set out with chosen youths and hounds. Having found the beast, they attack it with javelins. By accident, Adrastus strikes the son of Croesus. Therefore, the latter, being struck by a weapon, fulfils the warning of the dream.
Croesus pardons him, but he commits suicide.
28.Croesus was horror-stricken when the death of his son was announced. Adrastus gave himself up to Croesus. ‘Slay me,’ said he, ‘over the dead body of thy son.’ To him (said) Croesus: ‘I pardon thee, Adrastus. You did it by accident (lit. unwillingly). Thou art not the originator of this evil, but some one of the gods. A dream told this to me long ago.' Adrastus, however, slew himself with his own hand (lit himself) over the tomb. But Croesus, bereaved of his son, remained in great grief for two years.