The Sword of Damocles

by James Baldwin

　　

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There was once a king whose name was Di-o-nys´i-us. He was so unjustand cruel that he won for himself the name of tyrant. He knew thatalmost everybody hated him, and so he was always in dread lest someone should take his life.But he was very rich, and he lived in a fine palace where there weremany beautiful and costly things, and he was waited upon by a host ofservants who were always ready to do his bidding. One day a friend ofhis, whose name was Dam´o-cles, said to him,--"How happy you must be! You have here everything that any man couldwish.""Perhaps you would like to change places with me," said the tyrant."No, not that, O king!" said Dam-o-cles; "but I think, that, if Icould only have your riches and your pleas-ures for one day, I shouldnot want any greater hap-pi-ness.""Very well," said the tyrant. "You shall have them."And so, the next day, Damocles was led into the palace, and all theservants were bidden to treat him as their master. He sat down at atable in the banquet hall, and rich foods were placed before him.Nothing was wanting that could give him pleasure. There were costlywines, and beautiful flowers, and rare perfumes, and de-light-fulmusic. He rested himself among soft cushions, and felt that he was thehappiest man in all the world.Then he chanced to raise his eyes toward the ceiling. What was it thatwas dangling above him, with its point almost touching his head? Itwas a sharp sword, and it was hung by only a single horse-hair. Whatif the hair should break? There was danger every moment that it woulddo so.The smile faded from the lips of Damocles. His face became ashy pale.His hands trembled. He wanted no more food; he could drink no morewine; he took no more delight in the music. He longed to be out of thepalace, and away, he cared not where."What is the matter?" said the tyrant."That sword! that sword!" cried Damocles. He was so badly frightenedthat he dared not move."Yes," said Di-o-nys-i-us, "I know there is a sword above your head,and that it may fall at any moment. But why should that trouble you? Ihave a sword over my head all the time. I am every moment in dreadlest something may cause me to lose my life.""Let me go," said Damocles. "I now see that I was mis-tak-en, and thatthe rich and pow-er-ful are not so happy as they seem. Let me go backto my old home in the poor little cot-tage among the mountains."And so long as he lived, he never again wanted to be rich, or tochange places, even for a moment, with the king.

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