Speech of the Scythian Ambassadors to
Alexander the Great
If your person
were as vast as your desires, the whole world would not contain you. Your right
hand would touch the east, and your left the west, at the same time. You grasp
at more than you are equal to. From Europe you reach Asia; from Asia you lay
hold on Europe. And if you should conquer all mankind, you seem disposed to
wage war with woods and snows, with rivers and wild beasts, and to subdue
nature.
But, have you
considered the usual course of things? Have you reflected that great trees are
many years in growing to their height, but are cut down in an hour? It is
foolish to think of the fruit only, without considering the height you have to
climb, to come at it. Take care lest, while you strive to reach the top, you
fall to the ground with the branches you have already laid hold on.
The lion, when dead,
is devoured by ravens; and rust consumes the hardness of iron. There is nothing
so strong, but it is in danger from what is weak. It will therefore be your
wisdom to take care how you venture beyond your reach.
Besides, what have you
to do with the Scythians, or the Scythians with you? We have never invaded
Macedon; why should you attack Scythia? We inhabit vast deserts, and pathless
woods, where we do not want to hear of the name of Alexander. We are not
disposed to submit to slavery, and we have no ambition to tyrannize over any
nation.
That you may
understand the genius of the Scvthians, we present you with a yoke of oxen, an
arrow, and a goblet. We use these respectively in our commerce with
friends and with foes. We give to our friends the corn, which we raise by the
labour of our oxen. With the goblet we join with them in pouring out drink offerings
to the gods, and with the arrows we attack our enemies.
You pretend to be the
punisher of robbers, and are yourself the greatest robber the world has ever
seen. You have taken Lydia: you have seized Syria: you are master of Persia:
you have subdued the Bactrians; and attacked India. All this will not satisfy
you, unless you lay your greedy and insatiable hands upon our flocks and our
herds.
How imprudent is your
conduct! You grasp at riches, the possession of which only increases your
avarice. You increase your hunger by what should have made you satisfied; so
that the more you have, the more you desire.