Wondering at this saying, Croesus asks, ‘For what reason, pray, do you think Tellus the happiest?’ To whom said Solon, ‘Tellus (with) the State flourishing, had had sons, good and honourable men, and free sons of his sons, and all of them surviving; and the same man had a glorious end, for he was slain while fighting most gallantly in a battle in defence of his country, after the enemy had been utterly defeated. Then he was buried in the same place by Athenians, praising (him as) a most distinguished man.’ Then Croesus said, ‘Who, pray, is the second happiest you have seen?’
Cleobis and Biton.
80.But the other said, ‘Cleobis and Biton. For these had a sufficient provision, and great strength of body. They are also said, going under the yoke themselves, to have drawn their mother in a waggon to the temple of Juno, for the oxen from the farm were not at hand. After doing this, they ended their life most gloriously. For when all were praising the strength of the youths, and saying that the mother of such sons was a happy (woman), then their mother, standing before the image of the goddess, prayed in these words: “O goddess, give the best reward to my sons, Cleobis and Biton.” After the sacriflce had been offered, the youths having feasted, gave themselves up to slumber, and in the morning were found dead. Then the citizens placed in the temple of the goddess the statues of the same, as (those) of very distinguished men.’
The fall of Croesus foretold.
81.Cyrus, king of the Persians, had undertaken an expedition against Croesus. Meanwhile, a portent of the following nature was vouchsafed to Croesus. Avast multitude of serpents appeared near the city. The horses, leaving their usual food, devoured a great quantity of these. That seemed to Croesus to be a portent, therefore, he at once sent men, ordered to consult the soothsayers. To these, the soothsayers said, ‘A foreign army will invade the territory of Croesus, and overwhelm the inhabitants; for the serpents are the sons of the land, but the horses are enemies and foreigners.’ And these things, indeed,
