he knew not
what answer to make to it. Dakianos, to deliver the King from the
perplexity he was in, rose from his place, touched the ground with his
head, and endeavoured to restore his spirits.

"The letter of the Emperor of Greece," said he, "ought not to afflict
you: it is easy to answer it, and to make him repent his menaces and
his insolence. Order your most faithful subjects to join with me, who
am the humblest of your slaves; I shall inform them what they have to
do."

These words consoled the King: he gave his orders in pursuance of
them, and Dakianos raised above a hundred thousand men for the King,
whilst on his side he assembled ten thousand more, whom he equipped at
his own expense. The King joined to this chosen troop two thousand of
the most valiant soldiers, whom he had always had near his own person,
and of whom he formed the guard of Dakianos, and declared him general
of this army of one hundred and twelve thousand men. The new general
took leave of the King, and put himself at the head of his troops,
which served as an escort to all his riches, which he took care to
convey along with him, and which ten thousand camels could scarce
carry. The King of Persia, who parted from his Vizier with regret,
accompanied him for three days, and quitted him with tears in his
eyes, giving him a thousand benedictions, and repeating to him a
thousand times that he was his strength, his support, and, what was
much more, the only friend of his heart. Dakianos chose out the most
warlike men in all the cities through which he passed, equipped them
at his own expense, and gave them whatever pay they demanded. The
report which was spread abroad of this magnificence drew together men
from all parts of the world, and his army was in a short time
increased to three hundred thousand soldiers.

The Emperor of Greece, upon the news he had of the Persian army,
immediately assembled his troops, and advanced to meet Dakianos with
seven hundred thousand men. As soon as he perceived the enemy, he
divided his army into two bodies, and gave the signal for battle. The
troops of Dakianos acted with so much valour, and their first onset
was so terrible, that the army of the Grecians had not time to recover
themselves, and they were almost as soon defeated as attacked.
Dakianos ordered the Grecian Emperor, whom he had taken prisoner, to
be beheaded, and without the least difficulty made himself master of
all his dominions, of which he ca