khion eudein boulephoron
andra}, "to sleep all night through beseemeth not one that is a
counsellor."--W. Leaf.

And, as touching the things of Aphrodite, if for nothing else, at any
rate for the marvel of it, the self-restraint of the man deserves to
be put on record. It is easy to say that to abstain from that which
excites no desire is but human; yet in the case of Megabates, the son
of Spithridates, he was moved by as genuine a love as any passionate
soul may feel for what is lovely. Now, it being a national custom
among the Persians to salute those whom they honour with a kiss,
Megabates endeavoured so to salute Agesilaus, but the latter with much
show of battle, resisted--"No kiss might he accept." (3) I ask whether
such an incident does not reveal on the face of it the self-respect of
the man, and that of no vulgar order. (4) Megabates, who looked upon
himself as in some sense dishonoured, for the future endeavoured not
to offend in like sort again. (5) Whereupon Agesilaus appealed to one
who was his comrade to persuade Megabates again to honour him with his
regard; and the comrade, so appealed to, demanding, "If I persuade
him, will you bestow on him a kiss?" Agesilaus fell into a silence,
but presently exclaimed: "No, by the Twins, not if I might this very
instant become the swiftest-footed, strongest, and handsomest of
men. (6) And as to that battle I swear by all the gods I would far
rather fight it over again than that everything on which I set my eyes
might turn to gold." (7)

(3) See Plut. "Ages." (Clough, iv. p. 13 foll.)

(4) Reading, {kai lian gennikon}; or, "a refinement of self-respect,"
"a self-respect perhaps even over-sensitive."

(5) Lit. "made no further attempt to offer kisses."

(6) See Plut. "Ages." ii. (Clough, iv. p. 2): "He is said to have been
a little man of a contemptible presence."

(7) See Plut. "Ages." xi. (Clough, iv. p. 14); "Parall. Min." v; Ovid.
"Met." xi. 102 foll.

What construction some will put upon the story I am well aware, but
for myself I am persuaded that many more people can master their
enemeis than the foes we speak of. (8) Doubtless such incidents when
known to but few may well be discredited by many, but here we are in
the region of establishing facts, seeing that the more illustrious a
man is the less can his every act escape notice. As to Agesilaus no
eye-witness has ever reported any unworthy behaviour, nor, had he
invented it