t that time dwelt in Lacedemon for his uprightness: and
we relate that in due time 75 it happened to him thus:--a man of Miletos
came to Sparta and desired to have speech with him, alleging the reasons
which follow: 'I am a Milesian,' he said, 'and I am come hither desiring
to have benefit from thy uprightness, Glaucos; for as there was much
report of thy uprightness throughout all the rest of Hellas and also in
Ionia, I considered with myself that Ionia is ever in danger, whereas
Peloponnesus is safely established, and also that we never see wealth
continue in the possession of the same persons long;--reflecting, I say,
on these things and taking counsel with myself, I resolved to turn into
money the half of my possessions, and to place it with thee, being well
assured that if it were placed with thee I should have it safe. Do
thou therefore, I pray thee, receive the money, and take and keep these
tallies; and whosoever shall ask for the money back having the tokens
answering to these, to him do thou restore it.' (b) The stranger who had
come from Miletos said so much; and Glaucos accepted the deposit on the
terms proposed. Then after a long time had gone by, there came to Sparta
the sons of him who had deposited the money with Glaucos; and they came
to speech with Glaucos, and producing the tokens asked for the money to
be given back: but he repulsed them answering them again thus: 'I do not
remember the matter, nor does my mind bring back to me any knowledge of
those things whereof ye speak; but I desire to recollect and do all that
is just; for if I received it, I desire to restore it honestly; and if
on the other hand I did not receive it at all, I will act towards you
in accordance with the customs of the Hellenes: 76 therefore I defer
the settling of the matter with you for three months from now.' (c) The
Milesians accordingly went away grieved, for they supposed that they had
been robbed of the money; but Glaucos set forth to Delphi to consult the
Oracle: and when he inquired of the Oracle whether he should rob them
of the money by an oath, the Pythian prophetess rebuked him with these
lines:

"'Glaucos, thou, Epikydes' son, yea, this for the moment,
This, to conquer their word by an oath and to rob, is more gainful.
Swear, since the lot of death waits also for him who swears truly.
But know thou that Oath has a son, one nameless and handless and
footless, Yet without feet he pursues, without hand