of his intimates said pleasantly, "You certainly trust your life with
him;" and as the young man happened to smile at this, he ordered them both
to be slain, the one for showing how he might be taken off, the other for
approving of what had been said by smiling. But he was so concerned at
what he had done, that nothing affected him more during his whole life;
for he had slain one to whom he was extremely partial. Thus do weak men's
desires pull them different ways, and whilst they indulge one, they act
counter to another.

XXI. This tyrant, however, showed himself how happy he really was: for
once, when Damocles, one of his flatterers, was dilating in conversation
on his forces, his wealth, the greatness of his power, the plenty he
enjoyed, the grandeur of his royal palaces, and maintaining that no one
was ever happier,--"Have you an inclination," said he, "Damocles, as this
kind of life pleases you, to have a taste of it yourself, and to make a
trial of the good fortune that attends me?" And when he said that he
should like it extremely, Dionysius ordered him to be laid on a bed of
gold with the most beautiful covering, embroidered and wrought with the
most exquisite work, and he dressed out a great many sideboards with
silver and embossed gold. He then ordered some youths, distinguished for
their handsome persons, to wait at his table, and to observe his nod, in
order to serve him with what he wanted. There were ointments and garlands;
perfumes were burned; tables provided with the most exquisite meats.
Damocles thought himself very happy. In the midst of this apparatus,
Dionysius ordered a bright sword to be let down from the ceiling,
suspended by a single horsehair, so as to hang over the head of that happy
man. After which he neither cast his eye on those handsome waiters, nor on
the well wrought plate; nor touched any of the provisions: presently the
garlands fell to pieces. At last he entreated the tyrant to give him leave
to go, for that now he had no desire to be happy.(110) Does not Dionysius,
then, seem to have declared there can be no happiness for one who is under
constant apprehensions? But it was not now in his power to return to
justice, and restore his citizens their rights and privileges; for, by the
indiscretion of youth, he had engaged in so many wrong steps, and
committed such extravagances, that had he attempted to have returned to a
right way of thinking he must have endangered his life.

XXII. Y