"I reflect," said he to Artabanus, "on the transitory limit of human life.

I compassionate this vast multitude--a hundred years hence, which of them will still be a living man ?" Artabanus replied like a philosopher, "that the shortness of life was not its greatest evil; that misfortune and disease imbittered the possession, and that death was often the happiest refuge of the living." [54] At early daybreak, while the army yet waited the rising of the sun, they burnt perfumes on the bridge, and strewed it with branches of the triumphal myrtle.

As the sun lifted himself above the east, Xerxes poured a libation into the sea, and addressing the rising orb, implored prosperity to the Persian arms, until they should have vanquished the whole of Europe, even to the remotest ends.

Then casting the cup, with a Persian cimeter, into the sea, the signal was given for the army to commence the march.

Seven days and seven nights were consumed in the passage of that prodigious armament.
IX.