DAMON AND PYTHIAS

DAMON AND PYTHIAS
A YOUNG man whose name was Pythias had done something which the
tyrant Dionysius did not like. For this offense he was dragged to prison,
and a day was set when he should be put to death. His home was far
away, and he wanted very much to see his father and mother and friends
before he died.
"Only give me leave to go home and say good-by to those whom I love," he
said, "and then I will come back and give up my life."
The tyrant laughed at him.
"How can I know that you will keep your promise?" he said. "You only
want to cheat me, and save yourself."
Then a young man whose name was Damon spoke and said,—
"O king! put me in prison in place of my friend Pythias, and let him go to
his own country to put his affairs in order, and to bid his friends farewell.
I know that he will come back as he promised, for he is a man who has
never broken his word. But if he is not here on the day which you have
set, then I will die in his stead."
The tyrant was surprised that anybody should make such an offer. He at
last agreed to let Pythias go, and gave orders that the young man
should be shut up in prison.
Time passed, and by and by the day drew near which had been set for
Pythias to die; and he had not come back. The tyrant ordered the jailer
to keep close watch upon Damon, and not let him escape. But Damon did
not try to escape. He still had faith in the truth and honor of his friend.
He said, "If Pythias does not come back in time, it will not be his fault. It
will be because he is hindered against his will."
At last the day came, and then the very hour. Damon was ready to die.
His trust in his friend was as firm as ever; and he said that he did not
grieve at having to suffer for one whom he loved so much.
Then the jailer came to lead him to his death; but at the same moment
Pythias stood in the door. He had been delayed by storms and shipwreck,
and he had feared that he was too late. He greeted Damon kindly, and
then gave himself into the hands of the jailer. He was happy because he
thought that he had come in time, even though it was at the last
moment.
The tyrant was not so bad but that he could see good in others. He felt
that men who loved and trusted each other, as did Damon and Pythias,
ought not to suffer unjustly. And so he set them both free.
"I would give all my wealth to have one such friend," he said.