The guards came forward and began to lead away the trembling wretches.
“Stay!” cried Arion. “It is I who am king. Did not your majesty stake your crown against my lute, and can the royal word be broken? Back, guards! I claim my wager.”
Periander could not refrain from laughter, but confessed himself beaten by this piece of strategy. “The wit of Arion,” he said, “is stronger than the tears of repentance. Release the prisoners!”
“That being so,” said Arion, “and seeing that I find myself more easy with the lute, I will restore the royal crown to Periander.”
So the men were set at liberty, after having restored the property of Arion, and departed full of gratitude, invoking blessings on his head.
And lest any man should doubt the truth of the story in time to come, Arion erected at Tænarus a statue in bronze, representing a man riding on a dolphin’s back.
[STORIES FROM LIVY]
[Romulus, Founder of Rome]
Adapted by Alfred J. Church