20
Alexander the Great asked Dionides, a famous Pirate, who was brought Prisoner to him, why he was so bold as to rob and plunder in his Seas, he answered, that he did it for his Profit, and as Alexander himself was used to do; but because I do it, added he, with one single Gally, I am called a Pirate: But you Sir, Who do it with a great Army are called a King. That bold Answer so pleased Alexander that he gave him his Liberty, at that very instant.
20
Alexandre le grand demandoit â Dionides fameux Corsaire qui luy avoit été amené prisonnier, pour quelle raison il avoir été si hardy que de pirater & de faire des courses sur ses Mers; il répondit, que c’ètoit pour son profit, & comme Alexandre avoit coûtume de faire lui même, mais parce que je le fais, ajouta-til, avec une seule Galere, l’on m’appelle Corsaire; mais vous, Seigneur, qui le faites avec une grande Armée, l’on vous appelle Roy. Cette réponse hardie plût tant à Alexandre, qu’il lui donna aussi tôt la liberté.
21
Darius King of Persia sent great Presents to Epaminondas, General of the Thebans, with design to tamper with him: If Darius, said this great Captain to those that brought those Presents to him, has a mind to be Friends with the Thebans, he need not buy my Friendship; and if he has other Thoughts, he has not Riches enough to corrupt me; and so he sent them back.
21
Darius Roy de Perse, envoya de grands Presents à Epaminondas, Chef des Thebains, pour tâcher de le corrompre: Si Darius veut être Ami des Thebains, dit ce grand Capitaine à ceux qui les lui portoient, il n’est pas nécessaire qu’il achete mon amitié; & s’il a d’autres sentiments, il n’est pas assez riche pour me corrompre. Et ainsi il les renvoya.
22
Corax promised Tisias to teach him Rhetorick, and Tisias on his side engaged to give him a Reward for it; but when he had learnt it, he refused to satisfy him: Corax therefore called him before the Judge; Tisias trusting to the subtilty of his Rhetorick, asked him what Rhetorick consisted in: Corax answered in the Art of Perswading. Then said Tisias, If I can perswade the Judge that I ought to give you nothing, I’ll pay you nothing, because you will be cast; and if I do not perswade them, I shan’t pay you neither; because I have not learnt how to perswade; therefore your best way is to relinquish your enterprize. But Corax, who was more subtle than he, resumed the Argument in this Manner, if you perswade the Judges you ought to pay me; because you have learnt Rhetorick; if you do not perswade them, you must pay me likewise, because you will be cast; so let it be how it will you ought to satisfy me.