Chapter Alexander and Clitus to Alfred as a Gleeman of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Alexander and Clitus to Alfred as a Gleeman

Alexander and Clitus. Cli tus was Alexander’s great friend, and saved his life in the battle of Granicus (B.C. 334). In 328 he was slain by Alexander at a banquet, when both were heated with wine.

The above reminds us of Peter I. of Russia and Lefort. Lefort, a Swiss, was the great friend of Peter I., and accompanied him in his travels, when he visited various European capitals to learn the art of government. At Königsberg, while both were heated with wine, Peter threw himself on his friend, Lefort, and pierced him with his sword. No sooner had he done so than he repented, and exclaimed, “I, who want to reform my nation, cannot reform myself.”

Clitus (to Alexander). Nay, frown not so; you cannot look me dead.—Lee’s Tragedy.

Alexander and the Daughters of Darius. After the battle of Issus, in 333, the family of Darius fell into his hands, and he treated the ladies as queens. A eunuch, having escaped, told Darius of this noble conduct, and Darius could not but admire such magnanimity in a rival.—Arrian: Anabasis of Alexander, iv. 20.

Alexander and Diogenes. One day the king of Macedon presented himself before Diogenes the cynic, and said, “I am Alexander.” “Well,” replied the master of the tub, “and I am Diogenes.” When the king asked if he could render him any service, Diogenes surlily replied, “Yes; get out of the sun.”

Alexander and Homer. When Alexander invaded Asia Minor, he offered up sacrifice to Priam, and then went to visit the tomb of Achillês. Here he exclaimed, “O most enviable of men, who had Homer to sing thy deeds!”

Which made the Eastern conqueror to cry,
“O fortunate young man! whose virtue found
So brave a trump thy noble deeds to sound.”
   —Spenser: The Ruins of Time (1591).

Alexander and the Olympic Games. Alexander, being asked if he would run a course at the Olympic games, replied, “Yes, if my competitors are all kings.”

Alexander and Parmenio. When Darius ki ng of Persia offered Alexander his daughter Statira in marriage, with a dowry of 10,000 talents of gold, Parmenio said, “I would accept the offer, if I were Alexander.” To this Alexander rejoined, “So would I, if I were Parmenio.”

On another occasion the general thought the king somewhat too lavish in his gifts, whereupon Alexander made answer, “I consider not what Parmenio ought to receive, but what Alexander ought to give.”

Alexander and Perdiccas. When Alexander started for Asia he divided his possessions among his friends. Perdiccas asked what he had left for himself. “Hope,” said Alexander. “If hope is enough for Alexander,” replied the friend, “it is enough for Perdiccas also;” and declined to accept anything.

Alexander and Raphael. Alexander encountered Raphael in a cave in the montain of Kaf, and being asked what he was in search of, replied, “The water of immortality.” Whereupon Raphael gave him a stone, and told him when he found another of the same weight he would gain his wish. “And how long,” said Alexander, “have I to live?” The angel replied, “Till the heaven above thee and the earth beneath thee are of iron.” Alexander now went forth and found a stone almost of the weight required, and in order to complete the balance, added a little earth; falling from his horse at Ghur he was laid in his armour on the ground, and his shield was set up over him to ward off the sun. Then understood he that he would gain immortality when, like the stone, he was buried in the earth, and that his hour was come, for the earth beneath him was iron, and his iron buckler was his vault of heaven above. So he died.

Alexander and the Robber. When Dionidês, a pirate, was brought before Alexander, he exclaimed, “Vile brigand! how dare you infest the seas with your misdeeds?” “And you,” replied the pirate, “by what right do you ravage the world? Because I have only one ship, I am called a brigand, but you who have a whole fleet are termed a conqueror.” Alexander commanded the man to be set at liberty.