Calliope   

change her mind, at the last he gave her the robe. Then Artaynta was
very greatly rejoiced, and she often wore the garment and was proud of
it. And so it came to the ears of Amestris that the robe had been
given to her.
Now when Amestris learnt the whole matter, she felt no anger
against Artaynta; but, looking upon her mother, the wife of
Masistes, as the cause of all the mischief, she determined to
compass her death. She waited, therefore, till her husband gave the
great royal banquet, a feast which takes place once every year, in
celebration of the king's birthday- "Tykta" the feast is called in the
Persian tongue, which in our language may be rendered "perfect"- and
this is the only day in all the year on which the king soaps his head,
and distributes gifts to the Persians. Amestris waited, accordingly,
for this day, and then made request of Xerxes, that he would please to
give her, as her present, the wife of Masistes. But he refused; for it
seemed to him shocking and monstrous to give into the power of another
a woman who was not only his brother's wife, but was likewise wholly
guiltless of what had happened- the more especially as he knew well
enough with what intent Amestris had preferred her request.
At length, however, wearied by her importunity, and constrained
moreover by the law of the feast, which required that no one who asked
a boon that day at the king's board should be denied his request, he
yielded, but with a very ill will, and gave the woman into her
power. Having so done, and told Amestris she might deal with her as
she chose, the king called his brother into his presence, and said-
"Masistes, thou art my brother, the son of my father Darius;
and, what is more, thou art a good man. I pray thee, live no longer
with the wife whom thou now hast. Behold, I will give thee instead
my own daughter in marriage; take her to live with thee. But part
first with the wife thou now hast- I like not that thou keep to her."
To this Masistes, greatly astonished, answered-
"My lord and master, how strange a speech hast thou uttered!
Thou biddest me put away my wife, who has borne me three goodly
youths, and daughters besides, whereof thou hast taken one and
espoused her to a son of thine own- thou biddest me put away this
wife, notwithstanding that she pleases me greatly, and marry a
daughter of thine! In truth, O king! that I am accounted worthy to wed
thy daughter, is an honour which I mightily esteem; but yet to do as
thou sayest am I in no wise willing. I pray thee, use not force to
compel me to yield to thy prayer. Be sure thy daughter will find a
husband to the full as worthy as myself. Suffer me then to live on
with my own wife."
Thus did Masistes answer; and Xerxes, in wrath, replied- "I will
tell thee, Masistes, what thou hast gained by these words. I will
not give thee my daughter; nor shalt thou live any longer with thy own
wife. So mayest thou learn, in time to come, to take what is offered
thee." Masistes, when he heard this, withdrew, only saying- "Master
thou hast not yet taken my life."
While these things were passing between Xerxes and his brother
Masistes, Amestris sent for the spearmen of the royal bodyguard, and
caused the wife of Masistes to be mutilated in a horrible fashion. Her
two breasts, her nose, ears, and lips were cut off and thrown to the
dogs; her tongue was torn out by the roots, and thus disfigured she
was sent back to her home.
Masistes, who knew nothing of what had happened, but was fearful
that some calamity had befallen him, ran hastily to his house.
There, finding his wife so savagely used, he forthwith took counsel
with his sons, and, accompanied by them and certain others also, set
forth on his way to Bactria, intending to stir up revolt in that
province, and hoping to do great hurt to Xerxes: all which, I believe,
he would have accomplished, if he had once reached the Bactrian and
Sacan people; for he was greatly beloved by them both, and was
moreover satrap of Bactria. But Xerxes, hearing of his designs, sent
an armed force upon his track, and slew him while he was still upon