Croesus, though overwhelmed with anguish, was disarmed of all resentment at witnessing Adrastus's suffering. He endeavored to soothe and quiet the agitation which the unhappy man endured, but it was in vain. Adrastus could not be calmed. Croesus then ordered the body of his son to be buried with proper honors. The funeral services were performed with great and solemn ceremonies, and when the body was interred, the household of Croesus returned to the palace, which was now, in spite of all its splendor, shrouded in gloom. That night--at midnight--Adrastus, finding his mental anguish insupportable retired from his apartment to the place where Atys had been buried, and killed himself over the grave.
Solon was wise in saying that he could not tell whether wealth and grandeur were to be accounted as happiness till he saw how they would end. Croesus was plunged into inconsolable grief, and into extreme dejection and misery for a period of two years, in consequence of this calamity, and yet this calamity was only the beginning of the end.
Change in the character of Cyrus.--His ambition.--Capriciousness of Astyages.--Cyrus makes great progress in mental and personal accomplishments.--Harpagus's plans for revenge.--Suspicions of Astyages.--Condition of Persia.--Discontent in Media.--Proceedings of Harpagus.--His deportment toward Astyages.--Co-operation in Media.--Harpagus writes to Cyrus.--Harpagus's singular method of conveying his letter to Cyrus.--Contents of Harpagus's letter.--Excitement of Cyrus.--Cyrus accedes to Harpagus's plan.--How to raise an army.--The day of toil.--The day of festivity.--Speech of Cyrus.--Ardor of the soldiers.--Defection of Harpagus.--The battle.--Rage of Astyages.--His vengeance on the magi.--Defeat and capture of Astyages.--Interview with Harpagus.--Cyrus King of Media and Persia.--Confinement of Astyages.--Acquiescence of the Medes.--Death of Astyages.--Suddenness of Cyrus's elevation.--Harpagus.
While Croesus had thus, on his side of the River Halys--which was the stream that marked the boundary between the Lydian empire on the west and the Persian and Assyrian dominions on the east--been employed in building up his grand structure of outward magnificence and splendor, and in contending, within, against an overwhelming tide of domestic misery and woe, great changes had taken place in the situation and prospects of Cyrus. From being an artless and generous-minded child, he had become a calculating, ambitious, and aspiring man, and he was preparing to take his part in the great public contests and struggles of the day, with the same eagerness for self-aggrandizement, and the same unconcern for the welfare and happiness of others, which always characterizes the spirit of ambition and love of power.
