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Darius writes to Porus; the evil plot.

the noise of the armed men cried out to Alexander, who hearing their cries, bade them be taken thence. And seeing them was struck with ruth and wept, and bade each one be given ten thousand drachmas, and be restored every one to his own. For Darius kept them in prison, since they were of noble birth, and awarded all their possessions to his thralls. In the meantime the messengers from Alexander to Darius told all that Alexander had said. And Darius hearing this began to get ready for the fight. And he wrote another letter to Porus King of India, which runneth as follows : —

The Letter sent by Darius to Porus King of India.

Darius King of the Persians to Porus King of Our Indians joy. We asked but lately of you, and again we ask you to come and help against those who strive to overthrow our palace. We know well also that the like harm will light on you. For this Alexander, who fighteth thus, hath an unquenchable and wild soul, which like a lion ceaseth not, and is like the sea when stirred by mighty winds. Furthermore, unwillingly though it be, we have gathered numberless races, and we have taken our counsel to fight with him to the very death.

*better us is for to die manyly in the field than for to see mischief of our people & the desolation of our [rewme]. Wherefore, [hafand] reward and compassion of our disease, we beseech thou, that thee let our prayers settle in your heart, & help for to succor us now at our need, [hafand] in your mind the great nobility of our pregenitors. And I assure thou that [I shall] give each footman that comes with thou, three pieces of gold, And each horseman, five pieces of gold, And also meat & drink enough to thou & all your men. And whereso thee [lugge] thou, ye shall find thou a hundred & fourscore tents curiously wrought. And also we shall gift thou Alexander horse Bucephalus, and all apparel, & the array that [belongs?] to Alexander [happily?] shall be yours and also all the spoil of his folk shall be dealt amongst your folk. Wherefore we beseech thou that also as soon as this

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