XXVIII.  When he was brought into the king’s presence he prostrated himself, and stood silent.  The king then told his interpreter to ask him who he was; and when the interpreter had asked this question, he told him to answer, “I am, O King, Themistokles the Athenian, an exile, a man who has wrought much evil to the Persians, but more good than evil, in that I stopped the pursuit when Greece was safe, and I was able to do you a kindness as all was well at home.  In my present fallen fortunes I am prepared to be grateful for any mark of favour you may show me, or to deprecate your anger, should you bear a grudge against me.  You may see, from the violence of my own countrymen against me, how great were the benefits which I conferred upon the Persians; so now use me rather as a means of proving your magnanimity than of glutting your wrath.  Wherefore save me, your suppliant, and do not destroy one who has become the enemy of Greece.”  Themistokles also introduced a supernatural element into his speech by relating the vision which he saw at the house of Nikogenes, and also a prophecy which he received at the shrine of Jupiter of Dodona, which bade him “go to the namesake of the god,” from which he concluded that the god sent him to the king, because they were both great, and called kings.  To this speech the Persian king made no answer, although he was astonished at his bold spirit; but in conversation with his friends he spoke as though this were the greatest possible piece of good fortune, and in his prayers begged Arimanios to make his enemies ever continue to banish their ablest men.  He is said to have offered a sacrifice to the gods and to have drunk wine at once, and during the night in his soundest sleep he thrice cried out, “I have got Themistokles the Athenian.”

XXIX.  At daybreak he called together his friends and sent for Themistokles, who augured nothing pleasant from the insults and abuse which he received from the people at the palace gates, when they heard his name.  Moreover Roxanes the chiliarch, as Themistokles passed by him in silence into the king’s presence, whispered, “Thou subtle serpent of Greece, the king’s good genius has led thee hither.”  But when he was come before the king and had prostrated himself a second time, the king embraced him, and said in a friendly tone that he already owed him two hundred talents:  for as he had brought himself he was clearly entitled to the reward which was offered to any one else who would do so.  He also promised him much more than this, and encouraged him to speak at length upon the affairs of Greece.  To this Themistokles answered, that human speech was like embroidered tapestry, because when spread out it shows all its figures, but when wrapped up it both conceals and spoils them, wherefore he asked for time.  The king was pleased with his simile, and bade him take what time he chose.  He asked for a year, during which he learned the Persian language sufficiently to talk to the king without an interpreter.  This