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[54]
BUT now Artabanus, king of the Parthians perceiving that the governors
of the provinces had framed a plot against him, did not think it safe for
him to continue among them; but resolved to go to Izates, in hopes of finding
some way for his preservation by his means, and, if possible, for his return
to his own dominions. So he came to Izates, and brought a thousand of his
kindred and servants with him, and met him upon the road, while he well
knew Izates, but Izates did not know him. When Artabanus stood near him,
and, in the first place, worshipped him, according to the custom, he then
said to him, "O king! do not thou overlook me thy servant, nor do
thou proudly reject the suit I make thee; for as I am reduced to a low
estate, by the change of fortune, and of a king am become a private man,
I stand in need of thy assistance. Have regard, therefore, unto the uncertainty
of fortune, and esteem the care thou shalt take of me to he taken of thyself
also; for if I be neglected, and my subjects go off unpunished, many other
subjects will become the more insolent towards other kings also."
And this speech Artabanus made with tears in his eyes, and with a dejected
countenance. Now as soon as Izates heard Artabanus's name, and saw him
stand as a supplicant before him, he leaped down from his horse immediately,
and said to him, "Take courage, O king! nor be disturbed at thy present
calamity, as if it were incurable; for the change of thy sad condition
shall be sudden; for thou shalt find me to be more thy friend and thy assistant
than thy hopes can promise thee; for I will either re-establish thee in
the kingdom of Parthia, or lose my own."
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