55
On the next day men came to us as suppliants from the enemy and asked us to make friends; the Bosporans promised to pay us twice as much tribute, the Machlyans said that they would give hostages, and the Alans to make up for that attack undertook to help us by subduing the Sindians, who had revolted some time previously. On those terms we assented, but only after the approval of Arsacomas and Lonchates had been given;Macentes would seem to have died of his wounds, though Lucian does not say so. It may be noted, too, that although the Sauromatians contributed 20,000 men to the invading force, we hear nothing of their part either in the battle or in the settlement. and when the treaty of peace was made, they negotiated the details. Such are the deeds, Mnesippus, that Scythians dare to do for their friends.
56
MNESIPPUS They are very dramatic, Toxaris, and quite like fables. May Glaive and Wind, by whom you swore, be good to me, but really, if one were to disbelieve them, one would not seem very open to criticism.
56
TOXARIS But see to it, my gallant adversary, that your disbelief is not jealousy! Nevertheless, I am not the man to let your disbelieving me deter me from telling you other such deeds that I know to have been done by Scythians.
56
MNESIPPUS Only don’t let them be too protracted, my excellent friend, and don’t use such an unembarrassed flow of speech; for as it is, by running hither and thither through Scythia and Machlyene, and by going off to Bosporus and then coming back again, you have taken very liberal advantage of my silence.
56
TOXARIS In this too I must obey your dictates; I must speak briefly so that I shall not have you getting completely tired out by following me all about with your attention.
57
No, rather let me tell you how I myself was assisted by a friend named Sisinnes.
