However, neither in the future nor now at the present shalt thou escape
unpunished for trying to turn away that which is destined to come to
pass: and as for Xerxes, that which he must suffer if he disobeys, hath
been shown already to the man himself."

18. Thus it seemed to Artabanos that the dream threatened him, and at
the same time was just about to burn out his eyes with hot irons; and
with a loud cry he started up from his bed, and sitting down beside
Xerxes he related to him throughout the vision of the dream, and then
said to him as follows: "I, O king, as one who has seen before now many
great things brought to their fall by things less, urged thee not to
yield in all things to the inclination of thy youth, since I knew that
it was evil to have desire after many things; remembering on the one
hand the march of Cyrus against the Massagetai, what fortune it had, and
also that of Cambyses against the Ethiopians; and being myself one who
took part with Dareios in the campaign against the Scythians. Knowing
these things I had the opinion that thou wert to be envied of all men,
so long as thou shouldest keep still. Since however there comes a divine
impulse, and, as it seems, a destruction sent by heaven is taking hold
of the Hellenes, I for my part am both changed in myself and also I
reverse my opinions; and do thou signify to the Persians the message
which is sent to thee from God, bidding them follow the commands which
were given by thee at first with regard to the preparations to be
made; and endeavour that on thy side nothing may be wanting, since God
delivers the matter into thy hands." These things having been said, both
were excited to confidence by the vision, and so soon as it became
day, Xerxes communicated the matter to the Persians, and Artabanos,
who before was the only man who came forward to dissuade him, now came
forward to urge on the design.

19. Xerxes being thus desirous to make the expedition, there came to
him after this a third vision in his sleep, which the Magians, when they
heard it, explained to have reference to the dominion of the whole Earth
and to mean that all men should be subject to him; and the vision was
this:--Xerxes thought that he had been crowned with a wreath of an
olive-branch and that the shoots growing from the olive-tree covered
the whole Earth; and after that, the wreath, placed as it was about his
head, disappeared. When the Magians had thus interpreted the vision,
fo