fely born, and have a happy end. This voice put
him into disorder; so he awaked immediately, and told the story to his
wife; and when his son was born, he called him Izates. He had indeed
Monobazus, his elder brother, by Helena also, as he had other sons by
other wives besides. Yet did he openly place all his affections on this
his only begotten [2] son Izates, which was the origin of that envy
which his other brethren, by the same father, bore to him; while on
this account they hated him more and more, and were all under great
affliction that their father should prefer Izates before them. Now
although their father was very sensible of these their passions, yet
did he forgive them, as not indulging those passions out of an ill
disposition, but out of a desire each of them had to be beloved by their
father. However, he sent Izates, with many presents, to Abennerig, the
king of Charax-Spasini, and that out of the great dread he was in about
him, lest he should come to some misfortune by the hatred his brethren
bore him; and he committed his son's preservation to him. Upon which
Abennerig gladly received the young man, and had a great affection for
him, and married him to his own daughter, whose name was Samacha: he
also bestowed a country upon him, from which he received large revenues.

2. But when Monobazus was grown old, and saw that he had but a little
time to live, he had a mind to come to the sight of his son before he
died. So he sent for him, and embraced him after the most affectionate
manner, and bestowed on him the country called Carra; it was a soil that
bare amomum in great plenty: there are also in it the remains of that
ark, wherein it is related that Noah escaped the deluge, and where they
are still shown to such as are desirous to see them. [3] Accordingly,
Izates abode in that country until his father's death. But the very
day that Monobazus died, queen Helena sent for all the grandees, and
governors of the kingdom, and for those that had the armies committed to
their command; and when they were come, she made the following speech to
them: "I believe you are not unacquainted that my husband was desirous
Izates should succeed him in the government, and thought him worthy so
to do. However, I wait your determination; for happy is he who receives
a kingdom, not from a single person only, but from the willing suffrages
of a great many." This she said, in order to try those that were
invited, and to discover t