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" Laugh as you will , " said Cæsar , " he has reason to be proud . I would rather be the head man of a village than the second man in Rome ! " At another time , Cæsar was crossing a narrow sea in a boat . Before he was halfway to the farther shore , a storm overtook him . The wind blew hard ; the waves dashed high ; the lightning flashed ; the thunder rolled . It seemed every minute as though the boat would sink . The captain was in great fright . He had crossed the sea many times , but never in such a storm as this . He trembled with fear ; he could not guide the boat ; he fell down upon his knees ; he moaned , " All is lost ! all is lost ! " But Cæsar was not afraid . He bade the man get up and take his oars again . " Why should you be afraid ? " he said . " The boat will not be lost ; for you have Cæsar on board . " THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES . There was once a king whose name was Dionysius . He was so unjust and cruel that he won for himself the name of tyrant . He knew that almost everybody hated him , and so he was always in dread lest some one should take his life . But he was very rich , and he lived in a fine palace where there were many beautiful and costly things , and he was waited upon by a host of servants who were always ready to do his bidding . One day a friend of his , whose name was Damocles , said to him , — " How happy you must be ! You have here everything that any man could wish . " " Perhaps you would like to change places with me , " said the tyrant . " No , not that , O king ! " said Damocles ; " but I think , that , if I could only have your riches and your pleasures for one day , I should not want any greater happiness . " " Very well , " said the tyrant . " You shall have them . " And so , the next day , Damocles was led into the palace , and all the servants were bidden to treat him as their master . He sat down at a table in the banquet hall , and rich foods were placed before him . Nothing was wanting that could give him pleasure . There were costly wines , and beautiful flowers , and rare perfumes , and delightful music . He rested himself among soft cushions , and felt that he was the happiest man in all the world . Then he chanced to raise his eyes toward the ceiling . What was it that was dangling above him , with its point almost touching his head ? It was a sharp sword , and it was hung by only a single horsehair . What if the hair should break ? There was danger every moment that it would do so . The smile faded from the lips of Damocles . His face became ashy pale . His hands trembled . He wanted no more food ; he could drink no more wine ; he took no more delight in the music . He longed to be out of the palace , and away , he cared not where .
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