Damon y Pitias

Un joven llamado Pitias había hecho algo que al tirano Dionisio no le gustó. Por esta ofensa fue arrastrado a prisión, y se fijó un día en el que debía ser ejecutado.

A young man whose name was Pythias had done something which the tyrant Dionysius did not like. For this offense he was dragged to prison, and a day was set when he should be put to death.

Su hogar estaba muy lejos, y deseaba mucho ver a su padre, a su madre y a sus amigos antes de morir.

His home was far away, and he wanted very much to see his father and mother and friends before he died.

“Solo dame permiso para ir a casa y despedirme de aquellos a quienes amo”, dijo, “y luego volveré y entregaré mi vida”.

“Only give me leave to go home and say good-by to those whom I love,” he said, “and then I will come back and give up my life.”

El tirano se rió de él.

The tyrant laughed at him.

“¿Cómo puedo saber que cumplirás tu promesa?”, dijo. “Solo quieres engañarme y salvarte a ti mismo”.

“How can I know that you will keep your promise?” he said. “You only want to cheat me, and save yourself.”

Entonces un joven llamado Damón habló y dijo:

Then a young man whose name was Damon spoke and said,--

“¡Oh, rey! Ponme en prisión en lugar de mi amigo Pitias, y déjalo ir a su propio país para poner sus asuntos en orden y despedirse de sus amigos. Sé que volverá como prometió, pues es un hombre que nunca ha roto su palabra.

“O king! put me in prison in place of my friend Pythias, and let him go to his own country to put his affairs in order, and to bid his friends farewell. I know that he will come back as he promised, for he is a man who has never broken his word.

Pero si no está aquí el día que has fijado, entonces moriré en su lugar”.

But if he is not here on the day which you have set, then I will die in his stead.”

El tirano se sorprendió de que alguien hiciera tal oferta. Finalmente accedió a dejar ir a Pitias y dio órdenes de que el joven Damón fuera encerrado en prisión.

The tyrant was surprised that anybody should make such an offer. He at last agreed to let Pythias go, and gave orders that the young man Damon should be shut up in prison.

El tiempo pasó, y poco a poco se acercó el día que se había fijado para que Pitias muriera; y él no había regresado. El tirano ordenó al carcelero que vigilara de cerca a Damón y no lo dejara escapar. Pero Damón no intentó escapar.

Time passed, and by and by the day drew near which had been set for Pythias to die; and he had not come back. The tyrant ordered the jailer to keep close watch upon Damon, and not let him escape. But Damon did not try to escape.

Él todavía tenía fe en la verdad y el honor de su amigo. Dijo: “Si Pitias no regresa a tiempo, no será por su culpa. Será porque se ha visto impedido contra su voluntad”.

He still had faith in the truth and honor of his friend. He said, “If Pythias does not come back in time, it will not be his fault. It will be because he is hindered against his will.”

Al fin llegó el día, y luego la hora misma. Damón estaba listo para morir. Su confianza en su amigo era tan firme como siempre; y dijo que no le afligía tener que sufrir por alguien a quien amaba tanto.

At last the day came, and then the very hour. Damon was ready to die. His trust in his friend was as firm as ever; and he said that he did not grieve at having to suffer for one whom he loved so much.

Entonces el carcelero vino para llevarlo a su muerte; pero en el mismo momento Pitias apareció en la puerta. Se había visto retrasado por tormentas y un naufragio, y había temido llegar demasiado tarde.

Then the jailer came to lead him to his death; but at the same moment Pythias stood in the door. He had been delayed by storms and shipwreck, and he had feared that he was too late.

Saludó a Damón amablemente y luego se entregó en manos del carcelero. Estaba feliz porque pensaba que había llegado a tiempo, aunque fuera en el último momento.

He greeted Damon kindly, and then gave himself into the hands of the jailer. He was happy because he thought that he had come in time, even though it was at the last moment.