La espada de Damocles

Había una vez un rey cuyo nombre era Dionisio. Era tan injusto y cruel que se ganó el nombre de tirano. Sabía que casi todo el mundo lo odiaba, y por eso vivía siempre con el temor de que alguien le quitara la vida.

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.

Pero era muy rico y vivía en un espléndido palacio donde había muchas cosas hermosas y costosas, y era atendido por una multitud de sirvientes que siempre estaban listos para cumplir sus órdenes.

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.

Un día, un amigo suyo, llamado Damocles, le dijo:

One day a friend of his, whose name was Damocles, said to him,--

«¡Qué feliz debes ser! Tienes aquí todo lo que cualquier hombre podría desear».

“How happy you must be! You have here everything that any man could wish.”

«Quizás te gustaría cambiar de lugar conmigo», dijo el tirano.

“Perhaps you would like to change places with me,” said the tyrant.

«¡No, eso no, oh rey!», dijo Damocles; «pero creo que, si tan solo pudiera tener tus riquezas y tus placeres por un día, no desearía mayor felicidad».

“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.”

«Muy bien», dijo el tirano. «Los tendrás».

“Very well,” said the tyrant. “You shall have them.”

Y así, al día siguiente, Damocles fue llevado al palacio, y a todos los sirvientes se les ordenó tratarlo como a su amo. Se sentó a la mesa en el salón de banquetes y le sirvieron alimentos exquisitos.

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.

No faltaba nada que pudiera darle placer. Había vinos costosos, flores hermosas, perfumes raros y música encantadora. Descansó entre suaves cojines y sintió que era el hombre más feliz del mundo.

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.

Entonces, por casualidad, levantó la vista hacia el techo. ¿Qué era aquello que colgaba sobre él, con la punta casi rozándole la cabeza? Era una espada afilada, y estaba suspendida por un solo pelo de caballo. ¿Qué pasaría si el pelo se rompiera?

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 horse-hair. What if the hair should break?

Había peligro en cada momento de que eso sucediera.

There was danger every moment that it would do so.

La sonrisa se desvaneció de los labios de Damocles. Su rostro se puso pálido como la ceniza. Sus manos temblaban. Ya no quería comida; no podía beber más vino; ya no disfrutaba de la música. Anhelaba estar fuera del palacio, lejos, no le importaba a dónde.

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.

«¿Qué sucede?», preguntó el tirano.

“What is the matter?” said the tyrant.

«¡Esa espada! ¡Esa espada!», gritó Damocles. Estaba tan aterrorizado que no se atrevía a moverse.

“That sword! that sword!” cried Damocles. He was so badly frightened that he dared not move.