La spada di Damocle

C’era una volta un re di nome Dionisio. Era così ingiusto e crudele che si guadagnò l’appellativo di tiranno. Sapeva che quasi tutti lo odiavano, e perciò viveva nel costante timore che qualcuno potesse togliergli la vita.

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.

Tuttavia era molto ricco e viveva in un magnifico palazzo pieno di cose belle e costose, servito da una schiera di servitori sempre pronti a eseguire i suoi ordini.

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 giorno un suo amico, di nome Damocle, gli disse:

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

“Quanto devi essere felice! Hai qui tutto ciò che un uomo possa desiderare.”

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

“Forse ti piacerebbe scambiare il tuo posto con il mio”, disse il tiranno.

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

“No, non questo, o re!”, rispose Damocle; “ma penso che, se potessi avere le tue ricchezze e i tuoi piaceri anche solo per un giorno, non desidererei felicità maggiore.”

“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.”

“Molto bene”, disse il tiranno. “Li avrai.”

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

Così, il giorno seguente, Damocle fu condotto nel palazzo e a tutti i servitori fu ordinato di trattarlo come il loro padrone. Si sedette a tavola nella sala dei banchetti e gli furono serviti cibi prelibati.

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.

Non mancava nulla che potesse dargli piacere. C’erano vini costosi, fiori bellissimi, profumi rari e musica incantevole. Si adagiò tra morbidi cuscini e si sentì l’uomo più felice del mondo.

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.

Poi, per caso, alzò gli occhi verso il soffitto. Che cos’era quella cosa che dondolava sopra di lui, con la punta quasi a sfiorargli la testa? Era una spada affilata, appesa a un solo crine di cavallo. E se il crine si fosse spezzato?

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?

C’era il pericolo, in ogni istante, che ciò accadesse.

There was danger every moment that it would do so.

Il sorriso svanì dalle labbra di Damocle. Il suo volto divenne pallido come la cenere. Le mani gli tremavano. Non voleva più mangiare, non poteva più bere vino, non provava più gioia per la musica. Desiderava solo uscire dal palazzo e andare lontano, non gli importava dove.

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.

“Che cosa succede?”, chiese il tiranno.

“What is the matter?” said the tyrant.

“Quella spada! Quella spada!”, gridò Damocle. Era così terrorizzato che non osava muoversi.

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