Pedang Damokles

Pernah ada seorang raja bernama Dionisius. Ia begitu tidak adil dan kejam hingga ia dijuluki sebagai seorang tiran. Ia tahu bahwa hampir semua orang membencinya, dan karena itu ia selalu hidup dalam ketakutan kalau-kalau ada orang yang akan merenggut nyawanya.

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.

Tetapi ia sangat kaya, dan ia tinggal di istana yang megah di mana terdapat banyak barang indah dan mahal, dan ia dilayani oleh banyak sekali pelayan yang selalu siap melaksanakan perintahnya.

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.

Suatu hari seorang temannya, yang bernama Damokles, berkata kepadanya,—

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

“Betapa bahagianya Anda! Di sini Anda memiliki segalanya yang bisa diharapkan oleh seorang manusia.”

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

“Mungkin Anda ingin bertukar tempat dengan saya,” kata sang tiran.

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

“Bukan begitu, wahai Baginda!” kata Damokles; “tetapi saya rasa, seandainya saja saya bisa menikmati kekayaan dan kesenangan Anda selama satu hari, saya tidak akan menginginkan kebahagiaan yang lebih besar lagi.”

“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.”

“Baiklah,” kata sang tiran. “Anda akan mendapatkannya.”

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

Maka, keesokan harinya, Damokles dibawa ke dalam istana, dan semua pelayan diperintahkan untuk memperlakukannya sebagai tuan mereka. Ia duduk di sebuah meja di ruang perjamuan, dan makanan-makanan lezat disajikan di hadapannya.

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.

Tidak ada yang kurang dari apa pun yang dapat memberinya kenikmatan. Ada anggur-anggur mahal, bunga-bunga indah, wewangian langka, dan musik yang menyenangkan. Ia bersandar di antara bantal-bantal yang empuk, dan merasa bahwa dialah orang yang paling bahagia di seluruh dunia.

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.

Kemudian ia kebetulan mengangkat pandangannya ke arah langit-langit. Apa gerangan yang bergelantungan di atasnya, dengan ujungnya yang hampir menyentuh kepalanya? Itu adalah sebilah pedang tajam, dan pedang itu hanya digantung oleh sehelai bulu kuda. Bagaimana jika helai bulu itu putus?

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?

Ada bahaya di setiap saat bahwa hal itu akan terjadi.

There was danger every moment that it would do so.

Senyuman memudar dari bibir Damokles. Wajahnya menjadi pucat pasi. Tangannya gemetar. Ia tidak lagi menginginkan makanan; ia tidak bisa lagi meminum anggur; ia tidak lagi menikmati musik itu. Ia sangat ingin keluar dari istana dan pergi jauh, ia tidak peduli ke mana.

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.

“Ada apa?” tanya sang tiran.

“What is the matter?” said the tyrant.

“Pedang itu! Pedang itu!” teriak Damokles. Ia begitu ketakutan hingga ia tidak berani bergerak.

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