A Espada de Dâmocles

Havia uma vez um rei que se chamava Dionísio. Ele era tão injusto e cruel que ganhou a fama de tirano. Ele sabia que quase todo mundo o odiava e, por isso, tinha sempre medo de que alguém tirasse a sua 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.

Mas ele era muito rico e vivia em um belo palácio onde havia muitas coisas bonitas e caras, e era servido por muitos criados que estavam sempre prontos para fazer o que ele mandava.

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.

Um dia, um amigo dele, que se chamava Dâmocles, lhe disse:

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

“Como você deve ser feliz! Você tem aqui tudo o que qualquer homem poderia desejar.”

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

“Talvez você queira trocar de lugar comigo”, disse o tirano.

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

“Não, isso não, ó rei!”, disse Dâmocles. “Mas eu acho que, se pudesse ter as suas riquezas e os seus prazeres por apenas um dia, eu não iria querer uma felicidade maior.”

“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.”

“Muito bem”, disse o tirano. “Você vai ter tudo isso.”

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

E assim, no dia seguinte, Dâmocles foi levado para o palácio, e todos os criados receberam ordens de tratá-lo como o senhor deles. Ele se sentou a uma mesa no salão de banquetes, e pratos deliciosos foram colocados diante dele.

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.

Não faltava nada que pudesse lhe dar prazer. Havia vinhos caros, flores bonitas, perfumes raros e uma música agradável. Ele descansava entre almofadas macias e sentia que era o homem mais feliz do mundo inteiro.

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.

Então, por acaso, ele levantou os olhos para o teto. O que era aquilo pendurado acima dele, com a ponta quase tocando a sua cabeça? Era uma espada afiada, suspensa apenas por um único fio de rabo de cavalo. E se o fio arrebentasse?

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?

Havia perigo a cada momento de que isso acontecesse.

There was danger every moment that it would do so.

O sorriso sumiu dos lábios de Dâmocles. O seu rosto ficou pálido como cinza. As mãos dele tremiam. Ele não queria mais comida; não conseguia beber mais vinho; não sentia mais prazer com a música. Ele só queria sair do palácio e ir embora, não importava para onde.

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.

“Qual é o problema?”, perguntou o tirano.

“What is the matter?” said the tyrant.

“Aquela espada! Aquela espada!”, gritou Dâmocles. Ele estava com tanto medo que não tinha coragem de se mexer.

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