LEXANDER was
naturally most munificent, and grew more so as his fortune increased,
accompanying what he gave with that courtesy and freedom, which, to speak
truth, is necessary to make a benefit really obliging. I will give a few
instances of this kind. Ariston, the captain of the Paeonians, having killed
an enemy, brought his head to show him, and told him that in his country, such
a present was recompensed with a cup of gold. "With an empty one," said
Alexander, smiling, "but I drink to you in this, which I give you full of
wine." Another time, as one of the common soldier was driving a mule laden
with some of the king's treasure, the beast grew tired, and the soldier took
it upon his own back, and began to march with it, till Alexander seeing the
man so overcharged, asked what was the matter; and when he was informed, just
as he was ready to lay down his burden for weariness, "Do not faint now," said
he to him, "but finish the journey, and carry what you have there to your own
tent for yourself." He was always more displeased with those who would not
accept of what he gave than with those who begged of him. And therefore he
wrote to Phocion, that he would not own him for his friend any longer, if he
refused his presents. He had never given anything to Serapion, one of the
youths that played at ball with him, because he did not ask of him, till one
day, it coming to Serapion's turn to play, he still threw the ball to others,
and when the king asked him why he did not direct it to him, "Because you do
not ask for it," said he; which answer pleased him so, that he was very
liberal to him afterwards. One Proteas, a pleasant, jesting, drinking fellow,
having incurred his displeasure, got his friends to intercede for him, and
begged his pardon himself with tears, which at last prevailed, and Alexander
declared he was friends with him.
Plutarch: ALEXANDER
