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deserted by the terrified inhabitants, and were advancing to take 

 possession of it, when, to their great astonishment, the gates were 

 suddenly thrown wide open, and discovered Sophites himself, who, 

 in comeliness, exceeded all his subjects, accompanied by two 

 beautiful youths, his sons, and a long train of nobles, coming forth 

 in procession to meet the victor, and lay at his feet the royal in- 

 signia, formed of the purest gold, and glittering with a profusion of 

 diamonds. The description of the ornaments that decorated this 

 prince is elaborately eloquent, but, what is more to the purpose, it is 

 also correct, and exactly corresponds with the habits worn by the 

 great rajahs of the present day. A long embroidered vest of a purple 

 ground, interwoven with gold, enfolded his elegant form, and 

 descended gracefully down to his feet ; but not so as to conceal his 

 sandals, which were of a rich gold brocade, sprinkled with pearls 

 and rubies. He was splendidly adorned with rich necklaces and 

 bracelets of various coloured stones. Two pendant jewels, of un- 

 common magnitude, and of the purest water, glittered in his ears. 

 His sceptre, of wrought gold, was studded with beryls; and this, 

 with the other insignia, he submissively presented to Alexander; 

 at the same time earnestly soliciting his royal protection for himself, 

 his children, and his subjects*. Alexander received this courteous 

 prince with great benignity, returned to him the insignia of royalty, 

 and, after visiting his capital and refreshing his army there, pursued 

 his march to the Hyphasis. On his way thither, he was met by 

 another prince, whose country bordered on its banks, and whom 

 Diodorus distinguishes by the appellation of Phegeus, but whom 

 Curtius, generally his copyist, terms Phegelas-f-. The subjects of'this 

 prince would willingly have flown to arms, but Phegelas forbade 

 them, and, commanding them peaceably to return to their agri- 



* Curtius, book ix. cap. 1. t Diodorus Siculus, lib. xvii. p. 603. Curtius, in loco citat. 



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