Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

HIS FRAILTIES. 653ger was so marked that he could never stand idle by and seeanother doing deeds of valor. He invariably chose the hardesttask himself. No doubt he was as conscious of his ownability to do it better than any one else, as he was of his powerto endure. During the herculean pursuit of Darius, — aftera march of four hundred miles in eleven days, atthe close ofwhich but sixty of his men had been able to keep beside him,— it was he who always led the van, cheered on his men, inspiredall with the ambition to keep on to the very end, andwho stood the heat and thirst, the fatigueand danger best ofall. It was he who headed the weary handful in a charge onthe Persian thousands. Such things endear a leader to hismen beyond the telling.But Alexander's temper, by inheritance quick, grew ungovernable.A naturally excitable character, coupled with acertain superstitious tendency, was the very one to suffer froma life which carried him to such a giddy height, and from successeswhich reached beyond the human limit. We condemn,but, looking at him as a captain, may pass over those darkhours in his life which narrate the murder of Clitus, the executionof Philotas and Parmenio, and the cruelties to Bessusand to Batis. Alexander was distinctly subject to humanfrailties. His vices were partly inherited, partly the outgrowthof his youth and wonderful career. But he repentedquickly and sincerely of his evil deeds. When all is summedup, there are few monarchs in the world's history at whosedoor is cast less reproach ; few of whom more that is greatand good is written. Until the last few years of his life,his habits were very simple. He was not by nature fond ofdress." A prince ought to surpass his subjects rather in theculture of virtues than in the finery of his clothes," said he.But like Hannibal he was a great lover of fine arms andweapons, and of good horses. His adoption of Persian dress