A l e x a n d e r t h e G r e a t 16 Alexander: You may leave and wait in the Guest tent. (Alexander claps and the Hajib enters. Alexander waves the Persian envoy to be escorted to the Guest Tent). (Alexander to his Council): Alexander: What say you about Darius’s proposal? (No response from the Council. Alexnader walks about in the tent waiting for a response. The Council members look at one another, but no one dares express his opinion, as they do not know what Alexander’s view is on the matter. They cannot have a view contradictory to his. Eventually Parmenion picks up some courage and responds after Alexander solicits his opinion) Alexander: What do you think, Parmenion? (Parmenion advances towards Alexander and speaks with an arrogant tone): Parmenion: You all know my opinion; that is, you release the prisoners from Damascus in return for a ransom. You will receive a large sum. Guarding those prisoners has occupied the timeofmanyof our soldiers. Now, you will be able to collect 180 M
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy