_Alexander_ the Great, took in the Wars a certain _Indian_, who had such a skill in Shooting, that he could pass his Arrows through a Ring placed at a certain distance. He commanded him to make a trial of it before him; and because the _Indian_ refused, he ordered he should be slain. Those that led him to his Punishment enquiring into the Reason of his refusal, the _Indian_ answered, _Having for a long time left off the Exercise of my Art, I chuse to suffer Death rather than to venture the loss of my Reputation, if I should miss before_ Alexander: Which being told again to that Emperour, he not only commanded he should be set at Liberty, but also gave him many Gifts, admiring his great Spirit and Resolution. 58 _Alexandre_ le grand prit en Guerre un _Indien_, si adroit à tirer de l’Arc, qu’il faisoit passer ses Flêches par un anneau placé à une certaine distance, il lui commanda d’en faire l’essai devant lui, & sur le refus qu’en fit l’_Indien_, il ordonna qu’on le fit mourir. Ceux qui le conduisoient au supplice, s’informant du sujet de son refus, l’_Indien_ repondit: _Comme j’ai été long tems sans exercer mon art, j’ai mieux aimé souffrir la Mort, que de m’exposer à perdre ma Reputation, en manquant devant_ Alexandre. Ce qui ètant rapporté à cet Empereur, non seulement il le fit mettre en liberté, mais même il lui fit de grands Presents, admirant son courage & sa fermeté. 59 The Favourites of the Emperour _Trajan_, taking notice that he received every Body with great Familiarity, told him he forgot the grandeur of his Majesty: _I will take care_, answered he, _That my People shall find in me such an Emperour as I could wish to have one my self, if I was a private Man_. 59 Les Favoris de l’Empereur _Trajan_ le voyant recevoir tout le monde fort familierement, lui remontroient qu’il oublioit la grandeur de sa Majesté: _je veux_, répondit-il, _que mon Peuple trouve en moy un Empereur, tel que je souhaiterois en avoir un si j’étois Homme privé_. 60 _Agathocles_ from a mean Fortune, being advanced to the Royal Dignity, would be served at Table with Earthen-ware, and being asked the reason: _I intend_, answered he, _that the remembrance of my Extraction from a Potter, shall check that Pride which the vain Pomp of_ R_oyalty may raise in me_. 60 _Agathocles_ ètant parvenu de bas lieu â la dignité Royalle, vouloit qu’on le servit à Table en Vaisselle de Terre, & quand on lui en demandoit la cause: _je veux_, répondit-il, _que le souvenir de l’Origine que je tire d’un Potier de Terre, rabatte l’orgueil, dont le vain appareil de la Royauté pourroit me surprendre_. 61 _Alexander_ sitting on the Judgment Seat to decide Criminal Causes, kept always one of his Ears stopt, while the Accuser was pleading; and being asked the reason: _I keep_, said he, _the other Ear entire to hear the Party accused_. 61