Chapter 3

Gyrtias, when on a time Acrotatus, her grandson, in a fight with other boys received many blows, and was brought home for dead, and the family and friends were all wailing, said, Will you not stop your noise? He has shown from what blood he was sprung. And she said that people who were good for anything should not scream, but should try to find some remedy.

When a messenger came from Crete bringing the news of the death of Acrotatus, she said, When he had come to the enemy, was he not bound either to be slain by them or to slay them? It is more pleasing to hear that he died in a manner worthy of myself, his country, and his ancestors than if he had lived for all time a coward.