Cuius tam mitis ingenii debitum fructum ultimo fati sui tempore cepit: nam cum diris auspiciis Argivorum invasisset urbem, abscisumque eius caput Alcyoneus, Antigoni regis filius'propugnator enim laborantibus aderat,'ad patrem laetus velut aliquod felicissimum victoriae opus attulisset, Antigonus, correpto iuvene quod tanti viri subitae ruinae immemor humanorum casuum effuso gaudio insultaret, humo caput sublatum causea, qua velatum caput suum more Macedonum habebat, texit, corporique Pyrrhi redditum honoratissime cremandum curavit.
He reaped the due reward of so mild a disposition at the very end of his life. He had attacked the city of the Argives under evil auspices, and Alcyoneus, son of king Antigonus (for he was present, fighting for the embattled defenders), had taken his severed head to his father joyously, as though it had been the happiest of victorious achievements. Antigonus rebuked the young man for exulting unrestrainedly over the sudden fall of so great a personage, forgetful of the chances of human life. He took the head up from the ground, covered it with the broad-brimmed hat he was wearing on his own after the Macedonian fashion, replaced it on Pyrrhus body, and had it cremated with all honours.
final_alignments\Valerius_Memorable_Book5.json