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亚历山大带着他的部队占领了亚洲的整个西部。 "整个世界就是我的王国了！”他说。 他攻占了那个最伟大最富饶的国家波斯，烧毁了伟大的提尔城，成为了埃及的统治者;在尼罗河河口附近建造了一个新城，以他的名字命名，叫做亚历山大。 "埃及的西面是哪里?”他问。 回答是："只有大沙漠。直到世界的最边缘，除了沙漠，沙漠，滚烫的沙漠，一无所有。" 于是亚历山大带着军队回到了亚洲。他占领了幼发拉底河那边的国家，又穿过里海海岸延绵的草原。他爬上了白雪皑皑的群山，注视着北方荒凉的土地。 “那边是什么？"他问。 回答是：“只有冰冻的沼泽。绵延千里，直到世界的最远处，除了冰雪覆盖的田野和冰的海洋，一无所有。” 于是亚历山大带着军队回到了南方。他攻占了印度的一大部分，征服了一个又一个富饶的城市。最后他来到恒河，他要过河，可是士兵们却不愿跟随他。 他们说：“我们不会再向前进了。" 亚历山大问道："这条大河的东面是什么？” 回答是："只有凌乱的森林。绵延千里，直到世界的最远处，除了森林，一无所有。" 于是亚历山大命人造了船只，带着军队驶进了印度河，顺流而下到了大海。 "前面是哪里？"他问。 回答是：“只有无边无际的水域。绵延千里，直到世界的最远处，除了水，一无所有。” 亚历山大说：“真的。凡是有人居住的地方都是我的了。东南西北，再也没有可以占领的地方了。可是，我的王国是多么小啊！” 因为再也没有他可以攻占的地方，于是他就坐下来哭泣了。 Why Alexander Wept Alexander with his little army overran all the western part of Asia. "The world is my kingdom,” he said. He conquered Persia, which was then the greatest and richest country known. He burned the mighty city of Tyre. He made himself the master of Egypt. He built, near the mouth of the Nile River, a splendid new city which he called, after his own name, Alexandria. "What lies west of Egypt?" he asked. “Only the great desert," was the answer. “To the farthest bounds of the earth there is nothing but sand, sand, burning sand.” So Alexander led his army back into Asia. He overran the country beyond the great -river Euphrates. He crossed the grassy plains that lie along the shores of the Caspian Sea. He climbed the snowy mountains that seem to overlook the world. He gazed northward upon a desolate land. "What lies beyond?" he asked. "Only frozen marshes," was the answer. "Mile after mile, mile after mile, to the farthest bounds of the earth there is nothing but fields of snow and seas of ice.” So Alexander led his army back toward the south. He overran a large part of India. He subdued one rich city after another. At last he came to a mighty river called the Ganges. He would have crossed the river, but his soldiers would not follow him. "We go no farther," they said. "What lies to the east of this wonderful stream?” asked Alexander. "Only tangled forests," was the answer. " Mile after mile, mile after mile, to the farthest bounds of the earth there is nothing else.” So Alexander caused ships to be built. He launched them on another river called the Indus, and with his army floated down to the sea. "What lies farther on?" he asked. "Only trackless waters,” was the answer. "Mile after mile, mile after mile, to the farthest bounds of the earth there is nothing but the deep sea.” "Truly, then," said Alexander, "all the inhabited world is mine. West, north, east, south, there is nothing more for me to conquer. But, after all, how small a kingdom it is!" Then he sat down and wept because there were not other worlds for him to conquer. |
