46 The Prince Tames a Horse

A horse named Bucephalus was offered for sale to Philip, King of Macedonia in about 340 B.C. The king, his son Alexander, and many others went to see it. The horse appeared extremely fierce. No one could mount it. King Philip was displeased and said, “Take this wild creature away.” But Alexander said, “What a horse they are losing because they lack the skill and spirit to manage him.” Philip turned and said, “Young man, you find fault with your elders as if you know more than they or could manage the horse better.”

The prince quietly replied, “I know I can manage the horse better.”

“If you should not be able to ride him, what will you give up?”

“I will pay the price of the horse.”

The king agreed to the bet. Alexander grasped the horse’s bridle and quickly turned him toward the sun so he would not see his shadow, which was what had disturbed him. While the horse pranced, Alexander spoke softly and stroked him. Then he leaped lightly upon the horse’s back. Without pulling the reins too hard or using a whip or spurs, he set Bucephalus to running to a full gallop. Philip and his court looked on in great fear. He pushed him on to the end of the field. Alexander suddenly wheeled the horse and raced back at tremendous speed. Loud shouts broke out from the group. Alexander’s father, weeping with joy, kissed him and said, “My son, seek another kingdom that may be worthy of your abilities, for Macedonia is too small for you.”

一匹名为布塞法洛斯的马被带到公元前约340年的马其顿国王菲利普面前出售。国王、他的儿子亚历山大以及许多其他人都去看这匹马。这匹马看起来极其凶猛，没人能骑上它。菲利普国王很不高兴，说道：“把这匹野马牵走。”但亚历山大说：“他们因为缺乏驾驭它的技巧和勇气而失去了一匹好马。”菲利普转过身说：“年轻人，你指责长辈，好像你比他们懂得更多，或者能更好地驾驭这匹马似的。”

王子平静地回答：“我知道我能更好地驾驭这匹马。”

“如果你不能骑它，你愿意付出什么代价？”

“我愿意支付这匹马的价钱。”

国王同意了这个赌约。亚历山大抓住马的缰绳，迅速把它转向太阳，这样马就不会看到自己的影子——那正是困扰它的原因。当马腾跃时，亚历山大轻声说话并抚摸它。然后他轻盈地跳上马背。他没有把缰绳拉得太紧，也没用鞭子或马刺，就让布塞法洛斯全速奔驰起来。菲利普和他的朝臣们都十分惊恐地看着。他策马跑到场地的尽头，亚历山大突然掉转马头，以惊人的速度疾驰回来。人群中爆发出阵阵欢呼。亚历山大的父亲喜极而泣，亲吻他并说：“我的儿子，去寻找另一个配得上你才能的王国吧，因为马其顿对你来说太小了。”