There once was a king whose name was Dionysius. He was so unjust and cruel that he won himself the name of tyrant. He knew that almost everybody hated him, and so he was always in dread lest some one should take his life.

But he was very rich, and he lived in a fine palace where there were many beautiful and costly things, and he was waited upon by a host of servants who were always ready to do his bidding. One day a friend of his, whose name was Damocles, said to him -"How happy you must be! You have here everything that any man could wish."

"Perhaps you would like to trade places with me," said the tyrant.

"No, not that, O king!" said Damocles; "but I think that, if I could only have your riches and your pleasures for one day, I should not want any greater happiness."Very well," said the tyrant. "You shall have them."

And so, the next day, Damocles was led into the palace, and all the servants were bidden to treat him as their master. He sat down at a table in the banquet hall, and rich foods were placed before him. Nothing was wanting that could give him pleasure. There were costly wines, and beautiful flowers, and rare perfumes, and delightful music. He rested among soft cushions, and felt that he was the happiest man in all the world.

Then he chanced to raise his eyes toward the ceiling. What was it that was dangling above him, with it's point almost touching his head? It was a sharp sword, and it was hung by only a single horsehair. What if the hair should break? There was danger every moment that it would do so.

The smile faded from the lips of Damocles. His face became very pale. His hands trembled. He wanted no more food; he could drink no more wine; he took no more delight in the music. He longed to be out of the palace, and away, he cared not where.

"What is the matter?" said the tyrant.

"That sword! That sword!" cried Damocles. He was so badly frightened that he dared not move.

"Yes," said Dionysius, "I know there is a sword above your head, and that it may fall at any moment. But why should that trouble you? I have a sword over my head all the time. I am every moment in dread lest something may cause me to lose my life."

"Let me go," said Damocles. "I now see that I was mistaken, and that the rich and powerful are not so happy as they seem. Let me go back to my old home in the poor little cottage amon the mountains."

And so long as he lived, he never again wanted to be rich, or to change places with the king.

That's a long post. Just tell me where I need to go and take a photo.

Fauxie said:

Do ya really want me to tell you?

littlemissG said:

Yes please.

excellent. where did you get this story from? when i here the name Dionysius i think of the greek god of wine (or Bacchus?) does this have anything to do with him? oy vey i think i'm confusing myself. i like the story anyway

If the Captain were still around, he would say he has it in his pants.

So do you think popstars who have everything they do picked apart are as happy as they seem?

The sword of Damocles is hanging over my head
And I've got the feeling someone's gonna be cutting the thread
Oh, woe is me, my life is a misery
Oh, can't you see that I'm at the start of a pretty big downer?

I woke up this morning with a start when I fell out of bed
And left from my dreaming was a feeling of unnameable dread
My high is low, I'm dressed up with no place to go
And all I know, is I'm at the start of a pretty big downer...

Sha-la-la-la that ain't no crime
That ain't no crime

Rocky Horror you need peace of mind
And I want to tell you that you're doing just fine
You're the product of another time
And feeling down, well that's no crime...

The sword of Damocles is hanging over my head
And I've got the feeling someone's gonna be cutting the thread
Oh, woe is me, my life is a mystery
Oh, can't you see that I'm at the start of a pretty big downer?

Sha-la-la-la that ain't no crime
That ain't no crime

GottaLetitgo said:

No. But speaking of Ye Olde S.O.D. (from Lou Reed's Magic and Loss):

purplerein said:

Are my quotes no pathetic enough on their own without having to embellish them.