Philonicus the Thessalian brought the horse Bucephalus to Philip, offering
to sell him for thirteen talents; but when they went into the field to
try him, they found him so very vicious and unmanageable, that he reared
up when they endeavoured to mount him, and would not so much as endure
the voice of any of Philip's attendants. Upon which, as they were leading
him away as wholly useless and untractable, Alexander, who stood by, said,
"What an excellent horse do they lose for want of address and boldness
to manage him!" Philip at first took no notice of what he said; but
when he heard him repeat the same thing several times, and saw he was much
vexed to see the horse sent away, "Do you reproach," said he
to him, "those who are older than yourself, as if you knew more, and
were better able to manage him than they?" "I could manage this
horse," replied he, "better than others do." "And if
you do not," said Philip, "what will you forfeit for your rashness?"
"I will pay," answered Alexander, "the whole price of the
horse." At this the whole company fell a-laughing; and as soon as
the wager was settled amongst them, he immediately ran to the horse, and
taking hold of the bridle, turned him directly towards the sun, having,
it seems, observed that he was disturbed at and afraid of the motion of
his own shadow; then letting him go forward a little, still keeping the
reins in his hands, and stroking him gently when he found him begin to
grow eager and fiery, he let fall his upper garment softly, and with one
nimble leap securely mounted him, and when he was seated, by little and
little drew in the bridle, and curbed him without either striking or spurring
him. Presently, when he found him free from all rebelliousness, and only
impatient for the course, he let him go at full speed, inciting him now
with a commanding voice, and urging him also with his heel. Philip and
his friends looked on at first in silence and anxiety for the result, till
seeing him turn at the end of his career, and come back rejoicing and triumphing
for what he had performed, they all burst out into acclamations of applause;
and his father shedding tears, it is said, for joy, kissed him as he came
down from his horse, and in his transport said, "O my son, look thee
out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little
for thee."
Bucephalus,
Plutarch