The Image of Nabis

The wicked and cruel Nabis--the last of the Spartan kings of Greece--had an image set up in his palace, which resembled his own beautiful wife.

It was clothed with magnificent garments, such as were proper for a queen to wear; but the breast and arms of the image were stuck full of sharp iron spikes, which were hidden by the rich clothes.

When King Nabis wished to extort money from any person, he invited him to his palace, and led him up to be introduced to the queen. No sooner was the stranger within reach, than the image, by means of machinery, put out its arms, and squeezed him close to its breast. The man might struggle; but, with iron spikes piercing his flesh, there was no escape from the cruel embrace of the statue until his agony compelled him to give the king as much money as he asked.