友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!
合租小说网 返回本书目录 加入书签 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 『收藏到我的浏览器』

dion-第5部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完,想下次继续接着阅读,可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能!


 continuance; and soon suffer a decay。 It is reported; also; that many prodigies happened to Dionysius at that time。 An eagle; snatching a javelin from one of the guard; carried it aloft; and from thence let it fall into the sea。 The water of the sea that washed the castle walls was for a whole day sweet and potable; as many that tasted it experienced。 Pigs were farrowed perfect in all their other parts; but without ears。 This the diviners declared to portend revolt and rebellion; for that the subjects would no longer give ear to the commands of their superiors。 They expounded the sweetness of the water to signify to the Syracusans a change from hard and grievous times into easier and more happy circumstances。 The eagle being the bird of Jupiter; and the spear an emblem of power and command; this prodigy was to denote that the chief of the gods designed the end and dissolution of the present government。 These things Theopompus relates in his history。   Two ships of burden carried all Dion's men; a third vessel; of no great size; and two galleys of thirty oars attended them。 In addition to his soldiers' own arms; he carried two thousand shields; a very great number of darts and lances; and abundant stores of all manner of provisions; that there might be no want of anything in their voyage; their purpose being to keep out at sea during the whole voyage; and use the winds; since all the land was hostile to them; and Philistus; they had been told; was in Iapygia with a fleet; looking out for them。 Twelve days they sailed with a fresh and gentle breeze; on the thirteenth; they made Pachynus; the Sicilian cape。 There Protus; the chief pilot; advised them to land at once and without delay; for if they were forced again from the shore; and did not take advantage of the headland; they might ride out at sea many nights and days; waiting for a southerly wind in the summer season。 But Dion; fearing a descent too near his enemies; and desirous to begin at a greater distance; and further on in the country; sailed on past Pachynus。 They had not gone far; before stress of weather; the wind blowing hard at north; drove the fleet from the coast; and it being now about the time that Arcturus rises; a violent storm of wind and rain came on; with thunder and lightning; the mariners were at their wits' end; and ignorant what course they ran; until on a sudden they found they were driving with the sea on Cercina; the island on the coast of Africa; just where it is most craggy and dangerous to run upon。 Upon the cliffs there they escaped narrowly of being forced and staved to pieces; but; labouring hard at their oars; with much difficulty they kept clear until the storm ceased。 Then; lighting by chance upon a vessel; they understood they were upon the Heads; as it is called; of the Great Syrtis; and when they were now again disheartened by a sudden calm; and beating to and fro without making any way; a soft air began to blow from the land; when they expected anything rather than wind from the south; and scarce believed the happy change of their fortune。 The gale gradually increasing; and beginning to blow fresh; they clapped on all their sails; and; praying to the gods; put out again into the open seas; steering right from Africa for Sicily。 And; running steady before the wind; the fifth day they arrived at Minoa; a little town of Sicily; in the dominion of the Carthaginians; of which Synalus; an acquaintance and friend of Dion's; happened at that time to be governor; who; not knowing it was Dion and his fleet; endeavoured to hinder his men from landing; but they rushed on shore with their swords in their hands; not slaying any of their opponents (for this Dion had forbidden; because of his friendship with the Carthaginians); but forced them to retreat; and; following close; pressed in a body with them into the place; and took it。 As soon as the two commanders met; they mutually saluted each other; Dion delivered up the place again to Synalus; without the least damage done to any one therein; and Synalus quartered and entertained the soldiers; and supplied Dion with what he wanted。   They were most of all encouraged by the happy accident of Dionysius' absence at this nick of time; for it appeared that he was lately gone with eighty sail of ships to Italy。 Therefore; when Dion was desirous that the soldiers should refresh themselves there; after their tedious and troublesome voyage; they would not be prevailed with; but earnest to make the best use of that opportunity; they urged Dion to lead them straight on to Syracuse。 Leaving; therefore; their baggage; and the arms they did not use; Dion desired Synalus to convey them to him as he had occasion; and marched directly to Syracuse。   The first that came in to him upon his march were two hundred horse of the Agrigentines who were settled near Ecnomum; and; after them; the Geloans。 But the news soon flying to Syracuse; Timocrates; who had married Dion's wife; the sister of Dionysius; and was the principal man among his friends now remaining in the city; immediately despatched a courier to Dionysius; with letters announcing Dion's arrival; while he himself took all possible care to prevent any stir or tumult in the city; where all were in great excitement; but as yet continued quiet; fearing to give too much credit to what was reported。 A very strange accident happened to the messenger who was sent with the letters; for being arrived in Italy; as he travelled through the land of Rhegium; hastening to Dionysius at Caulonia; he met one of his acquaintance; who was carrying home part of a sacrifice。 He accepted a piece of the flesh; which his friend offered him; and proceeded on his journey with all speed; having travelled a good part of the night; and being; through weariness; forced to take a little rest; he laid himself down in the next convenient place he came to; which was in a wood near the road。 A wolf; scenting the flesh; came and seized it as it lay fastened to the letter…bag; and with the flesh carried away the bag also; in which were the letters to Dionysius。 The man; awaking and missing his bag; sought for it up and down a great while; and; not finding it; resolved not to go to the king without his letters; but to conceal himself; and keep out of the way。   Dionysius; therefore; came to hear of the war in Sicily from other hands; and that a good while after。 In the meantime; as Dion proceeded in his march; the Camarineans joined his forces; and the country people in the territory of Syracuse rose and joined him in a large body。 The Leontines and Campanians; who; with Timocrates; guarded the Epipolae; receiving a false alarm which was spread on purpose by Dion; as if he intended to attack their cities first; left Timocrates; and hastened off to carry succour to their own homes。 News of which being brought to Dion; where he lay near Macrae; he raised his camp by night; and came to the river Anapus which is distant from the city about ten furlongs; there he made a halt; and sacrificed by the river; offering vows to the rising sun。 The soothsayers declared that the gods promised him victory; and they that were present; seeing him assisting at the sacrifice with a garland on his head; one and all crowned themselves with garlands。 There were about five thousand that had joined his forces in their march; who; though but ill…provided; with such weapons as came next to hand; made up by zeal and courage for the want of better arms; and when once they were told to advance; as if Dion were already conqueror; they ran forward with shouts and acclamations; encouraging each other with the hopes of liberty。   The most considerable men and better sort of the citizens of Syracuse; clad all in white; met him at the gates。 The populace set upon all that were of Dionysius's party; and principally searched for those they called setters or informers; a number of wicked and hateful wretches; who made it their business to go up and down the city; thrusting themselves into all companies; that they might inform Dionysius what men said; and how they stood affected。 These were the first that suffered; being beaten to death by the crowd。   Timocrates; not being able to force his way to the garrison that kept the castle; took horse; and fled out of the city; filling all the places where he came with fear and confusion; magnifying the amount of Dion's forces that he might not be supposed to have deserted his charge without good reason for it。 By this time; Dion was come up; and appeared in the sight of the people; he marched first in a rich suit of arms; and by him on one hand his brother; Megacles; on the other; Callippus the Athenian; crowned with garlands。 Of the foreign soldiers; a hundred followed as his guard; and their several officers led the rest in good order; the Syracusans looking on and welcoming them; as if they believed the whole to be a sacred and religious procession; to celebrate the solemn entrance; after an absence of forty…eight years; of liberty and popular government。   Dion entered by the Menitid gate; and having by sound of trumpet quieted the noise of the people; he caused proclamation to be made; that Dion and Megacles; who were come to overthrow the tyrannical government; did declare the Syracusans and all other Sicilians to be free from the tyrant。 But; being desirous to harangue the people himself; he went up through the Achradina。 The citizens on each side the way brought victims for sacrifice; set out their tables and goblets; and as he passed by each door threw flowers and ornaments upon him; with vows and acclamations; honouring him as a god。 There was under the castle and the Pentapyla a lofty and conspicuous sun…dial; which Dionysius had set up。 Getting up upon the top of that; he made an oration to the people; calling upon them to maintain and defend their liberty; who; with great expressions of joy and acknowledgment; created Dion and Megacles generals; with plenary powers; joining in commission with them; at their desire and entreaty; twenty colleagues; of whom half were of those that had returned with them out of banishment。 It seemed also to the diviners a most happy omen that Dion; when he made his address to the people; had under his feet the stately monument which Dionysius had been at such pains to
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0
快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!