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dion-第6部分

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ess to the people; had under his feet the stately monument which Dionysius had been at such pains to erect; but because it was a sun…dial on which he stood when he was made general; they expressed some fears that the great actions he had performed might be subject to change; and admit some rapid turn and declination of fortune。   After this; Dion; taking the Epipolae; released the citizens who were imprisoned there; and then raised a wall to invest the castle。 Seven days after; Dionysius arrived by sea; and got into the citadel; and about the same time came carriages; bringing the arms and ammunition which Dion had left with Synalus。 These he distributed among the citizens; and the rest that wanted furnished themselves as well as they could; and put themselves in the condition of zealous and serviceable men…at…arms。   Dionysius sent agents; at first privately; to Dion; to try what terms they could make with him。 But he declaring that any overtures they had to make must be made in public to the Syracusans as a free people; envoys now went and came between the tyrant and the people; with fair proposals; and assurances that they should have abatements of their tributes and taxes; and freedom from the burdens of military expeditions; all which should be made according to their own approbation and consent with him。 The Syracusans laughed at these offers; and Dion returned answer to the envoys; that Dionysius must not think to treat with them upon any other terms but resigning the government; which if he would actually do; he would not forget how nearly he was related to him; or be wanting to assist him in procuring oblivion for the past; and whatever else was reasonable and just。 Dionysius seemed to consent to this; and sent his agents again; desiring some of the Syracusans to come into the citadel and discuss with him in person the terms to which on each side they might be willing; after fair debate; to consent。 There were; therefore; some deputed; such as Dion approved of; and the general rumour from the castle was; that Dionysius would voluntarily resign his authority; and rather do it himself as his own good deed than let it be the act of Dion。 But this profession was a mere trick to amuse the Syracusans。 For he put the deputies that were sent to him in custody; and by break of day; having first to encourage his men made them drink plentifully of raw wine; he sent the garrison of mercenaries out to make a sudden sally against Dion's works。 The attack was quite unexpected; and the barbarians set to work boldly with loud cries to pull down the cross…wall; and assailed the Syracusans so furiously that they were not able to maintain their post。 Only a party of Dion's hired soldiers; on first taking the alarm; advanced to the rescue; neither did they at first know what to do; or how to employ the aid they brought; not being able to hear the commands of their officers; amidst the noise and confusion of the Syracusans; who fled from the enemy and ran in among them; breaking through their ranks; until Dion; seeing none of his orders could be heard; resolved to let them see by example what they ought to do; and charged into the thickest of the enemy。 The fight about him was fierce and bloody; he being as well known by the enemy as by his own party; and all running with loud cries to the quarters where he fought。 Though his time of life was no longer that of the bodily strength and agility for such a combat; still his determination and courage were sufficient to maintain him against all that attacked him; but; while bravely driving them back; he was wounded in the hand with a lance; his body armour also had been much battered; and was scarcely any longer serviceable to protect him; either against missiles or blows hand…to…hand。 Many spears and javelins had passed into it through the shield; and; on these being broken back; he fell to the ground; but was immediately rescued; and carried off by his soldiers。 The command…in…chief he left to Timonides; and; mounting a horse; rode about the city; rallying the Syracusans that fled; and; ordering up a detachment of the foreign soldiers out of Achradina; where they were posted on guard; he brought them as a fresh reserve; eager for battle; upon the tired and failing enemy; who were already well inclined to give up their design。 For having hopes at their first sally to take the whole city; when beyond their expectation they found themselves engaged with bold and practised fighters; they fell back towards the castle。 As soon as they gave ground; the Greek soldiers pressed the harder upon them; till they turned and fled within the walls。 There were lost in this action seventy…four of Dion's men; and a very great number of the enemy。 This being a signal victory; and principally obtained by the valour of the foreign soldiers; the Syracusans rewarded them in honour of it with a hundred minae; and the soldiers on their part presented Dion with a crown of gold。   Soon after; there came heralds from Dionysius bringing Dion letters from the women of his family; and one addressed outside; 〃To his father; from Hipparinus;〃 this was the name of Dion's son; though Timaeus says; he was; from his mother Arete's name; called Aretaeus; but I think credit is rather to be given to Timonides's report; who was his father's fellow…soldier and confidant。 The rest of the letters were read publicly; containing many solicitations and humble requests of the women; that professing to be from his son; the heralds would not have them open publicly; but Dion; putting force upon them; broke the seal。 It was from Dionysius; written in the terms of it to Dion; but in effect to the Syracusans; and so worded that; under a plausible justification of himself and entreaty to him; means were taken for rendering him suspected by the people。 It reminded him of the good service he had formerly done the usurping government; it added threats to his dearest relations; his sister; son; and wife; if he did not comply with the contents; also passionate demands mingled with lamentations; and; most to the purpose of all; urgent recommendations to him not to destroy the government; and put the power into the hands of men who always hated him; and would never forget their old piques and quarrels; let him take the sovereignty himself; and so secure the safety of his family and his friends。   When this letter was read; the Syracusans were not; as they should have been; transported with admiration at the unmovable constancy and magnanimity of Dion; who withstood all his dearest interests to be true to virtue and justice; but; on the contrary; they saw in this their reason for fearing and suspecting that he lay under an invincible necessity to be favourable to Dionysius; and they began; therefore; to look out for other leaders; and the rather because to their great joy they received the news that Heraclides was on his way。 This Heraclides was one of those whom Dionysius had banished; a very good soldier; and well known for the commands he had formerly had under the tyrant; yet a man of no constant purpose; of a fickle temper; and least of all to be relied upon when he had to act with a colleague in any honourable command。 He had had a difference formerly with Dion in Peloponnesus; and had resolved; upon his own means; with what ships and soldiers he had; to make an attack upon Dionysius。 When he arrived at Syracuse; with seven galleys and three small vessels; he found Dionysius already close besieged; and the Syracusans high and proud of their victories。 Forthwith; therefore; he endeavoured by all ways to make himself popular; and; indeed; he had in him naturally something that was very insinuating and taking with a populace that loves to be courted。 He gained his end; also; the easier; and drew the people over to his side; because of the dislike they had taken to Dion's grave and stately manner; which they thought overbearing and assuming; their successes having made them so careless and confident that they expected popular arts and flatteries from their leaders before they had in reality secured a popular government。   Getting; therefore; together in an irregular assembly; they chose Heraclides their admiral; but when Dion came forward; and told them that conferring this trust upon Heraclides was in effect to withdraw that which they had granted him; for he was no longer their generalissimo if another had the command of the navy; they repealed their order; and; though much against their wills; cancelled the new appointment。 When this business was over; Dion invited Heraclides to his house; and pointed out to him; in gentle terms; that he had not acted wisely or well to quarrel with him upon a punctilio of honour; at a time when the least false step might be the ruin of all; and then; calling a fresh assembly of the people; he there named Heraclides admiral; and prevailed with the citizens to allow him a life…guard; as he himself had。   Heraclides openly professed the highest respect for Dion; and made him great acknowledgments for this favour; attending him with all deference; as ready to receive his commands but underhand he kept up his dealings with the populace and the unrulier citizens; unsettling their minds and disturbing them with his complaints; and putting Dion into the utmost perplexity and disquiet。 For if he advised to give Dionysius leave to quit the castle; he would be exposed to the imputation of sparing and protecting him; if; to avoid giving offence or suspicion; he simply continued the siege; they would say he protracted the war to keep his office of general the longer and overawe the citizens。   There was one Sosis; notorious in the city for his bad conduct and his impudence; yet a favourite with the people; for the very reason that they liked to see it made a part of popular privileges to carry free speech to this excess of licence。 This man; out of a design against Dion; stood up one day in an assembly; and; having sufficiently railed at the citizens as a set of fools that could not see how they had made an exchange of a dissolute and drunken for a sober and watchful despotism; and thus having publicly declared himself Dion's enemy; took his leave。 The next day he was seen running through the streets; as if he fled from some that pursued him; al
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