Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/119

DEMETRIUS. Ill But that which added more than all to the glory and splendor of the success was the hmuane and generous conduct of Demetrius to the vanquished. For. after he had given honorable funerals to the dead, he bestowed liberty upon the living ; and that he might not forget the Athenians, he sent them, as a present, complete arms for twelve hundred men. To carry this happy news, Aristodemus of Miletus, the most perfect flatterer belonging to the court, was de- spatched to Antigonus ; and he, to enhance the welcome message, was resolved, it would appear, to make his most successful effort. When he crossed from Cyprus, he bade the galley which conveyed him come to anchor off tbe land ; and, having ordered all the ship's crew to remain aboard, he took the boat, and was set ashore alone. Thus he proceeded to Antigonus, who, one may well imagine, was in suspense enough about the issue, and suffered all the anxieties natural to men engaged in so perilous a struggle. And when he heard that Aristodemus was coming alone, it put him into yet greater trouble ; he could scarcely forbear from going out to meet him him- self; he sent messenger on messenger, and friend after friend, to inquire what news. But Aristodemus, walking gravely and with a settled countenance, without making . any answer, still proceeded quietly onward ; imtil Anti- gonus, quite alarmed and no longer able to refrain, got up and met him at the gate, whither he came with a crowd of anxious followers now collected and running after him. As soon as he saw Antigonus within hearing, stretching out his hands, he accosted him with the loud exclamation, " Hail, king Antigonus ! we have defeated Ptolemy by sea, and have taken Cyprus and sixteen thousand eight hun- dred prisoners." " Welcome, Aristodemus," replied Anti- gonus, " but, as you chose to torture us so long for. your good news, you may wait awhile for the reward of it."