Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/294

286 DION. worst of clangers they well remembered, calling to mind not only with what an undaunted spirit he always be- haved himself, but also with what courage and confidence he inspired them when he led them against the enemy. They immediately, therefore, despatched Archonides and Telesides of the confederate troops, and of the horse- men Hellaniciis and four others. These, traversing the road between at their horses' full speed, reached the town of the Leontines in the evening. The first thing they did was to leap from their horses and fall at Dion's feet, relating with tears the sad condition the Syracusans were in. Many of the Leontines and Peloponnesians began to throng about them, guessing by their speed and the manner of their address that something extraordinary had occurred. Dion at once led the way to the assembly, and, the people being gathered together in a very little time, Archonides and Hellanicus and the others came in amonsr them, and in short declared the misery and distress of the Syracusans, begging the foreign soldiers to forget the injuries they had received, and assist the afflicted, who had suffered more for the wrong they had done, than they themselves who received it woidd (had it been in their power) have inflicted upon them. When they had made an end, there was a profound silence in the theatre ; Dion then stood up, and began to speak, but tears stopped his words ; his soldiers were troubled at his grief, but bade him take good courage and proceed. When he had re- covered himself a little, therefore, " Men of Peloponnesus," he said, " and of the confederacy, I asked for your presence here, that you might consider your own interests. For myself, I have no interests to consult while Syracuse is perishing, and, though I may not save it from destruction, I will nevertheless hasten thither, and be biu-ied in the ruins of my country. Yet if you can find in your hearts