Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/505

 CLEOMENES. 497 Are we not still masters of our own swords ? And whilst we have Laconia in view, shall we not here free ourselves from this disgraceful misery, and clear ourselves to those who at Sellasia died for the honor and defence of Sparta ? Or, shall we sit lazily in Egypt, inquiring what news from Sparta, and whom Antigonus hath been pleased to make governor of Lacedaemon ? " Thus spoke Therycion; and this was Cleomenes's reply : " By seeking death, you cow- ard, the most easy and most ready refuge, you fancy that you shall appear courageous and brave, though this flight is baser than the former. Better men than we have given way to their enemies, having been betrayed by fortune, or oppressed by multitude ; but he that gives way under labor or distresses, under the ill opinions or reports of men, yields the victory to his own effeminacy. For a voluntary death ought not to be chosen as a relief from action, but as an exemplary action itself; and it is base either to live or to die only to ourselves. That death to which you now invite us, is proposed only as a release from our present miseries, but carries nothing of noble- ness or profit in it. And I think it becomes both me and you not to despair of our country; but when there are no hopes of that left, those that have an inclination may quickly die." To this Therycion returned no answer ; but as soon as he had an opportunity of leaving Cleom- enes's company, went aside on the sea-shore, and ran himself through. But Cleomenes sailed from iEgialia, landed in Libya, and beino- houorablv conducted through the king's coun- try, came to Alexandria. When he was first brought to Ptolemy, no more than common civilities and usual atten- tions were paid him ; but when, upon trial, he found him a man of deep sense and great reason, and that his plain Laconic way of conversation carried with it a noble and becoming grace, that he did nothing unbecoming his vol. iv. 32