Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/142

 134 DEMETRIUS. own part, for fear Demetrius should take the hint to use them on his, the very thing he meant to do was first done to him. He accepted an invitation, and came to Deme- trius's quarters ; and when Demetrius, while they were still supping, rose from the table and went forth, the young man rose also, and followed him to the door, where Deme- trius, as he passed through, only said to the guards, " Kill him that follows me," and went on ; and Alexander was at once despatched by them, together with such of his friends as endeavored to come to his rescue, one of whom, before he died, said, " You have been one day too quick for us." The night following was one, as may be supposed, of disorder and confusion. And with the morning, the Macedonians, still in alarm, and fearful of the forces of Demetrius, on finding no violence offered, but only a message sent from Demeti'ius desiring an interview and opportunity for explanation of his actions, at last began to feel pretty confident again, and prepared to receive him favorably. And when he came, there was no need of much being said ; their hatred of Antipater for his murder of his mother, and the absence of any one better to govern them, soon decided them to proclaim Deme- trius king of Macedon. And into Macedonia they at once started and took him. And the Macedonians at home, who had not forgotten or forgiven the wicked deeds com- mitted by Cassander on the family of Alexander, were far from sorry at the change. Any kind recollections that still might subsist, of the plain and simple rule of the first Antipater, went also to the benefit of Demetrius, whose wife was Phila, his daughter, and his son by her, a boy already old enough to be serving in the army with his father, was the natural successor to the government. To add to this unexpected good fortime, news ai'rived that Ptolemy had dismissed his mother and children, be- stowing upon them presents and honors j and also that