Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/155

 DEMETRIUS. 147 no sort of ofTence to Seleucus. But when lie perceived it was impossible to restrain the soldiers in their extreme necessity, Agathocles also having Ijlocked up all the . avenues of Mount Taurus, he wrote a letter to Seleucus, bewailing first all his own sad fortunes, and proceeding with entreaties and suppUcations for some compassion on his part towards one near!}' connected with him, who was fallen into such calamities as might extort tenderness and pity from his very enemies. These letters so far moved Seleucus, that he gave orders to the governors of those provinces that they should furnish Demetrius with all things suitable to his royal rank, and with sufficient provisions for his troops. But Patrocles, a person whose judgment was greatly valued, and who was a friend highly trusted by Seleucus, pointed out to him, that the expense of maintaining such a body of soldiers was the least important consideration, but that it was contrary to all policy to let Demetrius stay in the country, since he, of all the kings of his time, was the most violent, and most addicted to daring enter- prises ; and he was now in a condition which might tempt persons of the greatest temper and moderation to unlawful and desperate attempts. Seleucus, excited by this advice, moved with a powerful army towards Cilicia ; and Demetrius, astonished at this sudden alteration, be- took himself for safety to the most inaccessible places of Mount Taiu-us ; from whence he sent envoys to Seleucus, to request from him that he would permit him the liberty to settle with his army somewhere among the independent barbarian tribes, where he might be able to make himself a petty king, and end his life without fur- ther travel and hardship ; or, if he refused him this, at any rate to give his troops food during the winter, and not expose him in this distressed and naked comlitiou to the fm'y of his enemies.