Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/258

 250 DION. were trusted for Gelon's sake ; but for yoiu- sake no man will ever hereafter be trusted again." For, indeed, Gelon had made a monarchy appear the best, whereas Diony- sius had convinced men that it was the worst, of govern- ments. Dionj^sius had three children by Doris, and by Aristo- mache four, two of which were daughters, Sophrosyne and Arete. Sophrosyne was married to his son Dionysius ; Arete, to his brother Thearides, after whose death, Dion received his niece Arete to wife. Now when Dionysius was sick and like to die, Dion endeavored to speak with him in behalf of the children he had by Aristomache, but was still prevented by the physicians, who wanted to ingratiate themselves with the next successor, who also, as Timajus reports, gave him a sleeping potion which he asked for, which produced an insensibility only followed by his death. Nevertheless, at the first council which the young Dionysius held with his friends, Dion discoursed so well of the present state of affairs, that he made all the rest appear in their politics but children, and in their votes rather slaves thnn counsellors, who timorously and dis- ingenuously advised what would please the young man, rather than what would advance his interest. But that which startled them most was the proposal he made to avert the imminent danger they feared of a war with the Carthaginians, undertaking, if Dionysius wanted peace, to sail immediately over into Africa, and conclude it there upon honoi'able terms; but, if he rather preferred war, then he would fit out and maintain at his own cost and charges fifty galleys ready for the service. Dionysius wondered much at his greatness of mind, and received his offer with satisfaction. But the other courtiers, thinking his generosity reflected upon them, and jealous of being lessened by his greatness, from hence