Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/275

 DION. 267 the sacrifice, he feasted them all in the race-course * of the Zacynthians, where he had made provision for their entertainment. And when here they beheld with won- der the quantity and the richness of the gold and silver plate, and the tables laid to entertain them, all far exceed- ing the fortunes of a private man, they concluded with themselves, that a man now past the prime of life, who was master of so much treasure, would not eneage him- self in so hazardous an enterprise without good reason of hope, and certain and sufficient assurances of aid from friends over there. Just after the libations were made,f and the accompanying prayers ofifered, the moon was eclipsed ; which was no wonder to Dion, who understood the revolutions of eclipses, and the way in which the inoon is overshadowed and the earth interposed between her and the sun. But because it was necessary that the soldiers, who were surprised and troubled at it, should be satisfied and encouraged, Miltas the diviner, standing up in" the midst of the assembly, bade them be of good cheer, and expect all happy success, for that the divine powers foreshowed that something at present glorious and resplendent should be eclipsed and obscured ; nothing at this time being moi-e splendid than the sovereignty of Dionysius, their arrival in Sicily should dim this glory, and extinguish this brightness. Thus Miltas, in public, descanted upon the incident. But concerning a swarm of bees which settled on the poop of Dion's ship, he privately told him and his friends, that he feared the great actions they were like to perform, though for a time they should thrive and flourish, would be of short continuance, and soon suffer a decay. It is reported, also, that many prodigies happened to Dionysius at that time. Greek circus. drinking of wine about to follow, t Just when the dinner itself
 * The enclosed Stadium or was over, and the dessert and