Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/286

 278 DION. before they had in reality secured a popular govorn- ment. Getting therefore together in an irregular assembly, they chose Ileraclides their admiral ; but when Dion came forward, and told them, that conferring this trust upon Heraclides was in effect to withdraw that which they had granted him, for he was no longer their gen- eralissimo if another had the command of the navy, they repealed their order, and, though much against their wills, cancelled the new appointment. When this busi- ness was over, Dion invited Heraclides to his house, and pomted out to him, in gentle terms, that he had not acted wisely of well to quarrel with him upon a punctilio of honor, at a time when the least false step might be the ruin of all ; and then, calling a fresh assembly of the peo- ple, he there named Heraclides admiral, and prevailed with the citizens to allow him a life-guard, as he liimself had. Heraclides openly professed the highest respect for Dion, and made him great acknowledgments for this favor, attending him with all deference, as ready to re- ceive his commands; but underhand he kept up his dealings with the populace and the unrulier citizens, unsettliuQ- their minds and disturbina; them with his com- plaints, and putting Dion into the utmost perplexity and disquiet. For if he advised to give Dionysius leave to quit the castle, he would be exposed to the imputation of sparing and protecting him ; if, to avoid giving offence or suspicion, he simply continued the siege, they would say he protracted the wai-, to keep his office of general the longer, and overawe the citizens. There was one Sosis, notorious in the city for his bad conduct and his impudence, yet a favorite with the peo- ple, for the very reason that they liked to see it made a