Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/295

 DION. 287 to assist us, the most inconsiderate and unfortunate of men, you may to your eternal honor again retrieve this unhappy city. But if the Sj'racusans can obtain no more pity nor relief from you, may the gods reward you for what you have formerly valiantly done for them, and for your kindness to Dion, of whom speak hereafter as one who deserted you not when you were injured and abused, nor afterwards forsook his fellow-citizens in their afflictions and misfortunes." Before he had yet ended his speech, the soldiers leapt up, and with a great shout testified their readiness for the service, crying out, to march immediately to the re- lief of the city. The Syracusan messengers hugged and embraced them, praying the Gods to send down blessings upon Dion and the Peloponnesians. When the noise was pretty well over, Dion gave orders that all should go to their quarters to prepare for their march, and, having re- freshed themselves, come ready armed to their rendez- vous in the place where they now were, resolving that very night to attempt the I'escue. Now at Syracuse, Dionysius's soldiers, as long as day continued, ransacked the city, and did all the mischief they could ; but when night came on, they retired into the castle, having lost some few of their number. At which the faction* ringleaders taking heart, and hoping the enemy would rest content with what they had done and make no further attempt upon them, persuaded the peo- ple again to reject Dion, and, if he came ■ndth the foreign soldiers, not to admit him ; advising them not to yield, as inferior to them in point of honor and courage, but to save their city and defend their Uberties and pi'operties themselves. The populace, thei'efore, and their leaders, sent messengers to Dion to forbid him to advance, whUe the noble citizens and the horse sent others to him to desire him to hasten his march : for which reason he