Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/414

 406 ARATUS. Achfean government. So collecting tumultuously in the temple of Apollo, they sent for Aratus, having deter- mined to take or kill him before they broke out into open revolt. He came accordingly, leading his horse in his hand, as if he suspected nothing. Then several leap- ing up and accusing and reproaching him, with mild words and a settled countenance he bade them sit down, and not stand crying out upon him in a disorderly manner, desiring, also, that those that were about the door might be let in, and saying so, he stepped out quietly, as if he would give his horse to somebody. Clearing himself thus of the crowd, and speaking without discom- posure to the Corinthians that he met, commanding them to go to Apollo's temple, and being now, before they were aware, got near to the citadel, he leaped upon his horse, and commanding Cleopater, the governor of the garrison, to have a special care of his charge, he galloped to Sicyon, followed by thirty of his soldiers, the rest leav- ing him and shifting for themselves. And not long after, it being known that he was fled, the Corinthians pursued him, but not ovei'taking him, they immediately sent for Cleomenes and delivered up the city to him, who, how- ever, thought nothing they could give was so great a gain, as was the loss of their having let Aratus get away. Nevertheless, being strengthened by the accession of the j)eople of the Acte, as it is called, who put their towns into his hands, he proceeded to carry a palisade and lines of circumvallation around the Acro-Corinthus. But Aratus being arrived at Sicyon, the body of the AcliEeans there flocked to him, and, in an assembly there held, he was chosen general with absolute power, and he took about him a guard of his own citizens, it being now three and thirty years since he first took a part in public aftairs among the Achaeans, having in that time been the chief man in credit and power of all Greece ;