philopoemen-第5部分
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Nabis。 Some few; to make their court to Dinocrates; were for torturing
and then putting him to death as a dangerous and irreconcilable enemy;
all the more formidable to Dinocrates; who had taken him a prisoner;
should he after this misfortune regain his liberty。 They put him at
last into a dungeon underground; which they called the treasury; a
place into which there came no air nor light from abroad; and which;
having no doors; was closed with a great stone。 This they rolled
into the entrance and fixed; and placing a guard about it; left him。
In the meantime Philopoemen's soldiers; recovering themselves after
their flight; and fearing he was dead when he appeared nowhere; made a
stand; calling him with loud cries; and reproaching one another with
their unworthy and shameful escape; having betrayed their general;
who; to preserve their lives; had lost his own。 Then returning after
much inquiry and search; hearing at last that he was taken they sent
away messengers round about with the news。 The Achaeans resented the
misfortune deeply; and decreed to send and demand him; and in the
meantime drew their army together for his rescue。
While these things passed in Achaea; Dinocrates; fearing that any
delay would save Philopoemen; and resolving to be beforehand with the
Achaeans; as soon as night had dispersed the multitude; sent in the
executioner with poison; with orders not to stir from him till he had
taken it。 Philopoemen had then laid down; wrapt up in his cloak; not
sleeping; but oppressed with grief and trouble; but seeing light; and
a man with poison by him; struggled to sit up; and; taking the cup;
asked the man if he heard anything of the horsemen; particularly
Lycortas? The fellow answering; that most part had got off safe; he
nodded; and looking cheerfully upon him; 〃It is well;〃 he said; 〃that
we have not been every way unfortunate;〃 and without a word more;
drank it off; and laid him down again。 His weakness offering but
little resistance to the poison; it despatched him presently。
The news of his death filled all Achaea with grief and
lamentation。 The youth; with some of the chief of the several
cities; met at Megalopolis with a resolution to take revenge without
delay。 They chose Lycortas general; and falling upon the Messenians;
put all to fire and sword; till they all with one consent made their
submission。 Dinocrates; with as many as had voted for Philopoemen's
death; anticipated their vengeance and killed themselves。 Those who
would have had him tortured; Lycortas put in chains and reserved for
severer punishment。 They burnt his body; and put the ashes into an
urn; and then marched homeward; not as in an ordinary march; but
with a kind of solemn pomp; half triumph; half funeral; crowns of
victory on their heads; and tears in their eyes; and their captive
enemies in fetters by them。 Polybius; the general's son; carried the
urn; so covered with garlands and ribbons as scarcely to be visible;
and the noblest of the Achaeans accompanied him。 The soldiers followed
fully armed and mounted; with looks neither altogether sad as in
mourning; nor lofty as in victory。 The people from all towns and
villages in their way flocked out to meet him; as at his return from
conquest; and; saluting the urn; fell in with the company and followed
on to Megalopolis; where; when the old men; the women and children
were mingled with the rest; the whole city was filled with sighs;
complaints and cries; the loss of Philopoemen seeming to them the
loss of their own greatness; and of their rank among the Achaeans。
Thus he was honourably buried according to his worth; and the
prisoners were stoned about his tomb。
Many statues were set up; and many honours decreed to him by the
several cities。 One of the Romans in the time of Greece's
affliction; after the destruction of Corinth; publicly accusing
Philopoemen; as if he had been still alive; of having been the enemy
of Rome; proposed that these memorials should be all removed。 A
discussion ensued; speeches were made; and Polybius answered the
sycophant at large。 And neither Mummius nor the lieutenants would
suffer the honourable monuments of so great a man to be defaced;
though he had often crossed both Titus and Manius。 They justly
distinguished; and as became honest men; betwixt usefulness and
virtue… what is good in itself; and what is profitable to particular
parties… judging thanks and reward due to him who does a benefit
from him who receives it; and honour never to be denied by the good to
the good。 And so much concerning Philopoemen。
THE END