Difference between revisions of "Page from Plutarch's Life of Demetrius"

Latest revision as of 08:49, 6 April 2007

Copied from a page given to the party by Norro in Philippi, the only of his texts to survive the Bulgarian sack. Originally requested by Gershon, who found something therein a cause for excitement.

    Water in one deceitful hand she shows, 
    While burning fire within her other glows. 
    
    The same fortune that drew him off with these disastrous tidings from Sparta, in a moment 
    after opened upon him a new and wonderful prospect, of the following kind. Cassander, 
    King of Macedon, dying, and his eldest son Philip, who succeeded him, not long surviving 
    his father, the two younger brothers fell at variance concerning the succession. And 
    Antipater having murdered his mother Thessalonica, Alexander, the younger brother, called 
    in to his assistance Pyrrhus out of Epirus, and Demetrius out of the Peloponnese. Pyrrhus 
    arrived first, and, taking in recompense for his succor a large slice of Macedonia, had 
    made Alexander begin to be aware that he had brought upon himself a dangerous neighbor. 
    And, that he might not run a yet worse hazard from Demetrius, whose power and reputation 
    were so great, the young man hurried away to meet him at Dium, whither he, who on 
    receiving his letter had set out on his march, was now come. And, offering his greetings 
    and grateful acknowledgments, he at the same time informed him that his affairs no longer 
    required the presence of his ally, thereupon he invited him to supper.  There were not 
    wanting some feelings of suspicion on either side already and when Demetrius was now on 
    his way to the banquet, some one came and told him that in the midst of the drinking he 
    would be killed. Demetrius showed little concern, but, making only a little less haste, 
    he sent to the principal officers of his army commanding them to draw out the soldiers, 
    and make them stand to their arms, and ordered his retinue (more numerous a good deal 
    than that of Alexander) to attend him into the very room of the entertainment, and not to 
    stir from thence till they saw him rise from the table. Thus Alexander’s servants, found 
    themselves overpowered had not courage to attempt anything. And, indeed, Demetrius gave 
    them no opportunity. for he made a very short visit and pretending to Alexander that he 
    was not in present in health for drinking wine, left early. And the next day he occupied 
    himself in preparations for departing, telling Alexander he had received intelligence 
    that obliged him to leave, begging him to excuse so sudden a parting; he would hope to 
    see him further when his affairs allowed him leisure. Alexander was only too glad, not 
    only that he was going, but that he was doing so of his own motion, without any offence, 
    and proposed to accompany him into Thessaly.  But when they came to Larissa, new 
    invitations passed between them, new professions of good-will, covering new conspiracies; 
    by which Alexander put himself into the power of Demetrius. For as he did not like to use 
    precautions on his own part, for fear Demetrius should take the hint to use them on his, 
    the very thing he meant to use was first done to him. He accepted an invitation, and came 
    to Demetrius’ quarters; and when Demetrius, while they were still supping, rose from the 
    table and went forth, the young man rose also, and followed him to the door, where 
    Demetrius, as he passed through, only said to the guards, "Kill him that follows me," and 
    went on; and Alexander was at once dispatched by them, together with such of his friends 
    as endeavored to come to his rescue, one of whom, before he died, said, "You have been 
    one day too quick for us." 
    
    The night following was one, as may be supposed of disorder and confusion  And with the 
    morning, the Macedonians, still in alarm, and fearful of the forces of Demetrius, on 
    finding no violence offered, but only a message sent from Demetrius desiring an interview 
    and opportunity for explanation of his actions, at last began to feel pretty confident 
    again, and prepared to receive him favorably. And when he came, there was no need of much 
    being said; their hatred of Antipater for his murder of his mother, and the absence of 
    any one better to govern them, soon decided them to proclaim Demetrius King of Macedon. 
    And into Macedonia they at once started and took him. And the Macedonians at home, who 
    had not forgotten or forgiven the wicked deeds committed by Cassander on the family of 
    Alexander, were far from sorry at the change.  Any kind recollections that still might 
    subsist of the plain and simple rule of the first Antipater went also to the benefit of 
    Demetrius, whose wife was Phila, his daughter, and his son by her, a boy already old 
    enough to be serving in the army with his father, was the natural successor to the 
    government. 
    
    To add to this unexpected good fortune, news arrived that Ptolemy had dismissed his 
    mother and children, bestowing upon them presents and honors, and also that his daughter 
    Stratonice, whom he had married to Seleucus, was remarried to Antiochus, the son of 
    Seleucus, and proclaimed Queen of Upper Asia.  This was not the same Stratonice who is 
    also called Derelzena, who was the daughter of Corrhaeus and Ikulu and was 
    the mother of Demetrius.  
    
    For Antiochus, it appears, had fallen passionately in love with Stratonice, the young 
    queen, who had already made Seleucus the father of a son.  He struggled very hard with 
    the beginning of this passion, and at last, resolving with himself that his desires were 
    wholly unlawful, his malady past all cure, and his powers of reason too feeble to act, he 
    determined on death, and thought to bring his life slowly to extinction by neglecting his 
    person and refusing nourishment, under the pretence of being ill.  Erasistratus, the 
    physician who attended him, quickly perceived that love was his distemper, but the 
    difficulty was to discover the object.  He therefore waited continually in his chamber, 
    and when any of the beauties of the court made their visit to the sick prince, he 
    observed the emotions and alterations in the countenance of Antiochus, and watched for 
    the changes which he knew to be indicative of the inward passions and inclinations of the 
    soul.  He took notice that the presence of other women produced no effect upon him; but 
    when Stratonice came, as she often did, alone, or in company with Seleucus, to see him, 
    he observed in him all Sappho's famous symptoms,- his voice faltered, his face flushed 
    up, his eyes glanced stealthily, a sudden sweat broke out on his skin, the beatings of 
    his heart were irregular and violent and, unable to support the excess of his passion, he 
    would sink into a state of faintness, prostration, and pallor.