stood weeping with his face covered； while the other two； drawing
out their swords； despatched him in a moment。
On the rumour of this act being soon scattered about； the better and
more generous of the Corinthians highly applauded Timoleon for the
hatred of wrong and the greatness of soul that had made him； though of
a gentle disposition and full of love and kindness for his family；
think the obligations to his country stronger than the ties of
consanguinity； and prefer that which is good and just before gain
and interest and his own particular advantage。 For the same brother；
who with so much bravery had been saved by him when he fought
valiantly in the cause of Corinth； he had now as nobly sacrificed
for enslaving her afterwards by a base usurpation。 But then； on the
other side； those that knew not how to live in a democracy； and had
been used to make their humble court to the men of power； though
they openly professed to rejoice at the death of the tyrant；
nevertheless； secretly reviling Timoleon； as one that had committed an
impious and abominable act； drove him into melancholy and dejection。
And when he came to understand how heavily his mother took it； and
that she likewise uttered the saddest complaints and most terrible
imprecations against him； he went to satisfy and comfort her as to
what had happened； and finding that she would not endure so much as to
look upon him； but caused her doors to be shut； that he might have
no admission into her presence； with grief at this he grew so
disordered in his mind and so disconsolate； that he determined to
put an end to his perplexity with his life； by abstaining from all
manner of sustenance。 But through the care and diligence of his
friends； who were very instant with him； and added force to their
entreaties； he came to resolve and promise at last； that he would
endure living； provided it might be in solitude； and remote from
company； so that； quitting all civil transactions and commerce with
the world for a long while after his first retirement； he never came
into Corinth； but wandered up and down the fields； full of anxious and
tormenting thoughts； and spent his time in desert places； at the
farthest distance from society and human intercourse。 So true it is
that the minds of men are easily shaken and carried off from their own
sentiments through the casual commendation or reproof of others；
unless the judgments that we make； and the purposes we conceive； be
confirmed by reason and philosophy； and thus obtain strength and
steadiness。 An action must not only be just and laudable in its own
nature； but it must proceed likewise from motives and a lasting
principle； that so we may fully and constantly approve the thing；
and be perfectly satisfied in what we do； for otherwise； after
having put our resolution into practice； we shall out of pure weakness
come to be troubled at the performance； when the grace and
godliness； which rendered it before so amiable and pleasing to us；
begin to decay and wear out of our fancy； like greedy people； who；
seizing on the more delicious morsels of any dish with a keen
appetite； are presently disgusted when they grow full； and find
themselves oppressed and uneasy now by what they before so greedily
desired。 For a succeeding dislike spoils the best of actions； and
repentance makes that which was never so well done become base and
faulty； whereas the choice that is founded upon knowledge and wise
reasoning does not change by disappointment； or suffer us to repent；
though it happen perchance to be less prosperous in the issue。 And
thus； Phocion； of Athens； having always vigorously opposed the
measures of Leosthenes； when success appeared to attend them； and he
saw his countrymen rejoicing and offering sacrifice in honour of their
victory； 〃I should have been as glad；〃 said he to them； 〃that I myself
had been the author of what Leosthenes has achieved for you； as I am
that I gave you my own counsel against it。〃 A more vehement reply is
record to have been made by Aristides the Locrian； one of Plato's
companions； to Dionysius the elder； who demanded one of his
daughters in marriage： 〃I had rather；〃 said he to him； 〃see the virgin
in her grave than in the palace of a tyrant。〃 And when Dionysius；
enraged at the affront； made his sons be put to death a while after；
and then again insultingly asked； whether he were still in the same
mind as to the disposal of his daughters； his answer was； 〃I cannot
but grieve at the cruelty of your deeds； but am not sorry for the
freedom of my own words。〃 Such expressions as these may belong perhaps
to a more sublime and accomplished virtue。
The grief； however； of Timoleon at what had been done； whether it
arose from commiseration of his brother's fate or the reverence he
bore his mother； so shattered and broke his spirits； that for the
space of almost twenty years he had not offered to concern himself
in any honourable or public action。 When； therefore； he was pitched
upon for a general； and； joyfully accepted as such by the suffrages of
the people； Teleclides； who was at that time the most powerful and
distinguished man in Corinth； began to exhort him that he would act
now like a man of worth and gallantry： 〃For；〃 said he； 〃if you do
bravely in this service we shall believe that you delivered us from
a tyrant； but if otherwise that you killed your brother。〃 While he was
yet preparing to set sail； and enlisting soldiers to embark with
him； there came letters to the Corinthians from Hicetes； plainly
disclosing his revolt and treachery。 For his ambassadors had no sooner
gone for Corinth； but he openly joined the Carthaginians；
negotiating that they might assist him to throw out Dionysius； and
become master of Syracuse in his room。 And fearing he might be
disappointed of his aim if troops and a commander should come from
Corinth before this were effected； he sent a letter of advice thither；
in all haste； to prevent their setting out； telling them they need not
be at any cost and trouble upon his account； or run the hazard of a
Sicilian voyage； especially since the Carthaginians； alliance with
whom against Dionysius the slowness of their motions had compelled him
to embrace； would dispute their passage； and lay in wait to attack
them with a numerous fleet。 This letter being publicly read； if any
had been cold and indifferent before as to the expedition in hand； the
indignation they now conceived against Hicetes so exasperated and
inflamed them all that they willingly contributed to supply
Timoleon； and endeavoured with one accord to hasten his departure。
When the vessels were equipped； and his soldiers every way
provided for； the female priest of Proserpina had a dream or vision
wherein she and her mother Ceres appeared to them in a travelling
garb； and were heard to say that they were going to sail with Timoleon
into Sicily； whereupon the Corinthians； having built a sacred
galley； devoted it to them； and called it the galley of the goddesses。
Timoleon went in person to Delphi； where he sacrificed to Apollo； and；
descending into the place of prophecy； was surprised with the
following marvellous occurrence。 A riband； with crowns and figures
of victory embroidered upon it； slipped off from among the gifts
that were there consecrated and hung up in the temple； and fell
directly down upon his head； so that Apollo seemed already to crown
him with success； and send him thence to conquer and triumph。 He put
to sea only with seven ships of Corinth； two of Corcyra； and a tenth
which was furnished by the Leucadians； and when he was now entered
into the deep by night； and carried with a prosperous gale； the heaven
seemed all on a sudden to break open； and a bright spreading flame
to issue forth from it； and hover over the ship he was in； and； having
formed itself into a torch； not unlike those that are used in the
mysteries； it began to steer the same course； and run along in their
company； guiding them by its light to that quarter of Italy where they
designed to go ashore。 The soothsayers affirmed that this apparition
agreed with the dream of the holy woman； since the goddesses were
now visibly joining in the expedition； and sending this light from
heaven before them： Sicily being thought sacred to Proserpina； as
poets feign that the rape was committed there； and that the island was
given her in dowry when she married Pluto。
These early demonstrations of divine favour greatly encouraged his
whole army； so that making all the speed they were able； by a voyage
across the open sea； they were soon passing along the coast of
Italy。 But the tidings that came from Sicily much perplexed
Timoleon； and disheartened his soldiers。 For Hicetes； having already
beaten Dionysius out of the field； and reduced most of the quarters of
Syracuse itself； now hemmed him in and besieged him in the citadel and
what is called the Island； whither he was fled for his last refuge；
while the Carthaginians； by agreement； were to make it their
business to hinder Timoleon from landing in any port of Sicily； so
that he and his party being driven back； they might with ease and at
their own leisure divide the island among themselves。 In pursuance
of which design the Carthaginians sent away twenty of their galleys to
Rhegium； having aboard them certain ambassadors from Hicetes to
Timoleon； who carried instructions suitable to these proceedings；
specious amusements； and plausible stories； to colour and conceal
dishonest purposes。 They had order to propose and demand that Timoleon
himself； if he liked the offer； should come and advise with Hicetes
and partake of all his conquests； but that he might send back his
ships and forces to Corinth； since the war was in a manner finished；
and the Carthaginians had blocked up the passage； determined to oppose
them if they should try to force their way towards the shore。 When；
therefore； the Corinthians met with these envoys at Rhegium； and
received their message； and saw the Phoenician vessels riding at
anchor in the bay； they became keenly sensible of the abuse that was
put upon them； and felt a general indignation against Hicetes； and
great apprehensions for the Siceliots； whom they now p