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第3节

timoleon-第3节

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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 plainly perceived
to be as it were a prize and recompense to Hicetes on one side for his
perfidy; and to the Carthaginians on the other for the sovereign power
they secured to him。 For it seemed utterly impossible to force and
overbear the Carthaginian ships that lay before them and were double
their number; as also to vanquish the victorious troops which
Hicetes had with him in Syracuse; to take the lead of which very
troops they had undertaken their voyage。
  The case being thus; Timoleon; after some conference with the envoys
of Hicetes and the Carthaginian captains; told them he should
readily submit to their proposals (to what purpose would it be to
refuse compliance?): he was desirous only; before his return to
Corinth; that what had passed between them in private might be
solemnly declared before the people of Rhegium; a Greek city; and a
common friend to the parties; this; he said; would very much conduce
to his own security and discharge; and they likewise would more
strictly observe articles of agreement; on behalf of the Syracusans;
which they had obliged themselves to in the presence of so many
witnesses。 The design of all which was only to divert their attention;
while he got an opportunity of slipping away from their fleet; a
contrivance that all the principal Rhegians were privy and assisting
to; who had a great desire that the affairs of Sicily should fall into
Corinthian hands; and dreaded the consequences of having barbarian
neighbours。 An assembly was therefore called; and the gates shut; that
the citizens might have no liberty to turn to other business; and a
succession of speakers came forward; addressing the people at great
length; to the same effect; without bringing the subject to any
conclusion; making way each for another and purposely spinning out the
time; till the Corinthian galleys should get clear of the haven; the
Carthaginian commanders being detained there without any suspicion; as
also Timoleon still remained present; and gave signs as if he were
just preparing to make an oration。 But upon secret notice that the
rest of the galleys were already gone off; and that his alone remained
waiting for him; by the help and concealment of those Rhegians that
were about the hustings and favoured his departure; he made shift to
slip away through the crowd; and running down to the port; set sail
with all speed; and having reached his other vessels; they came all
safe to Tauromenium in Sicily; whither they had been formerly invited;
and where they were now kindly received by Andromachus; then ruler
of the city。 This man was father of Timaeus the historian; and
incomparably the best of all those that bore sway in Sicily at that
time; governing his citizens according to law and justice and openly
professing an aversion and enmity to all tyrants; upon which account
he gave Timoleon leave to muster up his troops there; and to make that
city the seat of war; persuading the inhabitants to join their arms
with the Corinthian forces; and assist them in the design of
delivering Sicily。
  But the Carthaginians who were left in Rhegium perceiving; when
the assembly was dissolved; that Timoleon had given them the go…by;
were not a little vexed to see themselves out…witted; much to the
amusement of the Rhegians; who could not but smile to find Phoenicians
complain of being cheated。 However; they despatched a messenger aboard
one of their galleys to Tauromenium; who; after much blustering in the
insolent barbaric way; and many menaces to Andromachus if he did not
forthwith send the Corinthians off; stretched out his hand with the
inside upward; and then turning it down again; threatened he would
handle their city even so; and turn it topsy…turvy in as little
time; and with as much ease。 Andromachus; laughing at the man's
confidence; made no other reply; but; imitating his gesture; bid him
hasten his own departure; unless he had a mind to see that kind of
dexterity practised first upon the galley which brought him hither。
  Hicetes; informed that Timoleon had made good his passage; was in
great fear of what might follow; and sent to desire the
Carthaginians that a large number of galleys might be ordered to
attend and secure the coast。 And now it was that the Syracusans
began wholly to despair of safety; seeing the Carthaginians
possessed of their haven; Hicetes master of the town; and Dionysius
supreme in the citadel; while Timoleon had as yet but a slender hold
of Sicily; as it were by the fringe or border of it; in the small city
of the Tauromenians; with a feeble hope and a poor company; having but
a thousand soldiers at the most; and no more provisions; either of
corn or money; than were just necessary for the maintenance and the
pay of that inconsiderable number。 Nor did the other towns of Sicily
confide in him; overpowered as they were with violence and outrage;
and embittered against all that should offer to lead armies by the
treacherous conduct chiefly of Callipus; an Athenian; and Pharax; a
Lacedaemonian captain; both of whom; after giving out that the
design of their coming was to introduce liberty and to depose tyrants;
so tyrannized themselves; that the reign of former oppressors seemed
to be a golden age in comparison; and the Sicilians began to
consider those more happy who had expired in servitude; than any
that had lived to see such a dismal freedom。
  Looking; therefore; for no better usage from the Corinthian general;
but imagining that it was only the same old course of things once
more; specious pretences and false professions to allure them by
fair hopes and kind promises into the obedience of a new master;
they all; with one accord; unless it were the people of Adranum;
suspected the exhortations; and rejected the overtures that were
made them in his name。 These were inhabitants of a small city;
consecrated to Adranus; a certain god that was in high veneration
throughout Sicily; and; as it happened; they were then at variance
among themselves; insomuch that one party called in Hicetes and the
Carthaginians to assist them; while the other sent proposals to
Timoleon。 It so fell out that these auxiliaries; striving which should
be soonest; both arrived at Adranum about the same time; Hicetes
bringing with him at least five thousand men; while all the force
Timoleon could make did not exceed twelve hundred。 With these he
marched out of Tauromenium; which was about three hundred and forty
furlongs distant from that city。 The first day he moved but slowly;
and took up his quarters betimes after a short journey; but the day
following he quickened his pace; and; having passed through much
difficult ground; towards evening received advice that Hicetes was
just approaching Adranum; and pitching his camp before it; upon
which intelligence; his captains and other officers caused the
vanguard to halt; that the army being refreshed; and having reposed
a while; might engage the enemy with better heart。 But Timoleon;
coming up in haste; desired them not to stop for that reason; but
rather use all possible diligence

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