his Arm side-way to a Pillar and leaning his Forehead upon his Elbow he rested his Body a little while and ran over in his Thoughts what course he should take and then with his Friends went presently to Gythium where finding Ships fitted for the purpose they embark'd Antigonus taking the City Treated the Lacedemonians courteously and neither affronting nor ruining the Dignity of Sparta but permitting them to enjoy their own Laws and Polity and sacrificing to the Gods dislodg'd the the third day for he heard that there was a great War kindled in Macedonia and that the Country was spoil'd by the Barbarians besides he grew sick of a Consumption and continual Defluxion on the Lungs yet he still kept up that he might return and free his own Country and fall more Gloriously upon an heap of slaughter'd Barbarians As Phylarchus says and 't is probable he broke a Vein by shouting in the Battle In the Plays 't was said that after the Victory he cry'd out for Joy O fine Day and presently bringing up abundance of Blood fell into a Fever and dy'd in a short time And thus much concerning Antigonus Cleomenes sailing from Cytherae touch'd at another Island call'd Aegyalia whence as he was about to depart from Cyrene one of his Friends Therycion by name a Man of an haughty Spirit in all Enterprizes and high and boasting in his Talk came privately to him and said thus Sir Death in Battel which is the most Glorious we have let go though all heard us say that Antigonus should never tread over the King of Sparta unless dead And now that which is next in Bravery and Glory is presented to us Whither do we madly sail flying that which is near and seeking that which is far removed For if it is not dishonourable for the Race of Hercules to serve the Successors of Philip and Alexander we shall save a long Voyage by delivering our selves up to Antigonus who probably surpasseth Ptolomy as much as the Macedonians do the Aegyptians but if we think it mean to submit to those whose Arms have conquer'd us why should we chuse him for our Lord by whom we have not yet been beaten Is it that instead of one we might appear meaner than two whilst we fly Antigonus and flatter Ptolemy Or is it for your Mothers sake that you retreat to Aegypt It will indeed be a very fine and very desirable sight for her to be shown her Son by Ptolemy 's Women now chang'd from a Prince into an Exile and a Slave Are we not still Masters of our own Swords And whilst we have Laconia in view shall we not here free our selves from this disgraceful Misery and clear our selves to those who at Sellasia dy'd for the Honour and Defence of Sparta Or shall we sit lazily in Aegypt enquiring what News from Sparta and whom Antigonus hath been pleas'd to make Governor of Lacedemon Thus spoke Therycion and this was Cleomenes's Reply By seeking Death you Coward the most easie and most ready Refuge you fancy that you shall appear couragious and brave though this Flight is baser than thy former Better Men than we have given way to their Enemies having been betray'd by Fortune or oppress'd by Multitude but he that sinks under Labour or Afflictions the Opinions or Reproaches of Men is overcome by his own Effeminacy and Softness For a voluntary Death ought not to be chosen as a Relief from Action but an Exemplary Action it self and 't is base either to live or die only to our selves That Death to which you now invite us I propos'd only as a Release from our present Miseries but carries nothing of Bravery or Profit in it And I think it becomes both me and you not to despair of our Country but when there are no hopes of that left those that have an Inclination may quickly die To this Therycion return'd no Answer but as soon as he could get out of Cleomenes's Company went toward the Shore and ran himself through But Cleomenes sailed from Aegialia landed in Lybia and being honourably conducted through the King's Country came to Alexandria When he was first brought to Ptolomy no more than common Civilities and usual Ceremonies were paid him but when upon tryal he found him a Man of deep Sense and great Reason and that his plain Laconick way of Conversation carried a free Pleasantness with it that he did nothing unbecoming the greatness of his Birth nor bent under Fortune and appear'd a more faithful Counsellor than those who made it their business to please and flatter he was asham'd and repented that he had neglected so great a Man and suffer'd Antigonus to get so much Power and Reputation by ruining him Therefore he heap'd up Honours and Kindnesses on Cleomenes and gave him Hopes that he would furnish him with an Army and a Navy to recover Greece and re-instate him in his Throne Besides he allow'd him a yearly Pension of four and twenty Tallents a little part of which Sum supplied his and his Friends thrifty Temperance and the rest was imploy'd in doing good Offices to and in relieving the Necessities of those that fled Greece and retir'd into Aegypt But the elder Ptolomy dying before Cleomenes's Affairs had receiv'd a full Dispatch and the Successor being a loose voluptuous and effeminate Prince under the power of his Pleasures and his Women his Business was neglected for the King was so besotted with his Women and his Wine that Balls Musick and Dancing were the only Employments of his most busie and serious hours and the greatest Affairs of State were manag'd by Agathoclea the King's Mistress her Mother and the Pimp Oinanthes Therefore at the first they seem'd to stand in need of Cleomenes for Ptolemy being afraid of his Brother Magas who by his Mother's means had a great Interest among the Soldiers took Cleomenes into his Cabinet-Council and acquainted him with the Design of taking off his Brother He though all were for it declar'd his opinion to the contrary saying The King if it were possible should have more Brothers for the better security and management of his Affairs And Sosibius the greatest Favourite replying That they were not secure of the Mercenaries whilst Magas was alive Cleomenes return'd That he need not trouble himself about that Matter for amongst the Mercenaries there were above 3000 Pelopponesians who were his fast Friends and whom he could command at any time with his Nod. This Discourse made Cleomenes for the present to be look'd upon as a Man of Integrity and Power but afterwards Ptolomy's Weakness increasing his Fear and as it usually happens where there is no Judgment and Wisdom at the bottom placing his Security in Jealousie and Suspicion rendred Cleomenes suspected to the Courtiers as having too much Interest with the Mercenaries and many had this Saying in their Mouths That he was a Lion midst a flock of Sheep for such he seem'd to be in the Court slyly overlooking and taking
Cost and was very zealous to promote the same Interest and though of her self she had no Inclination to marry yet for her Son's sake she wedded one of the chiefest Citizens for Wealth and Power Cleomenes marching forth with the Army now under his Command took Leuctra a place belonging to Megalopolis and the Achaeans quickly facing him with a good body of Men commanded by Aratus in a Battle under the very Walls of the City some part of his Army was routed But Aratus commanding the Achaeans not to pass a deep Hollow and stopping the Pursuit Lydiadas the Megalopolitan fretting at the Orders encouraging the Horse which he led and pursuing the routed Enemy fell into a place full of Vines Hedges and Ditches and being forc'd to break his Ranks was put into a great Disorder Cleomenes observing the Advantage commanded the Tarentines and Cretans to engage him by whom after a brave Dispute he was routed and slain The Lacedaemonians thus encouraged with a great shout fell upon the Achaeans and routed their whole Army Of the slain which were very many some Cleomenes delivered upon Articles but the Body of Lydiadas he commanded to be brought to him and then putting on it a purple Robe and a Crown upon its Head sent a Convoy with it to the Gates of Megalopolis This Lydiadas was the Man that resign'd his Crown restor'd Liberty to the Citizens and joyn'd the City to the Achaean Interest Cleomenes being very much raised by this Success and perswaded that if matters were wholly at his Disposal he should quickly be too hard for the Achaeans He taught Megistones his Mother's Husband That 't was expedient for the State to shake off the Power of the Ephori and to put all their Wealth into one common Stock for the whole Body That Sparta being restor'd to its old Equality might be rais'd up to be Mistriss of all Greece Megistones liked the Design and engaged two or three more of his Friends About that time one of the Ephori sleeping in Pasiphae's Temple dream'd a very surprizing Dream for he thought he saw the four Chairs removed out of the place where the Ephori used to sit and hear Causes and one only set there and whilst he wondred he heard a Voice out of the Temple saying This is best for Sparta The Person telling Cleomenes this Dream he was a little troubled at first fearing that he us'd this as a Trick to sift him upon some Suspicion of his Design but when he was satisfied that the Relater spoke truth he took heart again and taking with him those whom he thought would be against his model he took Eraea and Alcaea two Cities of the Achaeans furnish'd Orchomenium with Provisions besieg'd Mantinaea and with long marches so harass'd the Lacedaemonians that many of them desir'd to be left in Arcadia and he satisfy'd their Request With the Mercenaries he march'd to Sparta and by the way communicated his Design to those whom he thought fittest for his Purpose and march'd slowly that he might catch the Ephori at Supper When he was come near the City he sent Eurycleidas to the Sussitium the eating place of the Ephori under pretence of carrying some Message from him from the Army Threicion Phaebis and two of those which were bred with Cleomenes which they call Samothracae follow'd with a few Souldiers And whilst Eurycleidas was delivering his Message to the Ephori they ran upon them with their drawn Swords and slew them Agesilaus as soon as he was run through fell and lay as dead but in a little time he rose silently convey'd himself out of the Room and crept undiscover'd into a little House which was the Temple of Fear and which always us'd to be shut but was then by chance open being got in he shut the Door and lay close the other four were kill'd and above ten more that came to their Assistance to those that were quiet they did no harm stopt none that fled the City and spar'd Agesilaus who came out of the Temple the next day The Lacedaemonians have not only Temples dedicated to Fear but also to Death Laughter and the like Passions now they worship Fear not as they do those Deities which they dread esteeming it hurtfull but thinking their Polity is chiefly kept up by Law and therefore the Ephori Aristotle is my Author when they enter upon their Government make Proclamation to the People that they should shave their Whiskers and be obedient to the Laws that they might not be forc'd to be severe using this trivial Particular in my opinion to accustom their Youth to Obedience even in the smallest Matters And the Ancients I think did not imagine Fortitude to be plain fearlessness but a cautious Fear of Infamy and Disgrace for those that show most Fear towards the Laws are most bold against their Enemies and those are least afraid of any Danger who are most afraid of a just reproach Therefore he said well A Reverence still attends on Fear And Homer Fear'd you shall be dear Vncle and rever'd And again In silence fearing those that bore the sway For 't is very commonly seen that Men reverence those whom they fear and therefore the Lacedaemonians plac'd the Temple of Fear by the Sussitium of the Ephori having rais'd their Power to almost absolute Monarchy The next day Cleomenes proscrib'd 80 of the Citizens whom he thought necessary to banish and removed all the Seats of the Ephori except one in which he himself design'd to sit and hear Causes and calling the Citizens together he made an Apology for his Proceedings saying That by Lycurgus the Senate was joyn'd to the Kings and that that model of Government had continued a long time and needed no other sort of Magistrates to give it perfection But afterward in the long War with the Messenians when the Kings being to command the Army had no time to attend civil Causes they chose some of their Friends and left them to determine the Suits of the Citizens in their stead These were call'd Ephori and at first behav'd themselves as Servants to the Kings but afterward by degrees they appropriated the Power to themselves and erected a distinct sort of Magistracy An evidence of the Truth of this may be taken from the usual Behaviour of the Kings who upon the first and second Message of the Ephori refuse to go but upon the third readily attend them And Asteropus the first that rais'd the Ephori to that height of Power liv'd a great many years after their Institution therefore whil'st they modestly contain'd themselves within their own proper Sphear 't was better to bear with them than to make a disturbance But that an upstart introduc'd Power should so far destroy the old model of Government as to banish some Kings murder others without hearing their defence and threaten those who desir'd to see the best and most divine Constitution restor'd in Sparta was unsufferable Therefore if it had been
notice of the management of Affairs therefore when he desir'd a Navy and an Army from the King his Petition was rejected But when he understood that Antigonus was dead that the Achaians were engag'd in a War with the Aetolians and that the Affairs of Pelopponnesus being now in very great Distraction and Distress requir'd and invited his Assistance he desir'd leave to depart only with his Friends but could not obtain that the King not so much as hearing his Petition being shut up amongst his Women and wasting his Hours in Debauchery and Frolicks But Sosibius the chief Minister of State thought that Cleomones being detain'd against his will would grow ungovernable and dangerous and yet that it was not safe to let him go being an aspiring daring Man and well acquainted with the Diseases and Weakness of the Kingdom for no Presents no Gifts could win him to a Complyance But as the Ox Apis though revelling in all possible plenty and delight yet desires to live as nature would provide for him to be at liberty and frisk about the Fields and can scarce endure to be uuder the Priests keeping so he could not brook their Courtship and tender Entertainment but like Achilles Whilst there his heart did waste with secret grief And he was eager for the noisy Wars His Affairs standing in this condition Nicagoras the Messenian came to Alexandria a Man that deeply hated Cleomenes yet pretended to be his Friend for he had formerly sold Cleomenes a fair Estate but never receiv'd the Money because Cleomenes was either unable as it may be or else by reason of his engagement in the Wars and other Distractions had no time to pay him Cleomenes seeing him landing for he was then walking upon the Key kindly saluted him and ask'd What Business brought to Aegypt Nicagoras return'd his Compliment and told him That he came to bring some excellent War-horses to the King And Cleomenes with a Smile subjoyn'd I wish you had rather brought Pimps Whores and Pathicks for those now are the King 's chief Delight Nicagoras at the present smil'd at the Conceit but a few days after he put Cleomenes in mind of the Estate that he had bought of him and desir'd his Money protesting that he would not have trouble him if his Merchandize had turned to that Account which he thought it would Cleomenes reyly'd That he had not a penny left of all that had been given him At which Answer Nicagoras being nettled told Sosibius Cleomenes's Scoff upon the King He caress'd him for the Discovery but desiring to have some greater Reason to excite the King against Cleomenes persuaded Nicagoras to leave a Letter written against Cleomenes importing that he had a Design if he could have gotten Ships and Soldiers to surprize Cyrene Nicagoras wrote such a Letter and left Aegypt Four days after Sosibius brought the Letter to Ptolomy pretending it was just then deliver'd him and with a bitter Invective excited the Fury of the Youth upon this it was agreed that Cleomenes should be invited into a large Apartment and treated as formerly but not suffer'd to go out again this Usage was grievous to Cleomenes and by this unlucky Accident his Hopes for the future seem'd to be quite dash'd Ptolomy the Son of Chrysermas a Favourite of the Kings always carried himself fairly towards Cleomenes they contracted a near Acquaintance and would talk freely together about the State He upon Cleomenes's Desire came to him had some Discourse with him upon a few and inconsiderable Subjects to avoid suspicion and made some Excuses for the King but as he went out again not knowing that Cleomenes follow'd him to the Door he very severely reprimanded the Keepers for their Carelessness in looking after so great and so furious a wild Beast This Cleomenes himself heard and retiring before Ptolomy perceiv'd it told his Friends what he had heard Upon this they cast off all their former Hopes and determin'd for violent Proceedings resolving to be reveng'd on Ptolomy for his base and unjust Dealing to have satisfaction for the Affronts to die as it became Spartans and not stay till like fatted Sacrifices they were Butcher'd for 't was both grievous and dishonourable for Cleomenes who had scorn'd to come to Terms with Antigonus a brave Warrior and a Man of Action to wait an effeminate King's leisure till he should lay aside his Fiddle and end his Dance and then kill him These Courses being resolv'd on and Ptolomy hapning at the same time to make a Progress to Canopus they first spread abroad a Report that his Freedom was order'd by the King and it being the King's custom to send Presents and an Entertainment to those whom he would free Cleomenes Friends made that Provision and sent it into the Prison thereby deceiving the Keepers who thought it had been sent by the King for he sacrific'd and gave them large Pottions and with a Crown upon his Head feasted and made merry with his Friends 't is said that he began the Action sooner than he design'd having understood that a Servant of one of the Accomplices lay abroad with a Mistress that he lov'd This made him afraid of a Discovery and therefore as soon as it was full Noon and all the Keepers drunk and fast asleep he put on his Coat and opening the Seam on his right Shoulder with his drawn Sword in his hand he issued forth together with his Friends provided in the same manner making 13 in all One of them by Name Hippotas was lame he follow'd the first Onset very well but when afterward he perceiv'd that they were more slow in their Advances for his sake he desir'd them to run him through and not ruine their Enterprize by staying for an useless unprofitable Man By chance an Alexandrian was then riding by the Door him they threw off and setting Hippotas on Horseback ran through the narrow Lanes and proclaim'd Liberty to the People but they it seems had Courage enough to praise and admire Cleomenes's Daring but not one had the heart to follow and assist him Three of them fell on Ptolomy the Son of Chrysermas as he was coming out of the Palace and kill'd him Another Ptolomy the Lieutenant of the City advancing against them in a Chariot they set upon dispers'd his Guards and Attendants and pulling him out of the Chariot kill'd him upon the place Then they made toward the Castle designing to break open the Prison and take the Prisoners to their Assistance but the Keepers were too quick for them and secur'd the Passages Being baffled in this attempt Cleomenes with his Company roam'd about the City none joyning with him but all retreating from and flying his approach therefore despairing of Success and saying to his Friends That it was no wonder that Women rul'd o'er those Men that fled Liberty he excited them all to dye as bravely as became his Followers and Men of their Glorious performances This said Hippotas was first as he
of more How I could curse my Name of Ptolomy For 't is so long it asks an Hour to write it By Heav'n I 'll change it into Iove or Mars Or any other civil Monosyllable That will not tire my Hand Sosyb. These are for Common Good Shewing Papers Ptol. I am glad of that Those shall be sure to wait Sosyb. Orders to pay the Soldiers ripe for Mutiny They may Revolt Ptol. To whom Sosyb. The Man you fear Your Brother Magas Ptol. That 's indeed the danger Give me the Physick Let me swallow quick There 's Ptolomy for that Now not one more For every Minute I expect Cassandra To call me to the Musick If she should find me at this rare Employment Of Signing out her Treasures Sosyb The rest are only Grants to her you love And places for her Friends Ptol. I 'll Sign 'em all were every one a Province Thou know'st her Humor not to brook denial And then a Quarrel on her Birth-day too Would be of ill presage Signs more Papers Enter Cassandra Women Cassand I heard you waired but you 'll pardon me I was not sooner Drest Ptol. Thus I begin my Homage to the Day Kisses her Hand That brought me forth a Mistriss and am proud To be your foremost Slave Cassand Our little Entertainment waits not worth A longer Ceremony please to Grace it The SCENE opens and discovers Cassandra's Apartment Musicians and Dancers Ptolomy leads in Cassandra Sosybius follows They Sit. Towards the end of the Song and Dance Enter Cleomenes and Cleanthes on one side of the Stage where they stand SONG NO no poor suff'ring Heart no Change endeavour Choose to sustain the smart rather than leave her My ravish'd Eyes behold such Charms about her I can dye with her but not live without her One tender Sigh of hers to see me Languish Will more than pay the price of my past Anquish Beware O cruel Fair how you smile on me 'T was a kind Look of yours that has undone me Love has in store for me one happy Minute And She will end my pain who did begin it Then no day void of Bliss or Pleasure leaving Ages shall slide away without perceiving Cupid shall guard the Door the more to please us And keep out Time and Death when they would seize us Time and Death shall depart and say in flying Love has found out a way to Live by Dying After the Musick is over Cleomenes speaks Cleom. to Cleanth Is this the Council of th' Aegyptian King And am I call'd upon the Grave Debate To judge of trilling Notes and tripping Feet Cleanth 'T is of a piece with all the rest of Ptolomey A Singing and a Dancing Government O Aegypt Aegypt Thou art grown the Lees Of all the World The slime of thy own Nyle Sure we had neither Human Syres nor Mothers The Sun and Nyle begot us W' are so Cowardly And yet so proud so many Gods we have And yet not One Cleom. No more They seem to gaze on me with wonder Cleanth And well they may to see a Man in Aegypt King Cassand Sosyb. rise and come forward Ptol. Welcome Royal Stranger Not only to my Court but to my Bosom Cleom. I heard you sent for me but on what Business Am yet to learn Ptol. The greatest in the World To see the Man Whom even his Foes extoll His Friends adore And all Mankind admire Cleom. Say rather Sir A Man forsaken of his better Stars A banish'd Prince The shadow of a King Pto. My Fathers Friend Cleom. I must not think so vainly of my self To be what you have said lest it upbraid you To let your Fathers Friend for three long Months Thus Dance attendance for a word of Audience Cassand Now by my Soul 't is nobly urg'd He speaks As if he were in Sparta on his Throne aside Not asking Aid but granting How little looks our Pageant Prince to him This is the only King I ever saw Cleom. By all the Gods when I have stood repuls'd Before your Gates and could not gain admittance I have not Sigh'd so much for my own sorrows As I have blush'd for your ungenerous Usage Cleanth Not a word Ptolomey Asham'd by all that 's good to be miscall'd A King when this is present Cleom. Think you 't is nothing For me to beg That I constrain my Temper To sue for Aid which you should first have offer'd Believe me Ptolomey a Noble Soul Does much that asks He gives you pow'r t' oblige him Know Sir There 's a proud Modesty in merit Averse from begging and resolv'd to pay Ten times the Gift it asks Pto. I have been to blame And you have justly tax'd my long neglect I am Young and am a Lover and how far Fair Eyes may make even Kings forgetful Look And read my best Excuse Cleanth O Miracle He blushes Aside The first red Virtue I have ever seen Upon that Face Cassand I am sorry Sir y'have made me your Excuse As if I stood betwixt the Good you meant And intercepted every Royal Grace Now in my own Defence I must solicite All his concerns as mine And if my Eyes have pow'r He should not sue In vain nor linger with a long delay Ptolo. Well! J'll consider Cassand Say that word again And I 'll consider too Ptolo. Prithee be satisfy'd He shall be aided Or I 'll no more be King Cleanth When wert thou one For shame for shame ye Gods aside That e'er you put it in a Strumpets power To do so good a Deed Cleom. I am a Spartan Madam scarce of Words We have but just enough to speak our Meaning Be thank'd That 's all I could have said to Iove Had Iove like you restor'd me to my Crown Sosyb. The Gods have giv'n you Sir the speedy means to Cleom. To satisfie your Debt of Gratitude Cleom. Oh make me happy Tell me how this Sword This and my Heart are all that 's left me now Can be Employ'd to serve the Crown of Aegypt Cleanth Well said Father Thou art a true Statesman aside So much for so much is the way at Court Sosyb. My King has in the Camp a Younger Brother Valiant they say but very Popular He gets too far into the Soldiers Grace And Inches out my Master Cleom. Is the King Assur'd of this by any Overt-Act Or any close Conspiracy reveal'd Ptolo. He has it in his pow'r to be a Traytor And that 's enough Sosyb. He has it in his will too Else why this Ostentation of his Virtues His Bounty Valour and his Temperance Why are they thus expos'd to publick View But as a Venus set besides a Monster To make an Odious Comparison As if his Brother wanted what he boasts Ptolo. What 's to be done with him Cassand There needs no more I think but to contrive With Secresy and Safety to Dispatch him Cleanth I thank thee that thou hast not Cozen'd me aside In this Advice For two good deeds together Had been too much in
slain himself with a considerable part of his Army Therefore they admir'd the Dispatch and Contrivance of Cleomenes and those that before derided him for saying that he imitated Solon and Lycurgus in releasing the People from their debts and in equally dividing the Wealth of the Citizens were now perswaded that he was the cause of the desirable Alterations in the Spartan Common-wealth For before they were very low in the World and so unable to secure their own that the Aetolians invading Laconia brought away fifty thousand Slaves so that one of the elder Spartans is reported to have said That They had done Laconia a kindness by unburdening it and yet a little while after applying themselves to their own Customs and ancient Institution they gave notable Instances of Courage as Obedience and if they had been under the Eye of Lycurgus himself and quickly rais'd Sparta to be Head of all Greece and recover'd Peloponnesus to themselves Whilst Argos was taken and Cleonae and Philius sided with Cleomenes Aratus was at Corinth searching after some who were reported to favour the Spartan Interest The News being brought to him disturb'd him very much for he perceiv'd the City inclining to Cleomenes and the Achaeans willing to be at ease therefore he call'd all the Citizens into the common Hall and as it were undesignedly retreating to the Gate he mounted his Horse that stood ready there and fled to Sicyon and the Corinthians made such hast to Cleomenes at Argos that as Aratus says striving who should be first there they spoil'd all their Horses and Cleomenes was very angry with the Corinthians for letting Aratus escape And Megistones came from Cleomenes to him desiring him to deliver up the Castle of Corinth which was then garrison'd by the Achaeans and offer'd him a considerable Sum of Money and that he answered That Matters were not now in his Power but he in theirs Thus Aratus himself writes But Cleomenes marching from Argos and taking in the Traezenians Epidaurians and Hermioneans came to Corinth and block'd up the Castle which the Achaeans would not surrender and sending for Aratus's Friends and Stewards committed his House and Estate to their Care and Management and sent Tritimallus the Messenian to him a second time desiring that the Castle might be equally garrison'd by the Spartans and Achaeans and promising to Aratus himself double the Pension that he receiv'd from King Ptolomy But Aratus refusing the Conditions and sending his own Son with other Hostages to Antigonus and perswading the Achaeans to make a Decree for delivering the Castle into Antigonus's Hands Cleomenes invaded the Territority of the Sicyonians and by a Decree of the Corinthians seiz'd on all Aratus's Estate In the mean time Antigonus with a great Army pass'd Gerania and Cleomenes thinking it more adviseable to fortifie and garrison not the Isthmus but the Mountains called Onia and by a long Siege and Skirmishes to weary the Macedonians than to venture a set Battle put his Design in Execution which very much distress'd Antigonus for he had not brought Victuals sufficient for his Army nor was it easie to force a way through whilst Cleomenes guarded the Pass He attempted by night to pass through Lechaeum but fail'd and lost some Men so that Cleomenes and his Army were mightily encouraged and so flusht with the Victory and they went merrily to Supper and Antigonus was very much dejected being reduc'd to those miserable straits At last he design'd to march to the Promontory Heraeum and thence transport his Army in Boats to Sicyon which would take up a great deal of time and be very chargeable The same time about Evening some of Aratus's Friends came from Argos by Sea and invited him to return for the Argives would revolt from Cleomenes Aristotle was the Man that wrought the Revolt and he had no hard task to perswade the common People for they were all angry with Cleomenes for not releasing them from their Debts as they expected Upon this Advertisement Aratus with fifteen hundred of Antigonus's Souldiers fail'd to Epidaurus but Aristotle not staying for his coming drew out the Citizens and fought against the Garrison of the Castle and Timoxenus with the Achaeans from Sicyon came to his Assistance Cleomenes heard the News about the second Watch of the Night and sending for Megistones angrily commanded him to go and set things right at Argos This Megistones was the Man who pass'd his word for the Argives Loyalty and perswaded him not to banish the suspected This Megistones he dispatch'd with two thousand Souldiers and observ'd Antigonus himself and encouraged the Corinthians pretending that there was no great matter in the Stirs at Argos but only a little Disturbance rais'd by a few inconsiderable Persons But when Megistones entring Argos was slain and the Garrison could scarce hold out and frequent Messengers came to Cleomenes for Succours he fearing least the Enemy having taken Argos should shut up the Passes and securely waste Laconia and besiege Sparta it self which he had left without Forces he dislodg'd from Corinth and presently lost that City for Antigonus entred it and garrison'd the Town He turn'd aside from his direct March and assaulting the Wall of Argos endeavour'd to break in and having clear'd a way under the quarter called Aspis he joyn'd the Garrison which still held out against the Achaeans some parts of the City he scal'd and took and his Cretan Archers clear'd the Streets But when he saw Antigonus with his Phalanx descending from the Mountains into the Plain and the Horse on all sides entring the City he thought it impossible to maintain his Post and therefore with all his Men made a safe Retreat behind the Wall Having in a short time rais'd himself to a considerable height and in one March made himself Master of almost all Peloponnesus and lost all again in as short a time For some of his Allies presently forsook him and others not long after put themselves under Antigonus's Protection His Army thus defeated as he was leading back the Relicks of his Forces some from Lacedaemon met him in the Evening at Tegea and brought him News of as great a Misfortune as that which he had lately suffer'd and that was the Death of his Wife whom he doted on so much that when he was most prosperous he would ever now and then make a step to Sparta to visit his beloved Aegiatis This News afflicted him extreamly and he griev'd as a young Man would do for the loss of a very beautiful and excellent Wife yet his Passion did not debase the greatness of his Mind but keeping his usual Voice his Countenance and his Habit he gave necessary Orders to his Captains and took care to secure the Tegeans The next day he retir'd to Sparta and having at home with his Mother and Children bewail'd the loss and finish'd his Mourning he presently appear'd about the publick Affairs of the State Now Ptolomy the King of Aegypt promis'd him