Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/38

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30 DEMOSTHENES. nians come for the safety and recovery of the sick." With this conduct the people of Athens were so well pleased, that they decreed the recall of Demosthenes from banishment. The decree was brought in by Demon the Pajanian, cousin to Demosthenes. So they sent him a ship to ^?^gina, and he laJnded at the port of Pirajus, where he was met and joyfully received by all the citizens, not so much as an Archou or a priest staying behind. And Demetrius, the Magnesian, says, that he lifted up his hands towards heaven, and blessed this day of his happy return, as far more honorable than that of Alcibiades ; since he was recalled by his countrymen, not through any force or constraint put upon them, but by their own good-will and free inchnations. There remained only his pecuniary fine, which, according to law, could not be remitted by the people. But they found out a way to elude the law. It was a custom with them to allow a certain quantity of silver to those who were to furnish and adorn the altar for the sacrifice of Jupiter Soter. This office, for that turn, they bestowed on Demosthenes, and for the per- formance of it ordered him fifty talents, the very sum in which he was condemned. Yet it was no long time that he enjoyed his country after his return, the attempts of the Greeks being soon all utterly defeated. For the battle at Cranon happened in Metagitnion, in Boedromion the garrison entered into Munychia, and in the Pyanepsion following died Demos- thenes after this manner. Upon the re]3ort that Antipater and Craterus were coming to Athens, Demosthenes with his party took their opportunity to escape privily out of the city ; but sentence of death was, upon the motion of Demades, passed upon them by the people. They dispersed them- selves, flying some to one place, some to another ; and Antipater sent about his soldiers into all quarters to