known raw novices in that faculty, wherein themselves are noted as extraordinary. Pyrrhus was a captain whom later ages, and particularly the great Hannibal, placed higher in the rank of generals than either Demetrius or any of Alexander's followers. At this time he missed that part of the army which Demetrius led, and fell upon the other half; which he overthrew, not with more commendations of his good conduct, than of his private valour shewed in single combat against Pantauchus, Demetrius's lieutenant, who, being a strong man of body, challenged this young prince to fight hand to hand, and was utterly beaten. The loss of this battle did not so much offend the Macedonians, as the gallant behaviour of Pyrrhus delighted them. For in him they seemed to behold the lively figure of Alexander in his best quality. Other kings did imitate, in a counterfeit manner, some of Alexander's graces, and had good skill in wearing princely vestures; but, said they, none, save Pyrrhus, is like him indeed in performing the office of a captain.

These rumours were not more nourished by the virtue of the Epirot, than by dislike of their own king, whom they began to disesteem, not so much in regard of his unprofitable journey into Epirus, (for he had wasted much of the country, and brought home his army in good case,) as of his insolence, that grew daily more and more intolerable. His apparel seemed, in the eyes of the Macedons, not only too sumptuous and new fangled, but very unmanly; and serving chiefly to be a daily witness how much he contemned them and their good opinion. Of his soldiers' lives he was reckless, and suffered unwisely this unprincely sentence to escape out of his mouth, that "the more of them died, the "fewer he was to pay." He made a mockery of justice, and (as it were to publish unto all his subjects how little he esteemed it or them) having by a show of popularity invited petitioners, and with a gracious countenance entertained their supplications, he led the poor suitors after him in great hope, till coming to a bridge, he threw all their writings into the river, pleasing himself, in that he could so easily and so boldly delude the cares of other men. By

these courses he grew so odious, that Pyrrhus gathered audacity, and, invading Macedon, had almost won it all with little resistance. Demetrius lay then sick in his bed, who recovering health, and taking the field, had such great odds of strength, as made Pyrrhus glad to forsake his winnings, and be gone.

At length he began to have some feeling of the general hate; which to redress, he did not (for he could not) alter his own conditions, but purposed to alter their idle discourses of him, by setting them on work in such an action, wherein his best qualities might appear, that is, in a great war. His intent was to invade Asia with a royal army, wherein the fortune of one battle might give him as much, as the fortune of another had taken from him. To this end he first made peace with Pyrrhus, that so he might leave all safe and quiet at home. Then did he compose a mighty army, of almost a hundred thousand foot, and twelve thousand horse; with a navy of five hundred sail, wherein were many ships, far exceeding the greatness of any that had been seen before, yet so swift and useful withal, that the greatness was least part of their commendation.

The terrible fame of these preparations made Seleucus and Ptolomy suspect their own forces, and labour hard with Lysimachus and Pyrrhus to join against this ambitious son of Antigonus, that was like to prove more dangerous to them all, than ever was his father. It was easily discerned, that if Demetrius once prevailed in Asia, there could be no security for his friends in Europe, what league soever were of old concluded. Therefore they resolved to begin with him betimes, and each to invade that quarter of Macedon that lay next his own kingdom. Lysimachus came first, and against him went Demetrius with a great part of his army; but whilst he was yet on the way, news were brought into his camp that Pyrrhus had won Berrhoea. The matter was not overgreat, were it not that minds prepared with long discontent are ready to lay hold upon small occasions of dislike. All the camp was in uproar; some wept, others raged, few or none did forbear to utter seditious

words, and many desired leave of Demetrius to go to their own houses, meaning indeed to have gone to Lysimachus.

When Demetrius perceived the bad affection of his army, he thought it the wisest way to lead the Macedonians further off from Lysimachus, their own countryman, against Pyrrhus that was a stranger, hoping, by victory against the Epirot, to recover the love of his followers, in such sort that he might afterwards at leisure deal with the other. But herein his wisdom beguiled him. For the soldiers were as hasty as he to meet with Pyrrhus, not intending to hurt him, but longing to see that noble prince, of whom they daily heard the honourable fame. Some spake of his valour; some inquired, others answered, of his person, his armour, and other tokens whereby he might be known; as particularly by a pair of goat's horns that he wore on his crest. It was not likely that these men should hurt him. Divers of them stole away, and ran over into Pyrrhus's camp, where the news that they brought were better welcome than their persons. For they said, and it was true, that if the Macedonians might once get sight of Pyrrhus, they would all salute him king. To try this, Pyrrhus rode forth, and presented himself bareheaded in view of the camp, whither some were sent before to prepare his welcome. The news of his arrival found a general applause, and every one began to look out with desire to set eye on him. His face was not so well known as his helmet, therefore he was admonished to put it on; which done, all came about him, and proffered their service; neither were there any that spake for Demetrius, only some (and they the most moderate of tongue) bade him be gone betimes, and shift for himself. So Demetrius threw aside his masker's habit, and attiring himself poorly, did fearfully steal away out of his own camp; deserving well this calamity, whether it were so that he would not hearken to the good counsel of his friends, or whether his behaviour deprived him of such friends as would dare to let him hear the unpleasant sound of necessary truth.

Whilst Pyrrhus was making this triumphant entry into

the kingdom of Macedon, Lysimachus came upon him very unseasonably, and would needs have half; saying, that he had done as much as Pyrrhus in the war, and therefore had reason to challenge his part of the gains. The bargain was quickly made, and the division agreed upon; each of them being rather desirous to take his part quietly, than to fight for the whole; as hoping each of them to work his fellow quite out of all upon better opportunity.

SECT. VIII.

How Demetrius, gathering forces, enterprised many things with ill success in Greece and Asia. How he was driven upon Seleucus, and compelled to yield himself. His imprisonment and death. THE Athenians were as unthankful to Demetrius in this his adversity, as they had been in former times; for they presently forsook his friendship, and called Pyrrhus out of Macedon to be their patron. Demetrius, when he went against Lysimachus, had left a great part of his forces in Greece, under his son Antigonus. Therefore it is like that he had soon gotten an army; though Phila his wife (who is highly commended for a wise and virtuous lady) did poison herself, upon desperate grief of his misfortune. The first upon whom he attempted to shew his anger were the Athenians, that had well deserved it. He began to lay siege to Crates the philosopher,

their town, but was pacified by whom they made their spokesman; and, taking fair words instead of satisfaction, passed over into Asia with eleven thousand soldiers, meaning to try his fortune against Lysimachus, for the provinces of Lydia and Caria.

At his first coming into those parts fortune seemed to smile upon him; for many good towns willingly, or by compulsion, yielded to his obedience. There were also some captains that fell from Lysimachus to him, with their companies and treasures. But it was not long ere Agathocles, the son of Lysimachus, came upon him with an army so strong, that it was not for Demetrius's good to hazard his last stock against it. Wherefore he resolved to pass through Phrygia and Armenia into Media, and the provinces of the

Higher Asia; trusting to find a kingdom somewhere in those remote quarters. The execution of this counsel was grievously impeached by Agathocles; who pursued him close, and cut off all his provisions, driving him to take which ways he could, without following his intended course. In many skirmishes Demetrius vanquished this troublesome enemy; nevertheless he could not be shaken off, but continued afflicting the poor titulary king with extreme famine. At length, in passing the river Lycus, so many of Demetrius's men were lost, that the rest could no longer make resistance, but were driven to travel with such speed, as might well be called a plain flight. So that with famine, pestilent diseases following famine, and other accidents of war, eight thousand of them were consumed; the rest, with their captain, escaped into Cilicia. Seleucus had gotten possession of Cilicia whilst Demetrius was occupied in Greece; yet was it no part of Demetrius's errand to lay claim to the country, but with vehement and humble letters he besought his son-inlaw to call to mind their alliance, and to pity him in his great misery. These letters at the first wrought well with Seleucus, and he condescended to the request; yet considering further how Demetrius had carried himself when he recovered strength after the battle at Ipsus, he changed his purpose, and went against him with an army.

Many treaties were held between them; of which none took effect, through the jealousy of Seleucus. Therefore mere desperation enforced Demetrius to fight like a madman; and his fury got him some victories, though of small importance. At length sickness took and held him forty days, in which time a great number of his few men ran to the enemy. This notwithstanding, he still held out, and once had like to have taken Seleucus in his bed, had not his coming been discovered by fugitives, that gave the alarm. Finally, when all his army had forsaken him, and left him with a few of his friends to shift for himself, he was compelled by the last of those adherents (for even some of those few forsook him) to yield unto Seleucus.

Seleucus, hearing this, was exceeding glad, and sent him