No More Learning

Do you wish to patch up a most clever piece with new daub ing ? It's not right that any paint should touch that person, neither ceruse, nor quince ointment, nor any other wash. Take the mirror, then. [Hands her the glass. ]
Philolaches [apart] — Ah, wretched me ! — she gave the glass a kiss. I could much wish for a stone, with which to break the head of that glass.
Scapha — Take the towel and wipe your hands.
Philematium — Why so, prithee ?
Scapha — As you've been holding the mirror, I'm afraid
that your hands may smell of silver ; lest Philolaches should suspect you've been receiving silver somewhere.
Philolaches [apart] — I don't think that I ever did see any one more cunning. How cleverly and artfully did it occur to the jade's imagination about the mirror !
Philematium — Do you think I ought to be perfumed with unguents as well?
Scapha — By no means do so.
Philematium — For what reason ?
Scapha — Because, i' faith, a woman smells best when she
smells of nothing at all. For those old women who are in the habit of anointing themselves with unguents, vampt up, tooth less old hags, who hide the blemishes of the person with paint, when the sweat has blended itself with the unguents, forthwith they stink just like when a cook has poured together a variety of broths ; what they smell of you don't know, except this only, that you understand that badly they do smell.
Philolaches [apart] — How very cleverly she does under
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
T8
stand everything! There's nothing more knowing than this knowing woman! [To the Audience. ] This is the truth, and in fact a very great portion of you know it, who have old women for wives at home who purchased you with their portions. —
Come now, examine my golden trinkets and
Philematium
my mantle ; does this quite become me, Scapha ?
Scapha — It befits not me to concern myself about that. Philematium — Whom then, prithee ?
Scapha — I'll tell you : Philolaches, so that he may not buy
anything except that which he fancies will please you. For a lover buys the favors of a mistress for himself with gold and purple garments. What need is there for that which he doesn't want as his own, to be shown him still? Age is to be enveloped in purple ; gold ornaments are unsuitable for a woman. A beau tiful woman will be more beautiful naked than drest in purple. Besides, it's in vain she's well-drest if she's ill-conducted ; ill conduct soils fine ornaments worse than dirt. But if she's beauteous, she's sufficiently adorned.
Philolaches [apart] — Too long have I withheld my hand. [Coming forward. ] What are you about here ?
Philematium — I'm decking myself out to please you.
Philolaches — You are dressed enough. [To Scapha. ] Go you hence in doors, and take away this finery. [Scapha goes into the house. ] But, my delight, my Philematium, I have a mind to regale together with you.
Philematium — And, i' faith, so I have with you ; for what you have a mind to, the same have I a mind to, my delight.
Philolaches — Ha ! at twenty mina? that expression were
cheap. — Iwish to let Philematium Give me ten, there's a dear ;
you have that expression bought at a bargain.
Philolaches — You've already got ten minae with you; or
reckon up the account : thirty minae I gave for your freedom — Philematium — Why reproach me with that?
Philolaches — What, I reproach you with it9 Why, I had
rather that I myself were reproached with it ; no money what ever for this long time have I ever laid out equally well.
Philematium — Surely, in loving you, I never could have better employed my pains.
Philolaches — The account, then, of receipts and expendi ture fully tallies between ourselves ; you love me, I love you.
74 THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
Each thinks that it is so deservedly. Those who rejoice at this, may they ever rejoice at the continuance of their own happiness. Those who envy, let not any one henceforth be ever envious of their blessings.
[A friend and his mistress came in ; and while the party are carousing, the arrival of Philolaches' father is announced. The friend is too drunk to leave, and the party are at their wits' end. Tranio tells them to remain
quiet in the house, which is shut up, and he sallies out to meet the father. ]
Act II. — Scene I.
Enter Theuropides, followed by Attendants.
Theuropides [to himself] —Neptune, I do return extreme thanks to thee that thou hast just dismissed me from thee, though scarce alive. But from this time forward, thou shalt only know that have stirred foot upon the main, there no reason why, that instant, thou shouldst not do with me that which thou hast now wished to do. Away with you, away with you from me henceforth forever after to-day what was to intrust to thee, all of have now intrusted.
Enter Tranio, overhearing him.
Tranio [apart] — By my troth, Neptune, you've been much to blame, to have lost this opportunity so fair.
—
Theuropides —After three years, I've arrived home from Egypt. shall come welcome guest to my household,
suppose.
Tranio [apart]
Upon my faith, he might have come much more welcome one, who had brought the tidings you
were dead. — Theuropides [looking at the door]
But what means this Is the door shut in the daytime I'll knock. [Knocks at the
Hallo, there any one going to open this door for
door. ]
me
Tranio [coming forward, and speaking aloud] — What person that has come so near to our house
Theuropides — Surely, this my servant Tranio.
Tranio — Theuropides, my master, welcome I'm glad that you've arrived in safety. Have you been well all along
?
? aI
I
is
O
I it
;
is
I
if, a
is it
?
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a
?
I
;
THE HAUNTED HOUSE. 75
Theuropides — All along, as you see.
Tranio — That's very good.
Theuropides — What about yourselves ? Are you all mad ? Tranio — Why so ?
Theuropides — For this reason; because you are walking
about outside ; not a born person is keeping watch in the house, either to open or to give an answer. With kicking with my feet I've almost broken in the panels.
Tranio — How now ? Have you been touching this house ?
Theuropides — Why shouldn't I touch it ? Why, with kick ing it, I tell you, I've almost broken down the door.
Tranio — What, you touched it ?
Theuropides — I touched it, I tell you, and knocked at it. Tranio — Out upon you I
Theuropides — Why so ?
Tranio — By heavens ! 'twas ill done.
Theuropides — What is the matter ?
Tranio — It cannot be expressed how shocking and dread
ful a mischief you've been guilty of.
Theuropides — How so ?
Tranio — Take to flight, I beseech you, and get away from the house. Fly in this direction, fly closer to me. [He runs towards Tranio. ] What, did you touch the door?
Theuropides — How could I knock, if I didn't touch it ? Tranio — By all that's holy, you've been the death Theuropides — Of what person ?
Tranio — Of all your family.
Theuropides —May the gods and goddesses confound you with that omen.
Tranio — I'm afraid that you can't make satisfaction for yourself and them.
Theuropides — For what reason, or what new affair is this that you thus suddenly bring me news of ?
Tranio — And [whispering'] people to move away from here. of Theuropides. ]
hark you, prithee, do bid those [Pointing to the Attendants
—
Theuropides [to the Attendants] Move away from here.
Tranio — Don't you touch the house. Touch you ground as well. [Exeunt the Attendants.
the
Theuropides — I' faith, prithee, do speak out now.
Tranio — Because it is now seven months that not a person has set foot within this house, and since we once for all left it.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
76
Tranio — Just look around, whether there's any person to overhear our discourse. — All's quite safe.
Theuropides [looking around] Tranio — Look around once more.
Theuropides [looking around] — There's nobody ; now then,
Theuropides — Tell me, why so ?
speak out.
Tranio [in a loud whisper]
—
The house has been guilty of
a capital offense. I don't understand you. Theuropides —
Tranio — A crime, I tell you, has been committed there, a long while ago, one of olden time and ancient date.
Theuropides — Of ancient date?
Tranio — 'Tis but recently, in fact, that we've discovered this deed.
Theuropides — What is this crime, or who committed it? Tell me.
Tranio — A host slew his guest, seized with his hand ; he, I fancy, who sold you the house.
Tranio — And robbed this guest of his gold, and buried this guest there in the house, on the spot.
Theuropides — For what reason do you suspect that this
took place?
Tranio — I'll tell you ; listen. One day, when your son had
dined away from home, after he returned home from dining, we all went to bed and fell asleep. By accident, I had for gotten to put out my lamp ; and he, all of a sudden, called out aloud
Theuropides — What person ? My son ?
Tranio — Hist I hold your peace ; just listen. He said that a dead man came to him in his sleep
Theuropides — In his dreams, then, you mean ?
Tranio — Just so. But only listen. He said that he had met with his death by these means
Tranio — It would have been surprising if he had told him awake, who had been murdered sixty years ago. On some occaI sions you are absurdly simple. But look, what he said : " am the guest of Diapontius, from beyond the seas ; here do I dwell ; this has been assigned me as my abode ; for Orcus would not receive me in Acheron, because prematurely I lost
Theuropides — Slew him ?
Theuropides — What, in his sleep?
THE HAUNTED HOUSE. 77
my life. Through confiding was I deceived ; my entertainer slew me here, and that villain secretly laid me in the ground without funereal rites, in this house, on the spot, for the sake of gold. Now do you depart from here; this house is accursed, this dwelling is defiled. " The wonders that here take place, hardly in a year could I recount them. Hush, hush ! [He starts. ] Theuropides — Troth now, what has happened, prithee ?
Tranio — The door made a noise. Was it he that was knocking ?
Theuropides [turning pale] — I have not one drop of blood ! Dead men are come to fetch me to Acheron while alive !
Tranio [aside] — I'm undone ! those people there will mar my plot. [A noise is heard from within. ] How much I dread, lest he should catch me in the fact.
Theuropides — What are you talking about to yourself?
[Goes near the door. ]
Tranio — Do get away from the door. By heavens, fly, I
do beseech you. —
Theuropides Fly where? Fly yourself, as well.
Tranio — I am not afraid :
A Voice [from within] — Hallo ! Tranio.
I am at peace with the dead.
Tranio [in a low voice near the door] — You won't be calling me, if you are wise. [Aloud as if speaking to the Appari
tion. ] 'Tis not I that's guilty ;
Theuropides — Pray, what is it that's wrong? What matter
is agitating you, Tranio ? To whom are you saying these things? Tranio — Prithee, was it you that called me ? So may the gods bless me, I fancied it was this dead man expostulating be
cause you had knocked at the door. But are you still stand ing there, and not doing what I advise you ?
Theuropides — What am I to do ?
Tranio — Take care not to look back. Fly ; cover up your
head ! —
Why don't you fly ? Tranio — I am at peace with the dead.
Theuropides
Theuropides — I recollect. Why then were you so dread fully alarmed just now?
Tranio — Have no care for me, I tell you ; I'll see to my self. You, as you have begun to do, fly as quick as ever you can ; Hercules, too, you will invoke.
Theuropides — Hercules, I do invoke thee ! [Runs off. ] Tranio [to himself] — And I, as well, old fellow, that this
I did not knock at the door.
78 THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
day he'll send some heavy mishap upon you. O ye immortal gods, I do implore your aid. Plague on it ! what a mess I
have got into to-day.
[Exit.
[He pretends to Theuropides that the house has been shut up for some months past, in consequence of its being haunted. In the midst of the conversation, he is accosted by a banker, who duns him for the interest of some money which Philolaches has borrowed of him for the purpose of procuring the freedom of Philematium, his mistress. Theuropides in quires what the money was borrowed for, on which Tranio says that Philolaches has purchased a house with it. On Theuropides making further inquiries, Tranio says that he has bought the house in which Simo is living. On this, Theuropides wishes to examine this new purchase, and sends Tranio to request Simo to allow him to do so, if not inconvenient.
Tranio obtains the permission as follows. ]
Simo — What is the matter ? Do inform me.
Tranio — I will inform you. My master has arrived from
abroad. —
Simo In that case the cord will be stretched for you;
thence to the place where iron fetters clink ; after that, straight to the cross.
Tranio — Now, by your knees, I do implore you, don't give information to my master.
Simo — Don't you fear ; he shall know nothing from me. Tranio — Blessings on you, my patron.
Simo — I don't care for clients of this description for myself. Tranio — Now as to this about which our old gentleman has
sent me.
Simo — First answer me this that I ask you. As yet, has
your old gentleman discovered anything of these matters ? Tranio — Nothing whatever.
Simo — Has he censured his son at all ?
Tranio — He is as calm as the calm weather is wont to be.
Now he has requested me most earnestly to beg this of you, that leave may be given him to see over this house of yours.
Simo — It's not for sale.
Tranio — I know that indeed ; but the old gentleman wishes
to build a woman's apartment here in his own house, baths, too, and a piazza, and a porch.
Simo — What has he been dreaming of ?
Tranio — I'll tell you. He wishes to give his son a wife as
soon as he can ; for that purpose he wants a new apartment for the women. But he says that some builder, I don't know who, has been praising up to him this house of yours, as being
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
******* Simo —I'm glad that you've arrived safely from abroad,
remarkably well built ; now he's desirous to take a model from you don't make any objection
Simo — He may look over it, he likes. If there thing that takes his fancy, let him build after my plan.
any
Theuropides. — Theuropides
May the gods bless you.
Simo — Your servant was telling me that you were desirous
to look over this house.
Theuropides — Unless it's inconvenient to you.
Simo — Oh no quite convenient. Do step indoors and
look over it. —
—
Simo — Take you care not to trouble yourself straw about
Theuropides [pausing]
But yet
the ladies
any lady. Walk in every direction, wherever you like, all over the house, just as though were your own.
79
Theuropides [apart to Tranio] — " Just as though "
Tranio [whispering] — Oh, take care that you don't throw in his teeth now in his concern, that you have bought it. Don't you see him, how sad countenance the old gentleman has
Theuropides [apart] — see.
Tranio [apart] — Then don't seem to exult, and to be over much delighted in fact, don't make mention that you've
and think you've humane disposition.
at your leisure, just
bought it. — Theuropides [apart]
understand given good advice, and that shows
[Turning to Simo. ] What now?
Simo — Won't you go in Look over
as you like. — Theuropides
kindly. —
consider that you are acting civilly and
Simo Troth, wish to do so. Should you like some one
to show you over
Theuropides —Away with any one to show me over.
don't want him.
Simo — Why What's the matter
Theuropides —I'll go wrong, rather than any one should show me over.
Tranio [pointing] — Don't you see, this vestibule before the house, and the piazza, of what compass
Theuropides — Troth, really handsome
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;
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80 THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
Tranio — Well, look now, what pillars there are, with what strength they are built, and of what a thickness.
Theuropides — I don't think that I ever saw handsomer pillars. Simo — I' faith, they were some time since bought by me at
such aprice! — Tranio [aside, whispering']
—" once " ? He seems hardly able to refrain from tears.
Why, upon my word, they are much more unsound than I thought
them at first.
Tranio — Why so ?
Theuropides —Because, i' faith, the woodworm has split
them both from the bottom.
Tranio — I think they were cut at an improper season ; that
Don't you hear
They were
Theuropides — At what price did you purchase them ?
Simo — I gave three minae for the two, besides the carriage.
[He retires to some distance. ] — Theuropides [after looking close at them, to Tranio]
fault damages them ; but even as it is, they are quite good enough, if they are covered with pitch. And it was no foreign pulse-eating artisan did this work. Don't you see the joints in the door ? [Pointing. ]
Theuropides — I see them.
Tranio — Look, how close together they are sleeping.
Theuropides — Sleeping ?
Tranio — That is, how they wink, I intended to say. Are you satisfied ?
Theuropides — The more I look at each particular, the more
it pleases me. — Tranio [pointing]
Don't you see the painting, where one crow is baffling two vultures ? The crow stands there ; it's
pecking at them both in turn. This way, look, prithee, to
wards me, that you may be able to see the crow. pides turns towards him. ] Now do you see it ?
[Theuro
Theuropides [looking about] — For my part I really see no crow there.
Tranio — But do you look in that direction, towards your selves, since you cannot discover the crow, if perchance you may be able to espy the vultures. [Theuropides turns to wards Simo. ] Now do you see them ?
Theuropides — Upon my faith, I don't see them.
Tranio — But I can see two vultures.
Theuropides — To make an end of it with you, I don't see
any bird at all painted here.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE. 81
Tranio — Well, then, I give it up. I excuse you ; it is through age you cannot see.
Theuropides — These things which I can see, really they do all please me mightily. —
Simo [coming forward] Now, at length, it's worth your while to move further on.
Theuropides — Troth, you give good advice.
Simo [calling at the door] —Ho there, boy I take this per son round this house and the apartments. But I myself would have shown you round, if I hadn't had business at the Forum.
Theuropides — Away with any one to show me over. I don't want to be shown over. Whatever it is, I'd rather go wrong than any one should show me over.
Simo — The house I'm speaking of.
Theuropides — Then I'll go in without any one to show me
whether the dog
Theuropides — Very well then, look. [Tranio looks into
the passage. ]
Tranio — There is one. —
Tranio [to the dog] — Be off and be hanged ! 'St, won't you be off to utter perdition with you? What, do you still linger ? 'St, away with you from here !
over. — Simo
Go, by all means.
Theuropides — I'll go indoors, then.
Tranio [holding him back] — Stop, please ; let me see
Theuropides [looking in] Where is it ?
Simo [coming nearer to the door] —There's no danger. You only move on. It's as gentle as a woman in childbed. You may boldly step indoors wherever you like. I'm going hence to the Forum.
Theuropides —You've acted obligingly. Good speed to you. [Exit Simo. ] —Tranio, come, make that dog move away from the door inside, although it isn't to be feared.
Tranio — Nay but [pointing], you look at it, how gently it lies. Unless you'd like yourself to appear troublesome and
cowardly — Theuropides
Very well, just as you like. Tranio — Follow me this way then.
Theuropides — For my part, I shall not move in any direc
tion from your feet. [They go into the house.
[The trick is of course found out, and the young scapegrace pardoned. ] vol. v. — 6
82 THE END OF THE MACEDONIAN KINGDOM.
THE END OF THE MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. By Bishop THLRLWALL.
[Connop Thiblwall, bishop of St. David's from 1840, was born at London in 1797 and educated at Cambridge. He was admitted to the bar, but left it for the church in 1828. He gained high repute as a classical scholar of remark ably sound and massive judgment, and began in 1835 his great " History of Greece " (eight volumes), completed in 1847 — which, instead of becoming obso lete with time, is increasingly valued for its justice and penetration, and the portion on Alexander's reign and after, scholars agree, has never been equaled. ]
At Rome, though no apprehension was felt as to the final issue of the Macedonian war, its state at the end of the third year was not regarded as promising ; and L. . (Emilius Paullus was raised for the second time to the consulate, with a general hope that his tried abilities would bring the contest to a speedy close, though the province was not assigned to him, as Plutarch relates, but, apparently at least, fell to him by lot. He himself, after his election, caused commissioners to be sent to inspect the condition of the army, and their report of it was not at all cheer ing. A levy of 14,000 foot and 1200 horse was decreed to re- enforce it. He set out from Rome with Cn. Octavius, who commanded the fleet, on the first of April ; arrived at Corcyra on the same day on which he sailed from Brundusium ; five days after celebrated a sacrifice at Delphi, and in five more had reached the camp in Pieria. His soldiers, who had been accus tomed to great license, soon learned, by the regulations which he introduced, that they had now a general as well as a consul at their head ; and Perseus no longer felt himself safe behind the Enipeus, when he saw the Roman camp moved forward to the opposite bank. The terror with which he was inspired by the fame of Paullus was soon heightened by tidings that whatever hopes he had built on his alliance with Gentius had fallen to the ground. After a war of not more than twenty or thirty days, Gentius, being besieged in his capital, Scodra, surrendered to the praetor Anicius, and was carried with all his family to Rome, to adorn his triumph, having received ten talents as the price of his throne and his liberty.
Perseus, however, did not neglect the precautions which his situation required. He fortified his position on the Enipeus ; detached a body of cavalry to protect the coast of Macedonia
THE END OP THE MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. 83
from the operations of the Roman fleet, which had entered the gulf of Thessalonica ; and sent 5000 men to guard the northern pass of Olympus at Petra, which opened a way near the highest summit of the mountain, the Pythium, by which an enemy might descend to the plains in his rear. This was, indeed, the danger which he had most reason to provide against ; for Paul- lus, having weighed all the modes of attack by which he might attempt to dislodge the enemy from his position, finally decided on this. He sent P. Scipio Nasica, accompanied by his eldest son, Fabius Maximus, with 8000 men, to force this pass, while he occupied the attention of Perseus with a series of assaults on his intrenchments. Nasica, after a long circuit, surprised the Macedonians at Petra, and drove them down before him ; and Perseus, at his approach, hastily abandoned his position, and re treated towards Pydna, where the consul, having been joined by Nasica, came up with him the same day, but deferred giving battle until the morrow. An eclipse of the moon, which took place in the night, filled the Macedonians with superstitious terror ; the Romans had a tribune in their army who was able to predict and explain it. Perseus, though with blank misgiv ings, yielded to the advice of his friends, who exhorted him to risk an engagement ; he could not but perceive that further retreat would be attended with the dispersion of his forces and the loss of his kingdom.
The next day (June 22, B. C. 168) a short combat decided the fate of the Macedonian monarchy. The power of the pha lanx was again tried, under circumstances the most advanta geous to it, and again failed, through the same causes which occasioned the loss of the battle of Cynoscephalae. Victorious on the level ground, it fell into disorder when it had advanced upon the retreating enemy to the foot of the hills, where it could no longer preserve the evenness of its front, and the com pactness of its mass ; and opened numerous passages through its ranks for the legionaries, who rushed in to an almost unre sisted slaughter. The slain on the Macedonian side are said to have amounted to 20,000; upwards of 10,000 were made prisoners : the Romans lost scarcely 100 men. Perseus took little part in the battle, as the Romans gave out, through cow ardice ; but it appears that he had received a kick from a horse the day before, which compelled him to use a litter. It is cer tain, however, that, as soon as the rout began, he left the field with the cavalry, which remained untouched, and fled towards
84 THE END OF THE MACEDONIAN KINGDOM.
Pella. He was soon deserted by his Macedonian followers, and even at Pella found that he was no longer obeyed by his sub jects. In the first movement of his passion he killed two offi cers of his household with his own hand ; and continued his flight with no attendants beside the royal pages but three for eigners, —Evander the Cretan, Neon the Bœotian, and the . 3£tolian Archidamus, — with 500 Cretans, whose attachment was only retained by permission to plunder the royal plate, which Perseus afterwards recovered from them by a disgraceful trick. At Amphipolis he sent three persons of low rank, the only messengers he could find, with a letter to Paullus ; but only stayed long enough to embark the treasure deposited there, and sailed with it down the Strymon to Galepsus, and thence to Samothrace.
Little loyalty could seem due to such a king, even if his for tunes had been less desperate. The whole of Macedonia sub mitted immediately without resistance to the conqueror. The Roman fleet soon pursued the royal fugitive to Samothrace. But Octavius spared the sanctity of the asylum, and only demanded Evander, as a man whose hands were stained with the blood of Eumenes, and Perseus was said to have dispatched him, to prevent a disclosure of his own guilt. But he suffered himself to be overreached by another Cretan, who engaged to convey him to the coast of Thrace, where he hoped to find refuge at the court of Cotys ; but sailed away without him, as soon as his treasure had been put on board. He then hid himself in a nook of the temple, until his remaining servants had been tempted by a promise of free pardon to surrender themselves, and his younger children had been betrayed into the hands of Octavius by the friend who had charge of them. He then gave himself up, with his eldest son Philip, to the pretor, and was immediately conducted to the consul's camp.
He was courteously received by the conqueror, but is said to have forfeited the respect which would have been paid to his rank, by the abjectness of his demeanor; though he was thought to have been guilty of extravagant presumption, when in the letter which he wrote immediately after his defeat, he retained the title of king. About the same time that these events were taking place in Macedonia, Anicius, after the sub jugation of Illyria, marched into Epirus. At Phanota, where the plot had been laid for the seizure of the consul Hostilius, the
THE END OF THE MACEDONIAN KINGDOM.
85
whole population went out to meet him with the ensigns of sup pliants. All the other towns of Epirus submitted likewise with out resistance : only in four, in Molossis, was there so much as an appearance of hesitation, which was the effect of the presence of Cephalus, and some other leaders of the Macedonian party. But this obstacle was soon removed by their execution or vol untary death, and these towns also surrendered without any opposition. Anicius distributed his troops among the principal cities, and left the whole country perfectly tranquil when he returned to Illyria to meet the five commissioners, who were sent from Rome to regulate its affairs.
A commission of Ten was appointed as usual to settle those of Macedonia. In the summer of 167, before the arrival of the commissioners, Paullus, accompanied by his second son, the future conqueror of Carthage and Numantia [Scipio the younger], and by Athenaeus, a brother of Eumenes, made a tour in Greece : not with any political object, but simply to gratify the curiosity of a stranger, who was familiar with Greek literature, and whose house at Rome was full of Greek rhetoricians, and artists, and masters of all kinds for the educa tion of his sons. He went to view the monuments of art, scenes celebrated in history or fable, or hallowed by religion : to com pare Phidias with Homer. It was not only Athens and Sparta, Sicyon and Argos, and Epidaurus, Corinth, and Olympia that attracted his attention : the comparatively obscure shrines of Lebadea and Oropus were not without their interest for the Roman augur, who was no less exact in the observance of the sacerdotal ritual than in the maintenance of military discipline, but sacrificed at Olympia before the work of Phidias with as much devotion as in the capitol. He did not indeed wholly lay aside the majesty of the proconsul ; at Delphi he ordered his own statues to be placed on the pedestals which had been erected for those of Perseus. But he made no inquiries into recent political transactions, and displayed his power chiefly in acts of beneficence ; for amidst so many memorials of ancient prosperity he everywhere found signs of present poverty and distress, and the vast magazines of corn and oil which had fallen into his hands in Macedonia enabled him to relieve the indigence of the Greeks by liberal largesses. His visit to Greece is a pleasing idyllian episode in a life divided between the senate and the camp ; and it is characteristic of the begin
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ning of a new period, being as far as we know the first ever paid to the country for such a purpose.
It would have been happy for Greece if her destinies had now depended on the will of Paullus. But he was the minister of a system by which the rapacious oligarchy, which wielded the Roman legions, was enabled to treat the fairest portion of the civilized world as its prey, and, as it grew bolder with success, became more and more callous to shame and remorse in the prosecution of its iniquitous ends, which it scarcely deigned to cover with the threadbare mantle of its demure hypocrisy. Such men as Q. Marcius and C. Popillius were now the fittest agents for its work. A scene occurred to Paullus, as he passed through Thessaly on his return to Macedonia, which exhibited a slight prelude to the miseries which Greece was to endure under the absolute ascendency of this system. He was met by a multitude of iEtolians in the garb of suppliants, who related that Lyciscus and another of his party, having obtained a body of troops from a Roman officer, had surrounded the council room, had put 550 of their opponents to death, forced others into exile, and taken possession of the property both of the dead and the banished. Paullus could only bid the suppliants repair to Amphipolis, where he was to arrange the affairs of his province in concert with the ten commissioners, who had already arrived in Macedonia. They had brought with them the outlines of a decree, which when the details had been adjusted was solemnly published from the proconsular tribunal at Amphipolis, in the presence of a great concourse of people : first recited in Latin by Paullus, and then in a Greek translation by the propretor Octavius.
By its provisions Macedonia was divided into four districts, to which Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Pella, and Pelagonia were assigned as capitals. They were to be governed each by its own councils and magistrates, and were to be not only independent of each other, but separated from each other by the strictest prohibition of mutual intercourse, both of intermarriage and of contracts for the acquisition of land or houses beyond the border within which either of the parties dwelt. Even the im portation of salt was forbidden, as well as the working of gold and silver mines — to guard against the abuses which were ad mitted to be inseparable from the administration of these royal ties on the Roman system — and the felling of ship timber. As
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