ings, and forthwith began to make equal division of the lands, reducing all to the first institution. He also supplied the defect of citizens, by choosing new out of such as were friends to the state, and valiant men; so that henceforth his country might not altogether stand in need of mercenary help, as it lately had done, to save itself from the Ætolians, Illyrians, and other enemies. All this was despatched in great haste; the Spartans well satisfied, and Cleomenes himself ready in the field, ere his enemies could take advantage of these his domestical troubles.

The Achæans, hearing of this great alteration in Sparta, thought that it would be long ere Cleomenes durst issue forth of the city, for fear of some rebellion. But it was not long ere they heard that he had wasted all the country of Megalopolis, had ranged over all Arcadia at his pleasure, and was admitted into Mantinæa; and ready to take other places, even of Achaia. These news displeased them not a little; but they must patiently endure to hear worse. For when Cleomenes had shaken off the power of the ephori, that curbed his authority, he proceeded more roundly in his work; being better obeyed, and by better men. His Lacedæmonians resumed their ancient courage, and he himself had the heart to demand the principality of Greece. He did not therefore henceforth contend about the possession of a few towns, but adventured to win or lose all. Ætolians, in favour of his attempt, declared themselves on his side; and whereas he had gotten Mantinæa, Tegea, and other places, to which they had some title, they willingly renounced all their interest unto him.

The

Aratus did apprehend the danger of his country, and saw that Antigonus with the Ætolians, or perhaps without them, would shortly make an end of that which Cleomenes had thus begun. Therefore he devised how to provide against the worst, and either to repair all, or (if it could not be) to save all from utter ruin. The office of general, when it was next put upon him, he refused; fearing to be so far pressed as to hazard in one battle all the force of his country, to which as he had never any affection, nor perchance courage,

so was his manner of warfare otherwise. For he commonly attempted by surprise, and defended upon the advantage of place, after the manner of the Irish, and of all other nations overcharged with numbers of men. Yet he did not forsake the care of the weal public, though, in aiming at the general good, it seems that private passion drew him into an ill course. He saw that Megalopolis could not be defended without making a dangerous hazard of battle; that Mantinæa had not only opened her gates unto Cleomenes, but slain the Achæan garrison that lay therein; that other towns had yielded unto him without compulsion; and that Aristomachus, once tyrant of Argos, and since general of the Achæans, was now revolted unto the enemy, following the fortune of Cleomenes. Ptolomy was too far off to help; and the nearness of Antigonus was very dangerous; yet might be useful, if this king would, (as Polybius saith,) like others, be friend or enemy, as should best agree with his own profit. To make trial hereof, Aratus practised with some of Megalopolis, whom he found apt unto his purpose, and instructed them how to deal with both Antigonus and the Achæans.

The city of Megalopolis had been well affected to the Macedonians ever since the time of Philip the father of Alexander, who had obliged it unto him by some especial benefits. At this time it lay nearest unto the danger; was very faithful, and therefore deserved succour; yet could not well be relieved by the Achæans, with their own proper strength. Wherefore it was thought meet, that ambassadors should be sent unto the general council of Achaia, requesting leave and good allowance to try the favour of Antigonus in their necessity. This was granted for lack of what else to answer; and the same ambassadors despatched away to Antigonus. They did their own errand briefly; telling him of the good-will and respect which their city had of long time borne unto him and his predecessors; of their present need; and how it would agree with his honour to give them aid. But when they delivered the more general matter, wherein Aratus had given them instruction, shew

ing how the ambition of Cleomenes, and violence of the Ætolians, might redound to his own great loss or danger, if the one and the other were not in time prevented; how Aratus himself did stand affected; and what good likelihood there was of reducing the Achæans under the patronage of Macedon: then began Antigonus to lend a more attentive ear to their discourse. He embraced the motion; and, to give it the more life, he wrote unto the Megalopolitans, that his help should not be wanting, so far forth as it might stand with the Achæans' good liking. Particularly he commended himself by these messengers to Aratus; assuring them, that he thought himself highly bound to this honourable man, whose former actions he now perceived not to have been grounded upon any hatred to the Macedonians, but only upon a just and worthy love to his own nation. With this answer they return to Megalopolis; and are presently sent away to the counsel of Achaia, there to make some speedy conclusion, as the necessity of the time required.

The Achæans were glad to hear that Antigonus was so inclinable to their desire, and therefore were ready to entertain his favour with all good correspondence. Hereunto Aratus gave his consent, and praised the wisdom of his countrymen, that so well discerned the best and likeliest means of their common safety; adding nevertheless, that it were not amiss first of all to try their own ability; which if it failed, then should they do well to call in this gracious prince, and make him their patron and protector. Thus he shewed himself moderate in that which himself of all others did most wish, to the end that he might not afterward sustain the common reprehension, if any thing fell out amiss; since it might appear, that he had not been author of this decree, but only followed, and that leisurably, the general consent.

Nevertheless, in true estimation, this finesse of Aratus might have been used, with his greater commendation, in a contrary course: for it had been more honourable to make an end of the war, by yielding unto Cleomenes that power

which they gave unto Antigonus; since thereby he should both have freed his country from all further trouble, and withal should have restored unto the universal state of Greece that honourable condition whereof the Macedonians had bereft it. But it is commonly found, (which is great pity,) that virtue, having risen to honour by degrees, and confirmed itself (as it were) in the seat of principality by length of time and success of many actions, can ill endure the hasty growth of any other's reputation, wherewith it sees itself likely to be overtopped. Other cause to despise the Lacedæmonians there was none, than that they lately had been in dangerous case; neither could any reason be found, why Aratus should prefer Antigonus before Cleomenes, than that he had stood in doubt of the one, when he thought himself more mighty than the other. Wherefore he was justly plagued, when he saw his own honours reversed by the insolent Macedonians; and instead of living as a companion with Cleomenes, that was descended of a long race of kings, the posterity of Hercules, was fain to do sacrifice unto Antigonus as unto a god, and was finally poisoned by Philip, whose nobility was but of five descents, and whom perhaps he might have seen his fellows, if he had not made them his lords. By this inclination to the Macedonians the love of Ptolomy was lost, who forthwith took part with Cleomenes, though he did not supply him with such liberality as he had used to the Achæans; being warned, as may seem, by their example, to be more wary both in trusting and disbursing. Cleomenes himself, whilst this business with Antigonus was afoot, passed through Arcadia with an army, and laboured by all means to draw the Achæans to battle. At the city of Dymes in Achaia were assembled all the remaining forces of the nation; with which it was concluded to make trial, whether perhaps they might amend their estate without seeking help of the Macedonian. Thither went Cleomenes, and there fought with them; where he had so great a victory, that the enemy was no longer able to keep the open field. The calamity was such, that Aratus himself durst not take upon him to be

their general, when his turn came in the next election. Wherefore the Achæans were compelled to sue for peace; which was granted upon this easy condition: that they should not arrogate unto themselves the command of Peloponnesus, but suffer the Lacedæmonians (as in former ages) to be their leaders in war. Hereunto if they would condescend, he promised unto them that he would presently restore all places taken from them, and all his prisoners ransom free; also that they should enjoy their own laws and liberties without molestation. This gentle offer of Cleomenes was very pleasing to the Achæans; who desired him to come unto the city of Lerna, where a parliament should be held for the conclusion of the war.

Now seemed the affairs of Greece likely to be settled in better order than they had ever been since the beginning of the Peloponnesian wars, yea or since the Persian invasion; when God, who had otherwise disposed of these matters, hindered all with a draught of cold water, which Cleomenes drank in a great heat, and thereupon fell extreme sick, and so could not be present at Lerna, but caused the parliament to be deferred to another time. Nevertheless he sent home the chief of his prisoners, to shew that he meant none other than good faith. By this fair dealing he confirmed the Achæans in their desire of his friendship, who assembled again at Argos, there to establish the league. But Aratus was violently bent against it, and sought by great words and terrible threats to make his countrymen afraid of resolving. When all would not serve turn, he betook himself to his cunning, and sent word to Cleomenes, that he should do well to leave his army behind him, and come alone into Argos, receiving hostages for safety of his person. Cleomenes was already far on his way when he met with this advertisement, and took it in ill part that he should be thus deluded. For it had been an easy matter to have told him so much at the first, and not have made him come so far with an army, which afterwards he must dismiss. Yet that which chiefly seems to have troubled him was the drift of his oppugners, who sought thereby