Dion   

between them, both accompanying him together at his table, and in
his bed by turns. Indeed, the Syracusans were urgent that their own
countrywoman might be preferred before the stranger; but Doris, to
compensate her for her foreign extraction, had the good fortune to
be the mother of the son and heir of the family, whilst Aristomache
continued a long time without issue, though Dionysius was very
desirous to have children by her, and, indeed, caused Doris's mother
to be put to death, laying to her charge that she had given drugs to
Aristomache to prevent her being with child.
Dion, Aristomache's brother, at first found an honourable
reception for his sister's sake; but his own worth and parts soon
procured him a nearer place in his brother-in-law's affection, who,
among other favours, gave special command to his treasurers to furnish
Dion with whatever money he demanded, only telling him on the same day
what they had delivered out. Now, though Dion was before reputed a
person of lofty character, of a noble mind, and daring courage, yet
these excellent qualifications all received a great development from
the happy chance which conducted Plato into Sicily; not assuredly by
any human device or calculation, but some supernatural power,
designing that this remote cause should hereafter occasion the
recovery of the Sicilians' lost liberty and the subversion of the
tyrannical government, brought the philosopher out of Italy to
Syracuse, and made acquaintance between him and Dion. Dion was,
indeed, at this time extremely young in years, but of all the scholars
that attended Plato he was the quickest and aptest to learn, and the
most prompt and eager to practise, the lessons of virtue, as Plato
himself reports of him and his own actions sufficiently testify. For
though he had been bred up under a tyrant in habits of submission,
accustomed to a life on the one hand of servility and intimidation,
and yet on the other of vulgar display and luxury, the mistaken
happiness of people that knew no better thing than pleasure and
self-indulgence, yet, at the first taste of reason and a philosophy
that demands obedience to virtue, his soul was set in a flame, and
in the simple innocence of youth, concluding, from his own
disposition, that the same reason would work the same effects upon
Dionysius, he made it his business, and at length obtained the
favour of him, at a leisure hour, to hear Plato.
At this their meeting, the subject-matter of their discourse in
general was human virtue, but, more particularly, they disputed
concerning fortitude, which Plato proved tyrants, of all men, had
the least pretence to; and thence proceeding to treat of justice,
asserted the happy estate of the just and the miserable condition of
the unjust; arguments which Dionysius would not hear out, but, feeling
himself, as it were, convicted by his words, and much displeased to
see the rest of the auditors full of admiration for the speaker and
captivated with his doctrine, at last, exceedingly exasperated, he
asked the philosopher in a rage, what business he had in Sicily. To
which Plato answered, "I came to seek a virtuous man." "It seems,
then," replied Dionysius, "you have lost your labour." Dion, supposing
that this was all, and that nothing further could come of his anger,
at Plato's request, conveyed him aboard a galley, which was
conveying Pollis, the Spartan, into Greece. But Dionysius privately
dealt with Pollis, by all means to kill Plato in the voyage; if not,
to be sure to sell him for a slave: he would, of course, take no
harm of it, being the same just man as before; he would enjoy that
happiness, though he lost his liberty. Pollis, therefore, it is
stated, carried Plato to Aegina, and there sold him; the,
Aeginetans, then at war with Athens, having made a decree that
whatever Athenian was taken on their coasts should forthwith be
exposed to sale. Notwithstanding, Dion was not in less favour and
credit with Dionysius than formerly, but was intrusted with the most
considerable employments, and sent on important embassies to Carthage,
in the management of which he gained very great reputation. Besides,
the usurper bore with the liberty he took to speak his mind freely, he