ARISTOMENES. CHAPTER I. "I will a soldier be and for my country fight; THE SOLDIER. THE presence of Aristomenes was a source of great joy to the assembled chieftains, who found their confidence revived, and their courage augmented. In our walk through life, we frequently meet with persons, who, although delighted by the recital of a brave action, and perhaps pleased with VOL. II. B the sight, cannot be called courageous spirits; on the contrary, they avoid, as far as possible, the very chance of those circumstances that may put their pretensions to the trial, and if compelled to take a part in a great exploit, all who witness the success, agree in excluding them from any participation in the honour. Such was the character of the Messenians, among whom Aristomenes had been brought by the two boys mentioned in the last chapter. Their attachment to their country had never been doubted, but they possessed none of that strong decision of character, and energy of action, calculated to give them pre-eminence, either in the council, or in the field. They would not have avoided danger, had it appeared in the path of indisputable duty, but they had no community of feeling with the brave chiefs, who preferred a precarious shelter among the mountains, with the chance of occasionally attacking and injuring the enemy, to a security from danger and a certain inactivity. These two classes had therefore been separated from each other, and were almost ignorant of each other's existence. The death of Aristomenes had been reported, and the chieftains who had sought safety in subterranean excavations rather than venture their persons for the mere possibility of aiding their country, had believed the rumour. His appearance among them, therefore, astonished as much as it pleased. When the surprise had passed, and the accustomed recognitions had been given, Aristomenes carefully observed the persons who were seated round the table, and among the guests, he saw none who were eminent among the chiefs and leaders of Messenia, except Lyciscus and Theocles the diviner, by whom the general was entertained with every honour due to his rank, and the high station he held among his countrymen. The unexpected pleasure of being seated at table with a man, who was universally esteemed the most renowned warrior and statesman of his age, might have caused excesses among those, who, as in the present day, esteem themselves by the character of the company into which they are occasionally permitted to enter, had not the stern virtue of Aristomenes checked the first appearance of an undue mirth. Theocles was the only man of kindred spirit with the Messenian general, for although Lyciscus was by no means deficient in moral courage, it was often hidden by his excessive caution. Theocles, however, though a man of great discrimination, and energetic in the accomplishment of all he designed, was not free from the prevailing superstitions of his age. The best devised schemes were permitted to wait their execution till a favourable direction of the stars, or a good omen secured success, and he would rather baffle, than aid a design that was not supported by some indisputable testimony of the favour of the gods. As soon as Aristomenes had joined the exiled nobles, each one experienced a singular reversion of feeling, the coward who durst not have ventured to cross the path of a drunken Spartan soldier, felt himself capable of doing a brave action, and began to think by what means he could signalize himself; while the man of real courage, wondered that the mere presence of the Messenian leader, should excite his mind to acts of valour and self-denial. Aristomenes was not unconscious of the effect his presence had upon his countrymen, and determined to avail himself of it for the benefit of the state; but in the execution of his determination the greatest caution was required. |