fidelity of his soldiers, whom no rewards could win from him, nor good usage (when any of them were taken prisoners, and enrolled in the enemy's bands) keep from returning to him with the first opportunity. Most of them were mercenaries, but all their goods were in Egypt, which was enough to keep them faithful. Yet could not this their resolution have stood long against the odds of number which Demetrius had of men as resolute, and against his terrible engines of battery, if Ptolomy had not hasted to the rescue.

Ptolomy brought with him a hundred and forty galleys, besides two hundred ships of burden, for transporting his army and carriages. This fleet made a terrible show when it was descried afar, though more than half of it was unfit for service in fight at sea. Wherefore, to make the opinion of his forces the more dreadful, Ptolomy sent unto Demetrius a threatening message, willing him to be gone, unless he would be overwhelmed with multitudes, and trampled to death in a throng. But this young gallant repaid him with words of as much bravery, promising to let him escape, upon condition that he should withdraw his garrisons out of Sicyon and Corinth.

Demetrius had no more than one hundred and eighteen galleys, but they were for the most part greater than those of Ptolomy, better stored with weapons fit for that service, and very well furnished with engines in the prows, to beat upon the enemy. Nevertheless he stood in great doubt of threescore galleys that lay in the haven of Salamis, lest Menelaus with them should set upon his back; in which case it was likely that all should go very ill with him. Against this mischief he bestowed ten of his own galleys in the mouth of that haven, to keep Menelaus from issuing forth; and setting his horsemen on the shore to give what assistance they could, he with the rest of his fleet puts to sea against Ptolomy.

The fight began early in the morning, and continued long with doubtful success. The generals were not ranged opposite one to the other, but held each of them the left wing of his own fleet. Each of them prevailed against the squa

dron wherewith he encountered; but the success of Demetrius was to better purpose. For his victory in one part was such as caused others to fall out of order, and finally drove all to betake themselves unto speedy flight. As for Ptolomy, he was fain to leave his advantage upon the enemy in one part of the fight, that he might relieve and animate those of his own, which needed him in another. Wherein he found his loss over-great to be repaired by contending any longer against the fortune of that day, and therefore he laboured only to save himself, in hope of better event that might follow some other time.

There fell out in this battle no unusual accident, yet was the victory greater than could have been expected. The occasions whereof were, partly, the great skill in sea-services which the Greeks and Phoenicians that were with Demetrius had above those which followed Ptolomy; partly, the good furniture of the ships, wherein consisted no less than in the quality of those with whom they were manned. Further, we may reasonably judge, that the two hundred ships of burden, carrying the strength of Ptolomy's army, did not more encourage his own men and terrify his enemies the day before the fight, than breed in each part the contrary affections, when in the beginning of the fight they fell off, and stood aloof. For though it were fitting that they should do so, yet a multitude, prepossessed with vain conceits, will commonly apprehend very slight occasions to think themselves abandoned. Besides all this, the expectation that Menelaus, issuing with his fleet out of Salamis, should charge the enemies in stern, was utterly frustrate. He was kept in perforce by the ten ships appointed to bar up the mouth of the haven, which they manfully performed, as great necessity required.

Such disappointment of expectation doth much abate the courage of men in fight, especially of the assailants; whereas on the contrary, they that find some part of their fears vain, do easily gather hopeful spirits, and conceive an opinion of their own ability to do more than they had

thought upon, out of their not suffering the harm that they had imagined.

Whatsoever the causes of this victory were, the fruit was very great. For Ptolomy had no more than eight galleys that accompanied him in his flight; all the rest of his fleet was either taken or sunk. Neither did Menelaus any longer strive against the violence of fortune, but yielded up all that he held in Cyprus, together with his army, consisting of twelve thousand foot and a thousand and two hundred horse, and those galleys in the haven of Salamis. The same dejection of spirit was found in the common soldier, as well that was taken at sea, as that had served the Egyptian by land; none of them reposing any more confidence in Ptolomy, but willingly becoming followers of a new lord, whose army they now increased.

It was generally believed that much more depended on the event of this fight than the isle of Cyprus, for which they contended. Wherefore the common expectation was great, especially Antigonus, whom it most concerned, wast deeply perplexed with cares, thinking every day a year till he were advertised of the issue. In this mood Aristodemus found him, a notable flatterer, whom Demetrius had honoured with the message of these good news. Aristodemus had bethought himself of a trick, whereby to double the welcome of his joyful errand: he caused his ships to ride at anchor a good distance from the shore; he himself landed in a cockboat, which he sent immediately back to the ship, and so all alone he went forward, looking very sadly, that no part of his tidings might appear in his countenance. Report of his arrival (for it was known where he had been) came presently to Antigonus, who sent messenger after messenger to meet him on the way, and bring speedy word how all went. But neither any answer, nor so much of a look as might intimate the purport of his errand, could be won from this demure gentleman. Thus marched he fair and softly forward, with a great throng at his heels, (that served well to set out his pageant,) until he came in sight of

Antigonus, who could not contain himself, but went down to meet him at the gate, and hear the news. Then did Aristodemus, upon the sudden, with a high voice salute Antigonus by the name of king, uttering the greatness of the victory (with as much pomp as before he had covered it with silence) in the hearing of all the people, who with loud acclamations gave that name of king both to Antigonus and to his son Demetrius. Antigonus, in requital of the long suspense wherein Aristodemus had held him, said that it should also be long ere he received his reward. But. the title of king, together with the diadem which his friends did set on his head, he could not wish a fairer occasion to assume: wherefore he readily accepted them, and sent the like to his son.

When it was once noised abroad that Antigonus and Demetrius called themselves kings, it was not long ere their fellows were ready to follow the good example. Ptolomy's friends would by no means endure that their lord should be thought a man dejected for the loss of a fleet, therefore they saluted him also king. Lysimachus in Thrace had boldness enough to put the diadem about his own head. Seleucus had before this time, among the barbarous people, taken upon him as king; but now he used the style indifferently, as well among the Greeks and Macedonians as in dealing with others. Only Cassander held himself contented with his own name; whereby, howsoever he might shadow his pride, he no way lessened the fame of his cruelty against his master's house. But the name which he forbore, his sons after him were bold to usurp, though with ill success, as will appear when they shall enter upon the stage whereon these old tragedians, under new habits, as no longer now the same persons, begin to play their parts, with bigger looks and more boisterous actions, not with greater grace and judgment, than in the scenes already past.

CHAP. VI.

Of the wars between the kings of Egypt, Asia, Macedon, Thrace, and others, until all Alexander's princes were consumed.

SECT. I.

The expedition of Antigonus against Egypt, with ill success. ALL the rest of these kings had taken that name upon them, in imitation of Antigonus himself, as beseeming his greatness, which was such as gave him hope to swallow them up, together with their new titles. Being not ignorant of his own strength, he resolved to single out Ptolomy, and make him an example to others, who should hardly be able to stand, when the greatest of them was fallen. To this purpose he prepared an army of eighteen thousand foot and eight thousand horse, with fourscore and three elephants; as likewise a fleet of a hundred and fifty galleys, and a hundred ships of burden. The land forces he commanded in person; of the navy Demetrius was admiral.

When all was ready for the journey, the seamen advised him to stay yet eight days longer, and expect the setting of the Pleiades. But his hasty desire to prevent all preparations for resistance that Ptolomy should make rejected this counsel, imputing it rather to their fear than skill. Wherefore he departed from Antigonia (a town which he had built in Syria, and called after his own name, that was soon changed into Seleucia by his mortal enemy) and came to Gaza, where he met with his fleet. The nearer that he drew to Egypt, the more haste he made; thinking by celerity to prevail more than by his great power. He caused his soldiers to carry ten days provision of victuals; and had many camels loaden with all necessaries for passing the deserts, over which he marched with no small toil, though he met with no resistance. At mount Cassius, which is near adjoining to Nilus, he saw his fleet riding at anchor not far from the shore, in ill case, and many ships wanting. It had been sorely beaten with foul weather, wherein some were lost,