Demosthenes, he heard, had taken sanctuary at the temple of
Neptune at Calauria, and, crossing over thither in some light
vessels, as soon as he had landed himself, and the Thracian spear-
men that came with him, he endeavored to persuade Demosthenes to
accompany him to Antipater, as if he should meet with no hard
usage from him. But Demosthenes, in his sleep the night before,
had a strange dream. It seemed to him that he was acting a
tragedy, and contended with Archias for the victory; and though he
acquitted himself well, and gave good satisfaction to the
spectators, yet for want of better furniture and provision for the
stage, he lost the day. And so, while Archias was discoursing to
him with many expressions of kindness, he sat still in the same
posture, and looking up steadfastly upon him, said: "O Archias, I
am as little affected by your promises now as I used formerly to
be by your acting." Archias at this beginning to grow angry and to
threaten him, "Now," said Demosthenes, "you speak like the genuine
Macedonian oracle; before you were but acting a part. Therefore
forebear only a little, while I write a word or two home to my
family." Having thus spoken, he withdrew into the temple, and
taking a scroll, as if he meant to write, he put the reed into his
mouth, and biting it, as he was wont to do when he was thoughtful
or writing, he held it there for some time.
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