§4.1Interim Argilius quidam adulescentulus, quem puerum Pausanias amore venerio dilexerat, cum epistulam ab eo ad Artabazum accepisset eique in suspicionem venisset aliquid in ea de se esse scriptum, quod nemo eorum redisset, qui eodem missi erant, vincla epistulae laxavit signoque detracto cognovit, si pertulisset, sibi esse pereundum.
Meanwhile, a certain young man named Argilius, whom Pausanias had loved with passionate affection when a boy, having received from him a letter to Artabazus, and having conceived a suspicion that something had been written in it about himself, because none of those who had been sent to the same place had returned, loosened the cords of the letter, and having removed the seal, discovered that if he delivered it, he must perish.
§4.2erant in eadem epistula quae ad ea pertinebant, quae inter regem Pausaniamque convenerant.
In the same letter there were matters which related to the agreements that had been made between the king and Pausanias.
has ille litteras ephoris tradidit.
This letter he delivered to the ephors.
§4.3non est praetereunda gravitas Lacedaemoniorum hoc loco. nam ne huius quidem indicio impulsi sunt ut Pausaniam comprehenderent, neque prius vim adhibendam putaverunt, quam se ipse indicasset.
The gravity of the Lacedaemonians on this occasion must not be passed over; for they were not induced even by this man's disclosure to arrest Pausanias, nor did they think that force should be applied until he should betray himself.
§4.4itaque huic indici, quid fieri vellent, praeceperunt.
Therefore, they instructed this informer what they wished to be done.
fanum Neptuni est Taenari, quod violari nefas putant Graeci.
There is a temple of Neptune at Taenarus, which the Greeks think it a sacrilege to violate.
eo ille confugit in araque consedit.
To this place he fled for refuge and sat down on the altar.
hanc iuxta locum fecerunt sub terra, ex quo posset exaudiri, si quis quid loqueretur cum Argilio.
Near this, they made a place underground, from which anyone who spoke with Argilius might be overheard.
§4.5huc ex ephoris quidam descenderunt.
Into this place some of the ephors descended.
Pausanias, ut audivit Argilium confugisse in aram, perturbatus venit eo.
Pausanias, when he heard that Argilius had fled to the altar, came thither in great perturbation.
quem cum supplicem dei videret in ara sedentem, quaerit, causae quid sit tam repentini consilii.
Seeing him sitting on the altar as a suppliant of the god, he asked what was the reason for so sudden a resolution.
huic ille, quid ex litteris comperisset, aperit.
To him, the other revealed what he had discovered from the letter.
§4.6quo magis Pausanias perturbatus orare coepit, ne enuntiaret neu se meritum de illo optime proderet: quodsi eam veniam sibi dedisset tantisque implicatum rebus sublevasset, magno ei praemio futurum.
Thereupon, Pausanias, still more perturbed, began to entreat him not to disclose the matter, nor to betray one who had deserved so well of him; adding that if he would grant him this favor and relieve him when involved in such great difficulties, it would be of great reward to him.