§37.10.1dum haec in Hellesponto geruntur, Polyxenidas regius praefectus — erat autem exul Rhodius — cum audisset profectam ab domo popularium suorum classem, §37.10.2et Pausistratum praefectum superbe quaedam et contemptim in se contionantem dixisse, praecipuo certamine animi adversus eum sumpto nihil aliud dies noctesque agitabat animo, quam ut verba magnifica eius rebus confutaret.
While these things were being done in the Hellespont, Polyxenidas, the royal prefect—who was a Rhodian exile—having heard that a fleet of his countrymen had set out from home, and that the prefect Pausistratus had spoken certain things arrogantly and contemptuously against him in an assembly, conceived a special rivalry of spirit against him, and turned nothing else over in his mind day and night than how he might refute his boastful words by deeds.
§37.10.3mittit ad eum hominem et illi notum, qui diceret et se Pausistrato patriaeque suae magno usui, si liceat, fore, et a Pausistrato se restitui in patriam posse.
He sent to him a man also known to him, who was to say both that he would be of great service to Pausistratus and to his own country, if it were permitted, and that he could be restored to his country by Pausistratus.
§37.10.4cum, quonam modo ea fieri possent, mirabundus Pausistratus percunctaretur, fidem petenti dedit agendae communiter rei aut tegendae silentio.
When, wondering how those things could be done, Pausistratus inquired, he gave a pledge to the one requesting it that the business would either be conducted in common or kept covered in silence.
§37.10.5tum internuntius: regiam classem aut totam aut maiorem eius partem Polyxenidam traditurum ei; pretium tanti meriti nullum aliud pacisci quam reditum in patriam.
Then the intermediary said: that Polyxenidas would hand over to him either the entire royal fleet or the greater part of it; and that he bargained for no other reward for so great a service than his return to his country.
§37.10.6magnitudo rei nec ut crederet nec ut aspernaretur dicta effecit.
The magnitude of the matter made him neither believe nor reject what was said.
Panhormum Samiae terrae petit, ibique ad explorandam rem, quae oblata erat, substitit.
He headed for Panhormus in the territory of Samos, and there halted to investigate the matter which had been offered.
§37.10.7ultro citroque nuntii cursare, nec fides ante Pausistrato facta est, quam coram nuntio eius Polyxenidas sua manu scripsit se ea, quae pollicitus esset, §37.10.8facturum signoque suo impressas tabellas misit.
Messengers ran to and fro, and trust was not established for Pausistratus until, in the presence of his messenger, Polyxenidas wrote with his own hand that he would perform those things, and sent tablets stamped with his own seal.
eo vero pignore velut auctoratum sibi proditorem ratus est: neque enim eum, qui sub rege viveret, commissurum fuisse, ut adversus semet ipsum indicia manu sua testata daret.
Indeed, by that pledge he thought the traitor bound to him: for he believed that one who lived under a king would not have allowed himself to give evidence attested by his own hand against himself.
§37.10.9inde ratio simulatae proditionis composita.
Thence the plan of the simulated betrayal was composed.
omnium se rerum apparatum omissurum Polyxenidas dicere; non remigem, non socios navalis ad classem frequentis habiturum; §37.10.10subducturum per simulationem reficiendi quasdam naves, alias in propinquos portus dimissurum; paucas ante portum Ephesi in salo habiturum, quas, si exire res cogeret, obiecturus certamini foret.
Polyxenidas said that he would neglect the preparation of all things; that he would not keep the rowers or naval allies assembled for the fleet; that he would draw up certain ships on the pretext of repairing them, and dismiss others to neighboring ports; and that he would keep a few in the roadstead before the harbor of Ephesus, which he would oppose to the contest if circumstances forced them to go out.
§37.10.11quam neglegentiam Polyxenidam in classe sua habiturum Pausistratus audivit, eam ipse extemplo habuit, partem navium ad commeatus accersendos Halicarnassum, partem Samum ad urbem misit, ipse ad Panhormum mansit, ut paratus esset, §37.10.12cum signum adgrediendi a proditore accepisset.
Which negligence Pausistratus heard Polyxenidas would maintain in his fleet, he himself immediately maintained; he sent a part of the ships to Halicarnassus to fetch provisions, and another part to the city of Samos, while he himself remained at Panhormus so that he might be ready, when he should receive the signal for attacking from the traitor.
Polyxenidas augere simulando errorem; subducit quasdam naves, alias velut subducturus esset, navalia reficit; remiges ex hibernis non Ephesum accersit, sed Magnesiam occulte cogit.
Polyxenidas increased the error by pretending; he drew up some ships, was about to draw up others as if he would, and repaired the dockyards; he did not summon the rowers from their winter quarters to Ephesus, but gathered them secretly at Magnesia.