selfishness of his views. He was not a hypocrite, indeed, as to his
virtues--a dissembler only in his ambition. Even Solon, in
endeavouring to inspire him with a true patriotism, acknowledged his
talents and his excellences. "But for ambition," said he, "Athens
possesses no citizen worthier than Pisistratus." The time became ripe
for the aspiring projects of the chief of the democracy.

IV. The customary crowd was swarming in the market-place, when
suddenly in the midst of the assembly appeared the chariot of
Pisistratus. The mules were bleeding--Pisistratus himself was
wounded. In this condition the demagogue harangued the people. He
declared that he had just escaped from the enemies of himself and the
popular party, who (under the auspices of the Alcmaeonidae) had
attacked him in a country excursion. He reminded the crowd of his
services in war--his valour against the Megarians--his conquest of
Nisaea. He implored their protection. Indignant and inflamed, the
favouring audience shouted their sympathy with his wrongs. "Son of
Hippocrates," said Solon, advancing to the spot, and with bitter wit,
"you are but a bad imitator of Ulysses. He wounded himself to delude
his enemies--you to deceive your countrymen." [227] The sagacity of
the reproach was unheeded by the crowd. A special assembly of the
people was convened, and a partisan of the demagogue moved that a
body-guard of fifty men, armed but with clubs, should be assigned to
his protection. Despite the infirmities of his age, and the decrease
of his popular authority, Solon had the energy to oppose the motion,
and predict its results. The credulous love of the people swept away
all precaution--the guard was granted. Its number did not long
continue stationary; Pisistratus artfully increased the amount, till
it swelled to the force required by his designs. He then seized the
citadel--the antagonist faction of Megacles fled--and Pisistratus was