the skipper had made all his preparations and it only remained for Demetrius to make his own arrangements, he first of all sent his foster-father off to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syria&groupId=995&placeId=502">Syria</a>, to find out by listening to conversations and by what he observed what was the state of popular feeling there.
His foster-brother Apollonius had taken part in the project from the outset, and he also took the two brothers of Apollonius, Meleager, and Menestheus, into his confidence, but no other member of his suite, though it was fairly numerous.
These brothers were really the sons of the Apollonius who had stood in high favour with Seleucus, but had removed to Miletus upon Antiochus succeeding to the crown.
The day agreed upon with the ship's officers was now approaching, and it became necessary to arrange for a party at the house of one of his friends in order to enable Demetrius to go out;
for it was impossible to dine at his own house, since he had been in the habit of scrupulously inviting all members of his suite.
Those who had been initiated into the plot were to dine at home and come on board the ship, each attended by one slave, having sent their other slaves on to Anagnia, saying they would follow them on the following day.
Polybius happened at the time to be ill in bed, but he knew of all that was going on, as Menyllus kept him constantly informed.
So being very much afraid that if the banquet were unduly prolonged, as Demetrius was naturally fond of his cups and extremely young, he might find some difficulty in going out owing to the effects of drink,
he wrote and sealed a short note, and sent off a slave of his own with it shortly after dusk with orders to call out Demetrius's cup-bearer and deliver the note to him, not mentioning who he was, or from whom it was, but begging him to give it to Demetrius to read at once.
All was done as had been ordered, and Demetrius took it and read it.
The note contained the following saws:
Walbank Commentary