late, that the Achaeans and Aetolians might not have time to answer him:  and this opinion he himself confirmed, by desiring that time might not be consumed in altercation, and, to bring the affair to some conclusion, that the others should retire, and leave him to converse with the Roman general.  For some time this was not admitted, lest the allies should appear to be excluded from the conference.  Afterwards, on his persisting in his desire, the Roman general, with the consent of all, taking with him Appius Claudius, a military tribune, advanced to the brink of the coast, and the rest retired.  The king, with the two persons whom he had brought the day before, came on shore, where they conversed a considerable time in private.  What account of their proceedings Philip gave to his people is not well known:  what Quinctius told the allies was, that “Philip was willing to cede to the Romans the whole coast of Illyricum, and to give up the deserters and prisoners, if there were any.  That he consented to restore to Attalus his ships, and the seamen taken with them; and to the Rhodians the tract which they call Peraea.  That he refused to evacuate Iassus and Bargylii.  To the Aetolians he was ready to restore Pharsalus and Larissa; Thebes he would not restore:  and that he would give back to the Achaeans the possession, not only of Argos, but of Corinth also.”  This arrangement pleased none of the parties; neither those to whom the concessions were to be made, nor those to whom they were refused; “for on that plan,” they said, “more would be lost than gained; nor could the grounds of contention ever be removed, but by his withdrawing his forces from every part of Greece.”

36.  These expressions, delivered with eagerness and vehemence by every one in the assembly, reached the ears of Philip, though he stood at a distance.  He therefore requested of Quinctius, that the whole business might be deferred until the next day; and then he would, positively, either prevail on the allies, or suffer himself to be prevailed on by them.  The shore at Thronium was appointed for their meeting, and there they assembled early.  Philip began with entreating Quinctius, and all who were present, not to harbour such sentiments as must embarrass a negotiation of peace; and then desired time, while he could send ambassadors to Rome, to the senate, declaring, that “he would either obtain a peace on the terms mentioned, or would accept whatever terms the senate should prescribe.”  None by any means approved of this; they said, he only sought a delay, and leisure to collect his strength.  But Quinctius observed, “that such an objection would have been well founded, if it were then summer and a season fit for action; as matters stood, and the winter being just at hand, nothing would be lost by allowing him time to send ambassadors.  For, without the authority of the senate, no agreement which they might conclude with the king would be valid; and besides, they would by this means have an opportunity,