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diff --git a/old/41471-h/41471-h.htm b/old/41471-h/41471-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 8e9fe32..0000000 --- a/old/41471-h/41471-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11883 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Callias (A Tale of the Fall of Athens), by Rev. Alfred J. Church. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .5em; - text-align: justify; - text-indent: 1em; - margin-bottom: .5em; - } - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - line-height: 200%; - } - hr { width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; - } - - table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - } /* page numbers */ - - .blockquot{margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; font-size: 85%; text-indent: 0em;} - - .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} - .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} - .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} - .br {border-right: solid 2px;} - .bbox {border: solid 2px;} - - .ft80 {font-size: 80%;} - .ft120 {font-size: 120%;} - .ft200 {font-size: 200%;text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} - .gothic {font-family: "Old English Text MT",fantasy,sans-serif;} - - .noidt {text-indent: 0em;} - .negidt {text-indent: -2em;} - - .center {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em;} - .ralign {text-align: right; padding-right: 0em;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .u {text-decoration: underline;} - - .caption {font-weight: bold;} - - .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} - - .tnote {border: solid 2px; padding: 1em; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; background: #CCCCB2; text-indent: 0em;} - - .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} - .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 1.5em;} - .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 82%; text-align: right;} - .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} - - .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0em;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Callias, by Alfred John Church - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Callias - A Tale of the Fall of Athens - -Author: Alfred John Church - -Release Date: November 24, 2012 [EBook #41471] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CALLIAS *** - - - - -Produced by sp1nd and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<p class="tnote"><b>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE:</b> Obvious errors in spelling and punctuation have been -silently corrected. Footnotes have been renumbered and moved from the -page end to the end of this HTML version. Images have been moved -from the middle of a paragraph to the closest paragraph break.</p> - - -<p class="ft200"><br /><br />CALLIAS<br /><br /></p> - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 80%;"> -<img src="images/i_004.jpg" width="100%" alt="SOCRATES AND ALCIBIADES." title="" /> -<span class="caption">SOCRATES AND ALCIBIADES.</span> -</div> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - - -<h1>CALLIAS<br /> - -A Tale of the Fall of Athens</h1> - -<p class="center">“<i>Athenae Lysandro superfuerunt: occiso Socrate tum demum civitas -eversa est.</i>”</p> - -<h3>BY<br /> - -<big>REV. ALFRED J. CHURCH, M. A.</big></h3> - -<p class="center"><i>Professor of Latin in University College, London</i></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 235px;"> -<img src="images/logo.jpg" width="235" height="288" alt="" title="" /> -</div> - -<p class="center">MEADVILLE PENNA<br /> -FLOOD AND VINCENT<br /> -<span class="gothic">The Chautauqua-Century Press</span><br /> -1891</p> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> - - -<p class="center"><br /><br /><br />Copyright, 1891,<br /> -By <span class="smcap">Flood & Vincent</span>.<br /><br /><br /> - -<i>The Chautauqua-Century Press, Meadville, Pa., U. S. A.</i><br /> -Electrotyped, Printed and Bound by Flood & Vincent.</p> - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - - -<div class='center'> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>I.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A New Play</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>II.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">News From the Fleet</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>III.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Hippocles the Alien</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>IV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Council</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>V.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Running the Blockade</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>VI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Arginusæ</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>VII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">After the Fight</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>VIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The News at Athens</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>IX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Socrates</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>X.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Murder of the Generals</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Rescued</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Voyage of the Skylark</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Alcibiades</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XIV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Bisanthe</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Ægos Potami</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">To Pharnabazus</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Athens in the Dust</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_159">159</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XVIII.</td><td align='left'>“<span class="smcap">Noblesse Oblige</span>”</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_172">172</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The End of Alcibiades</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Dionysius</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Cyrus the Younger</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Retreat</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Diary</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXIV.</td><td align='left'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span><span class="smcap">A Thanksgiving</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_238">238</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXV.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Business and Pleasure</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXVI.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Invalided</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXVII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Back to Athens</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_274">274</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXVIII.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Story of the Trial</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_287">287</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXIX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Last Conversation</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'>XXX.</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Condition of Exile</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_321">321</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Author’s Postscript</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_328">328</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align='right'></td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Index</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_331">331</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> -<p class="ft200">CALLIAS - -<br /><br /> - -A Tale of the Fall of Athens.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /> - -<small>A NEW PLAY.</small></h2> - - -<p>It is the second year of the ninety-third Olympiad<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> -and the Theatre at Athens is full, for the great dramatic -season is at its height, and to-day there is to be performed -a new play by Aristophanes, the special favorite of the -Athenian public. It is a brilliant scene, but a keen observer, -who happened to see the same gathering some five -and twenty years ago, must now notice a certain falling -off in its splendor. For these five and twenty years -have been years of war, and latterly, years of disaster. -Eleven years ago, the City wild with the pride of power -and wealth, embarked on the mad scheme of conquering -Sicily, and lost the finest fleet and army that it -ever possessed. Since then it has been a struggle for life -with it, and year by year it has been growing weaker and -weaker. This has told sadly on the glories of its great festivals. -The furnishing of the stage, indeed, is as perfect as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -ever, and the building itself has been pushed on several -stages towards completion.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> However scarce money may -be in the public treasury, the theatre must not be starved. -But elsewhere there are manifest signs of falling off. The -strangers’ gallery is almost empty. All the Greek world -from Massilia in Gaul to Cyrene among the sands of Africa -used to throng it in happier days. Now more than half -that world is hostile, and the rest has little to hope or fear -from the dispossessed mistress of the seas. Dionysius of -Syracuse, has sent an embassy, and the democracy, which -once would have treated with scant courtesy the representatives -of a tyrant, is fain to flatter so powerful a prince. -There are some Persian Envoys too, for the Persians are -still following their old game of playing off one great state -against another. A few Greeks from Sinope and from one -of the Italian cities, persons of no importance, who would -hardly have found a place in the gallery during the palmy -times of Athens, make up the company of visitors. Look -at the body of the theatre, where the citizens sit, and the -spectacle is deplorable indeed. The flower of Athens’ sons -has perished, and their successors are puny and degenerate. -Examine too the crowd that throngs the benches, -and you will see that the slaves, distinguished by their unsleeved -tunics, fill up no small portion of space. And boys -form an unusually large proportion of the audience. Altogether -the theatre is a dispiriting sight to a patriotic -Athenian.</p> - -<p>To-day, however, all is gaiety, for, as has been said, there -is a new play to be brought out, and an Athenian must be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -in desperate straits indeed, if he cannot forget his sorrows -at a new play.</p> - -<p>When the curtain rises, or rather, is withdrawn, as the -Greek arrangement was, into an opening in the floor of the -stage, a murmur of recognition runs through the audience. -The scene is the market place of Thebes, and a familiar -figure occupies the foreground.</p> - -<p>The portly figure, the ruddy face, the vine-leaf crown, -and the buskins show him to be Bacchus, the patron-god, -it will be remembered, of the Drama. But why this lion’s -skin and club? The god gives a lordly kick at the door of -the house which was one of the familiar stage-properties, -and Hercules appears. He roars with laughter to see his -own emblems in such strange company. Bacchus explains. -“The tragic poets grow worse and worse. There is not one -who can write a decent line. I am going down to the -regions of the dead to fetch Euripides,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and thought that -I had better dress myself up in your fashion, for you, I -know, made this same journey very successfully. Perhaps -you will tell me something about the way, and what inns -you can recommend, where they are free from fleas, you -know.”</p> - -<p>“Are you really going?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes. Don’t try to dissuade me; but tell me the -way, which must not be either too hot or too cold.”</p> - -<p>“Well there is the Hanging way, by the sign of the Rope -and Noose.”</p> - -<p>“Too stifling.”</p> - -<p>“There is a very short cut by the Mortar and Pestle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“The Hemlock road,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> you mean?”</p> - -<p>“Exactly so.”</p> - -<p>“Too cold and wintry for me.”</p> - -<p>“Well; I’ll tell you of a quick road and all downhill.”</p> - -<p>“Excellent! for I am not a good walker.”</p> - -<p>“You know the tower in the Cemetery? Well; climb up -to the top when the Torch race is going to begin; and when -the people cry out ‘start,’ start yourself.”</p> - -<p>“How do you mean ‘start’? Start from where?”</p> - -<p>“Why, start down from the top.”</p> - -<p>“What, and dash my brains out? No, not for me, thank -you.”</p> - -<p>So it is settled that Bacchus and his slave, for he has a -slave with him to carry his baggage, shall take the usual -route by the Styx.</p> - -<p>To the Styx, accordingly, they make their way. Charon -the ferryman is plying for hire, “Any one for Rest-from-toil-and-labor -Land? For No-Mansland? For the Isle -of Dogs?<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>”</p> - -<p>Bacchus steps in, and by Charon’s order, takes an oar -which he handles very helplessly. The slave has to go -round: Charon does not carry slaves, he says. As they -slowly make their way across, the frogs from the marsh raise -the song of their kind, ending with the burden which is -supposed to represent their note, <i>Brekekekex, coax, coax</i>.</p> - -<p>It is pitch dark on the further side. When the slave -turns up, he advises his master to go on at once. “’Tis the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -very spot,” he says, “where Hercules told us those terrible -wild beasts were.” Bacchus is very valiant.</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“A curse upon him! ’twas an idle tale,<br /> -He feigned to frighten me, for well he knew,<br /> -How brave I am, the envious braggart soul!<br /> -Grant, fortune, I may meet some perilous chance<br /> -Meet for so bold a journey.”<br /> -</p> - -<p>“O Master, I hear a noise.”</p> - -<p>“Where, where?”</p> - -<p>“It is behind us.”</p> - -<p>“Get behind then.”</p> - -<p>“No—it is in front.”</p> - -<p>“Why don’t you go in front?”</p> - -<p>“O Master, I see such a Monster.”</p> - -<p>“What is it like?”</p> - -<p>“Why! it keeps on changing—now it’s a bull, now it’s a -stag, and now it’s a woman; and its face is all fire. What -shall we do? O Hercules, Hercules help.”</p> - -<p>“Hold your tongue. Don’t call me Hercules.”</p> - -<p>“Bacchus, then.”</p> - -<p>“No, no; Bacchus is worse than Hercules.”</p> - -<p>The travellers pass these dangers, and reach the palace -of Pluto. Bacchus knocks at the door. “Who’s there?” -cries Æacus the porter. “The valiant Hercules,” says -Bacchus. The name calls forth a torrent of reproaches, and -threats. Hercules was only too well remembered there.</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“O villain, villain, doubly, trebly dyed!<br /> -’Twas thou didst take our dog, our guardian dog,<br /> -Sweet Cerberus, my charge. But, villain, now<br /> -We have thee on the hip. For thee the rocks<br /> -Of Styx, and Acheron’s dripping well of blood,<br /> -And Hell’s swift hounds encompass.”<br /> -</p><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Did you hear that dreadful voice?” says Bacchus to the -slave. “Didn’t it frighten you?”</p> - -<p>“Frighten me? No, I didn’t give it a thought.”</p> - -<p>“Well, you are a bold fellow. I say; suppose you become -me, and I become you. Take the club and the lion skin, -and I’ll carry the baggage.”</p> - -<p>“As you please.”</p> - -<p>They change parts accordingly. No sooner is this done, -than a waiting maid of Queen Proserpine appears. “My -dear Hercules,” she says, “come with me. As soon as my -mistress heard of your being here she had a grand baking, -made four or five gallons of soup, and roasted an ox whole.”</p> - -<p>“Excellent,” cries the false Hercules.</p> - -<p>“She won’t take a refusal. And, hark you! there’s <i>such</i> -wine!”</p> - -<p>“I shall be delighted. Boy, bring along the baggage -with you.”</p> - -<p>“Hold,” cries the “boy.” “Don’t you see it was a joke -of mine, dressing you up as Hercules? Come, hand over -the club and the skin.”</p> - -<p>“You are not going to take the things away when you -gave me them yourself.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I am: a pretty Hercules you would be. Come, -hand them over.”</p> - -<p>“Well; if I must, I must. But I shouldn’t wonder if you -were sorry for it sooner or later.”</p> - -<p>It turns out to be sooner rather than later. As soon as -the exchange is made, two landladies appear on the scene. -Hercules had committed other misdemeanors besides -stealing the dog.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<p><i>First Landlady.</i> “This is the villain. He came to my -house, and ate sixteen loaves.”</p> - -<p><i>The Slave</i> (aside). “Some one is getting into trouble.”</p> - -<p><i>First Landlady.</i> “Yes, and twenty fried cutlets at three-half-pence -apiece.”</p> - -<p><i>The Slave</i> (aside). “Some one will suffer for this.”</p> - -<p><i>First Landlady.</i> “Yes, and any quantity of garlic.”</p> - -<p><i>Bacchus.</i> “Woman this is all rubbish. I don’t know -what you are talking about.”</p> - -<p><i>First Landlady.</i> “Ah! you villain, because you have -buskins on, you thought I should not know you—and then -there was the salt-fish.”</p> - -<p><i>Second Landlady.</i> “Yes, and the fresh cheeses which he -ate, baskets and all; and when I asked him for the money -he drew his sword, and we ran up, you remember, into the -attic.”</p> - -<p><i>The Slave.</i> “That is just the man. That’s how he goes -on everywhere.”</p> - -<p>The angry women run off to fetch their lawyers; and -Bacchus begins again.</p> - -<p>“My dear boy, I am very fond of you.”</p> - -<p>“I know what you are after. Say no more; I’m not going -to be Hercules; ‘A pretty Hercules I should make,’ you say.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t wonder that you’re angry. But do take the -things again. The gods destroy me and mine, root and -branch, if I rob you of them again.”</p> - -<p>“Very well; I’ll take them, but mind, you have sworn.”</p> - -<p>So the exchange is made again.</p> - -<p>Then Æacus with his infernal policemen appears on the -scene.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p>“That’s the fellow who stole the dog,” he cries to his -men, “seize him,” while the false slave murmurs aside, -“Some one is getting into trouble.”</p> - -<p>“I steal your dog!” says the false Hercules. “I have -never been here, much less stolen the worth of a cent. But -come. I’ll make you a fair offer. Here’s my slave. Take -him, and put him to the torture, and if you get anything -out of him against me, then cut my head off.”</p> - -<p>“Very fair,” says Æacus; “and of course, if I do him any -damage, I shall pay for it.”</p> - -<p>“Never mind about the damage; torture away.”</p> - -<p>“Hold,” shouts Bacchus, as the policemen lay hold of -him, “I warn you not to torture me, I’m a god.”</p> - -<p><i>Æacus.</i> “What do you say?”</p> - -<p><i>Bacchus.</i> “I am Bacchus, son of Zeus, and that fellow -there is my slave.”</p> - -<p><i>Æacus</i> (to the false Bacchus) “What do you say to that?”</p> - -<p><i>The false Bacchus.</i> “Say? Lay on the lash; if he’s a god, -of course he can’t feel.”</p> - -<p><i>Bacchus.</i> “And you’re a god too, you say. So you won’t -mind taking blow for blow with me.”</p> - -<p><i>The false Bacchus.</i> “Quite right.” (To Æacus) “Lay on, and -the first that cries out, you may be sure he’s not the real god.”</p> - -<p>So the trial takes place. Both bear it bravely, till at last -Æacus cries in perplexity. “I can’t make it out. I don’t -know which is which. Well, you shall both come to my -master and Queen Proserpine. They’re gods, and they -ought to know their own kind.”</p> - -<p><i>Bacchus.</i> “An excellent idea; I only wish that you had -thought of it before you gave me that beating.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Things are now supposed to be set right. Bacchus goes -to dine with Pluto and Proserpine; the slave is entertained -by Æacus in the servants’ hall. While they are talking a -tremendous uproar is heard outside; and Æacus explains to -his guest that it is a rule in their country that the best poet -or writer or artist should have a seat at the King’s table and -a place at the King’s right hand. This honor Æschylus -had held as the first of the tragic poets, but when Euripides -came, all the crowd of pick-pockets and burglars and -murderers, who were pretty numerous in these parts, had -been so delighted with his twists and turns, that they were -for giving him the first place; and on the strength of their -support he had claimed the tragic throne.</p> - -<p>“But had not Æschylus any friends?”</p> - -<p>“O yes, among the respectable people; but respectable -people are scarce down here, as they are up above.”</p> - -<p>“What about Sophocles?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! as soon as he came, he went up to Æschylus and -kissed him on the cheek, and took him by the hand. He -yielded the throne, he said, to Æschylus; but if Euripides -came off best, he should contest it with him.”</p> - -<p>“Well, what is going to be done?”</p> - -<p>“There will be a trial.”</p> - -<p>“Who is to be judge?”</p> - -<p>“Ah! there’s the difficulty. Wise men, you see, are not -so plenty. Even with the Athenians Æschylus didn’t get -on very well. However they have made your master judge. -He is supposed to know all about it.”</p> - -<p>I have tried to give some idea of the first, the farcical half -of the play. It is possible to appreciate the fun, though<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -much of its flavor has evaporated, and there are many -strokes of humor which, for one reason or another, it has -not been possible to reproduce. The second half is a series -of subtle literary criticisms on the language, style, dramatic -construction, and ruling sentiment of the two poets. No -one can appreciate it who is not familiar with their works; -no version is possible that would give any that idea of it. -One specimen I shall attempt. Æschylus finds fault with -the prosaic matter-of-fact character of his rival’s opening -scenes. “I’ll spoil them all with a flask,” he says. “Go -on and repeat whichever you please.” Euripides begins -with the opening lines of the Danaides (a play now lost).</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“Aegyptus—so the common story runs—<br /> -Crossed with his fifty sons the ocean plains,<br /> -And reaching Argos—”<br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 5em;">“Lost a little flask.”</span><br /> -</p> - -<p class="noidt">puts in Æschylus.</p> - -<p>He begins again with the opening lines of another</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“Cadmus, Agenor’s offspring, setting sail<br /> -From Sidon’s city—”<br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 3em;">“Lost a little flask.”</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>Then he tries with the first lines of a third</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“Great Bacchus, who with wand and fawn-skin decked,<br /> -In pine-groves of Parnassus, plies the dance,<br /> -And leads the revel—”<br /> -<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 6em;">“Lost a little flask.”</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>The reader may have had enough. It will suffice to give -the result of the contest. All the tests have been applied. -Euripides, as a last resource, reminds the judge that he has -sworn to take him back with him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - -<p>Bacchus replies:</p> - -<p>“My tongue hath sworn; yet Æschylus I choose.”</p> - -<p>A cruel cut, for it is an adaptation of one of the poet’s own -lines (from the Hippolytus) when the hero, taunted with -the oath that he had taken and is about to violate, replies:</p> - -<p>“My tongue hath sworn it, but my mind’s unsworn.”</p> - -<p>When the curtain rose from the floor and hid the last -scene, it was manifest that the “Frogs” of Aristophanes, -son of Philippus, of the tribe Pandionis, and the township -Cydathenæa, was a success. Of course there were malcontents -among the audience. Euripides had a good many -partisans in young Athens. They admired his ingenuity, -his rhetoric, and the artistic quality of his verse, in which -beauty for beauty’s sake, quite apart from any moral purpose, -seemed to be aimed at. They were captivated by the -boldness and novelty of his treatment of things moral and -religious. Æschylus they considered to be old-fashioned -and bigoted. Hence among the seats allotted to the young -men there had been some murmurs of dissent while the -performance was going on, and now there was a good deal -of adverse criticism. And there were some among the older -men who were scarcely satisfied. The fact was that Comedy -was undergoing a change, the change which before twenty -more years had passed was to turn the Old Comedy into -the Middle and the New, or to put the matter briefly, to -change the Comedy of Politics into the Comedy of Manners.</p> - -<p>“This is poor stuff,” said an old aristocrat of this school, -“poor stuff indeed, after what I remember in my younger -days. Why can’t the man leave Euripides alone, especially -now he is dead, and won’t bother us with any more of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -plays? There are plenty of scoundrel politicians who might -to much more purpose come in for a few strokes of the lash. -But he daren’t touch the fellows. Ah! it was not always -so. I remember the play he brought out eighteen years -ago. The ‘Knights’ he called it. That was something -like a Comedy! Cleon was at the very height of his power, -for he had just made that lucky stroke at Pylos<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>. But -Aristophanes did not spare him one bit for that. He could -not get any one to take the part; he could not even get a -mask made to imitate the great man’s face. So he took the -part himself, and smeared his face with the lees of wine. -Cleon was there in the Magistrates’ seats. I think we all -looked at him as much as we looked at the stage. Whenever -there was a hard hit—and, by Bacchus, how hard the -hits were!—all the theatre turned to see how he bore it. He -laughed at first. Then we saw him turn red and pale—I -was close by him and I heard him grind his teeth. Good -heavens! what a rage he was in! Well, that is the sort of a -play I like to see, not this splitting words, and picking -verses to pieces, just as some schoolmaster might do.”</p> - -<p>But, in spite of these criticisms, the greater part of the -audience were highly delighted with what they had seen -and heard. The comic business, with its broad and laughable -effects, pleased them, and they were flattered by being -treated as judges of literary questions. And the curious -thing was that they were not unfit to be judges of such -matters. There never was such a well-educated and keen-witted -audience in the world. They knew it, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -dearly liked to be treated accordingly. The judges only -echoed the popular voice when at the end of the festival -they bestowed the first prize upon Aristophanes.</p> - -<p>One criticism, strange to say, no one ever thought of making—and -yet, to us, it seems the first, the most obvious of -all criticisms, and that is that the play was horribly profane. -This cowardly, drunken, sensual Bacchus—and he is -ten times worse in the original than I have ventured to -make him here—this despicable wretch was one of the gods -whom every one in the audience was supposed to worship. -The festival which was the occasion of the theatrical exhibition -was held in his honor, his altar was the centre -round which the whole action of every piece revolved. -And yet he was caricatured in this audacious manner, and -it did not occur to anyone to object! Verily the religion of -the Greeks sat very lightly on their consciences, and we -cannot wonder if it had but small effect on their lives.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /> - -<small>NEWS FROM THE FLEET.</small></h2> - - -<p>I anticipated the course of my story when I spoke of the -first prize being adjudged to the comedy exhibited by -Aristophanes. There were various competing plays—how -many we do not know, but the titles and authors of two -that won the second and third prizes have been preserved—and -all those had of course to be performed before a decision -could be made. Two or three days at least must have passed -before the exhibition was at an end.</p> - -<p>The next competitor had certainly reason to complain of -his ill-luck. Just before the curtain fell for the opening -scene of his comedy an incident occurred which made the -people little disposed to listen to anything more that day. -The spectators had just settled themselves in their places, -when a young officer hastily made his way up to the bench -where the magistrates were seated, and handed a roll to the -president. The occurrence was very unusual. It was -reckoned almost an impiety to disturb the festival of Bacchus -with anything of business; only matters of the very -gravest importance could be allowed to do it. The entrance -of the young man, happening as it did, just in the pause of -expectation before the new play began, had been generally -observed. Every one could see from his dress that he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -a naval officer, and many knew him as one of the most -promising young men in Athens. “News from the fleet,” -was the whisper that ran through the theatre, and there -were few among the thousands there assembled to whom -news from the fleet did not mean the life or death of father, -brother, or son. The president glanced at the document -put into his hands, and whispering a few words to the messenger, -pointed to a seat by his side. All eyes were fastened -upon him. (The magistrates, it may be explained, occupied -one of the front or lowest rows of seats, and were therefore -more or less in view of the whole theater, which was arranged -in the form of a semicircle, with tier upon tier of -benches rising upon the slope of the hill on the side of which -the building was constructed.) When a moment afterwards, -the curtain was withdrawn, scarcely a glance was -directed to the stage. The action and the dialogue of the -new piece were absolutely lost upon what should have been -an audience, but was a crowd of anxious citizens, suddenly -recalled from the shows of the stage to the realities of -life.</p> - -<p>The president now carefully read the document and passed -it on to his colleagues. Some whispered consultations passed -between them. When at the end of the first act a change -of scenery caused a longer pause than usual the president -quietly left the theatre, taking the bearer of the -despatch with him. Some of the other magistrates followed -him, the rest remaining behind because it would have -been unseemly to leave the official seats wholly untenanted -while the festival was still going on. This proceeding increased -the agitation of the people, because it emphasized<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -the importance of the news that had arrived. Some slipped -away, unable to sit quietly in their places and endure the -suspense, and vaguely hoping to hear something more outside. -Among those that remained the buzz of conversation -grew louder and louder. Only a few very determined -play-goers even pretended to listen to what was going on -upon the stage. Meanwhile the unfortunate author, to -whom, after all, the fate of his play was not less urgent a -matter than the fate of the city, sat upon his prompter’s -stool—the author not uncomonly did the duty of prompter—and -heartily cursed the bad luck which had distracted in -so disastrous a way the attention of his audience.</p> - -<p>When at last, to the great relief of everyone concerned, -the performance was brought to a conclusion, the young -officer told his story, supplementing the meagre contents of -the despatch which he had brought, to a full conclave of -magistrates, assembled in one of the senate-rooms of the -Prytaneum or Town-hall of Athens. I may introduce him -to my readers as Callias, the hero of my story.</p> - -<p>Many of the details that follow had already been given by -Callias, but as he had to repeat them for the benefit of the -magistrates who had stopped behind in the theatre, I may -as well put them all together.</p> - -<p>“We know,” said the president, “that Conon was beaten -in a battle in the harbor of Mitylene. So much we heard -from Hippocles, a very patriotic person by the way, -though he is an alien. He has a very swift yacht that can -outstrip any war-ship in Greece, and often gives us very -valuable intelligence. Do you know him?”</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1024px;"> -<img src="images/i_025.jpg" width="1024" height="635" alt="THE THEATER OF DIONYSUS AT THE PRESENT DAY." title="" /> -<span class="caption">THE THEATER OF DIONYSUS AT THE PRESENT DAY.</span> -</div> - -<p>“Yes,” said Callias, flushing with pleasure, for indeed he -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -knew and respected Hippocles greatly, “I know him very -well.”</p> - -<p>“Well, to go on,” resumed the president. “So much we -know, but no more. Tell us exactly how Conon fared in -the battle.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” answered the young man, “he lost thirty ships.”</p> - -<p>“And the crews,” asked the president.</p> - -<p>“They escaped; happily they were able to get to land.”</p> - -<p>“Thank Athene for that;” and a murmur of relief ran -round the meeting. “And the other forty—he had seventy, -I think, in all?” Callias nodded assent.</p> - -<p>“What happened to the forty?”</p> - -<p>“They were hauled up under the walls when the day -went against us.”</p> - -<p>“Now tell us exactly what has been going on since.”</p> - -<p>“The Spartans blockaded the harbor, having some of -their ships within, and some without. Our general saw -that it was only a matter of time when he should have to -surrender. The Spartans had four times as many ships, the -ships not, perhaps, quite as good as his, but the crews, I am -afraid, somewhat better.”</p> - -<p>“Shade of Themistocles,” murmured one of the magistrates, -“that it should come to this—the Spartan crews -‘somewhat better’ than ours. But I am afraid that it is -only too true.”</p> - -<p>“He could not break through; and could not stand a long -siege. Mitylene was fairly well provisioned for its ordinary -garrison, but here were seventy crews added all of a sudden -to the number. He sent some officers—I had the honor of -being one of them—and we found that by sparing everything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -to the very utmost, we might hold out for five weeks. The -only chance was to send news to Athens. You might help -us, we thought.”</p> - -<p>“We might; we <i>must</i>, I say. But how it is to be done is -another matter. Tell us how you got here?”</p> - -<p>“The general took the two fastest ships in his squadron, -manned them with the very best rowers that he could find, -practised the crews for four days in the inner harbor, and then -set about running the blockade with them. The Spartans, -you see, had grown a little careless. We hadn’t made any -attempt to get out, and Conon got a Lesbian freedman to -desert to the Spartans with a story that we were meaning -to surrender. This put them off their guard still more. -They got into a way of leaving their ships at noon, to take -their meal and their siesta afterwards on shore. We made -a dart at an unguarded place between two of their blockading -ships and we got through. I don’t think that we -lost a single man. By the time that the crews of the -blockading galleys regained their vessels we were well -out of bow-shot. Our instructions were to separate, when -we got outside the harbor. We did not do this at once because -we had planned a little trick which might, we hoped, -help to put the enemy off the scent. The ship that I was -in was really the swifter of the two. This was, of course, -the reason why I was put into it. But as long as we kept -together we made believe that we were the slower. When -they came out after us—they had manned half-a-dozen -ships or so as quickly as they could—we separated. My -ship, which you will understand, was really the faster of -the two, was put about the north as if making for Helles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>pont; -the other kept on its course, straight for Athens. The -Spartans told off their best ships to follow the latter which -they thought that they had the better chance of catching. -And of course, as it was headed this way, it seemed the -more important of the two.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose that they overtook it,” said the president, -“or it would have been here before this.”</p> - -<p>“Well, we soon outstripped the two galleys that were -told to look after us. When we were well out of sight, we -headed westward again, took a circuit round the north side -of Lemnos, and got here without seeing another enemy.”</p> - -<p>“How long is it since you left Mitylene?”</p> - -<p>“About five days.”</p> - -<p>“But how long did Conon think he could hold out?”</p> - -<p>“About forty days; perhaps more, if the men were put on -short rations.”</p> - -<p>“You have done well, my son,” said the president kindly, -“and Athens will not forget it. We will consult together, -though there is small need of consulting, I take it. The relief -<i>must</i> be sent. Is it not so gentlemen?”</p> - -<p>His colleagues nodded assent.</p> - -<p>“But there are things to be talked over. We must decide -how much we can send, and that cannot be done upon the -spot. But there is a matter that can be settled at once. -Conon must be told that he is going to be relieved. Now, -who will tell him? Will you?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, if you see fit to give me the order.”</p> - -<p>“And how?”</p> - -<p>“I would consult with Hippocles.”</p> - -<p>“Excellent!” cried the president. “He is just the man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -to help us. You will go and see him, and then report to -me. Come to me to-night; it will not matter how late it is; -I shall be waiting for you.”</p> - -<p>Callias saluted, and withdrew.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /> - -<small>HIPPOCLES THE ALIEN.</small></h2> - - -<p>Hippocles has been described as an alien. An “alien,” -then at Athens, as in the other Greek cities, was -a resident foreigner. He might be an enfranchised -slave, he might be a barbarian (as all persons not Greek -were described), or he might be a Greek of the purest descent, -but if he had not the rights of Athenian citizenship, -he was an “alien.” He could not hold any landed or -house property: he was obliged to appear in any law -suit in which he might be concerned in the person of -an Athenian citizen who was described as his “patron,” -and he was heavily taxed. A special impost that went -under the name of an “alien-tax” was only a slight matter, -some twelve drachmas<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> a year, but all the imposts were -made specially heavy for them. And though they had no -share in directing the policy of the State, they were required -to serve in its fleets and armies. This treatment -however, did not keep aliens from settling in Athens. On -the contrary they were to be found there in great numbers, -and as almost all the trade of the place was in their hands, -some of them were among its richest inhabitants.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<p>At the time of which I am writing Hippocles had the -reputation, which we may say was by no means undeserved, -of being the richest resident in Athens. And -more than that, he was one of the most patriotic. He -loved the city as if it had been his native place, and did the -duty and more than the duty of a son to her. The special -contributions which as a wealthy man he was called upon -to make to the public service<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> were made with a princely -liberality. He even voluntarily undertook services which -were not required of him by law. Every year he had come -forward to furnish the crew and munitions of a ship-of-war, -a charge to which citizens only were properly liable. And -of the fleet of which such gloomy tidings had just reached -Athens, he had equipped no less than three.</p> - -<p>Hippocles had a curious history. He was born in the -Greek colony of Poseidonia.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> He was just entering on -manhood when his native city fell into the hands of its -Lucanian neighbors. The barbarians did not abuse their -victory. They did not treat the conquered city, as the -Greeks of Croton some ninety years before had treated -Sybaris, reducing it to an absolute ruin. On the contrary -they contented themselves with imposing a tribute, and -leaving a governor, with a garrison to support him, to see -that their new subjects did not forget their duty. But the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -presence of the foreigner was a grievous burden to the proud -Greeks. For ages afterwards their descendants were accustomed -to assemble once a year and to bewail their fate, as -the Sons of Jacob at the Vale of Weeping, the Gentile -domination over their city. The disaster broke the heart -of Hippocles’ father Cimon who was one of Pacidoninus’ -most distinguished citizens and had actually held the office -of Tagus or chief magistrate in the year of its fall. He survived -the event scarcely a year, recommending his son with -his last breath to leave the place for some city where he -could live in a way more worthy of a Greek. His son spent -the next two years in quietly realizing his property, nor did -he meet with any interference from the Lucanian masters -of the place. His house he had to sacrifice; to sell it might -have attracted too much notice; but everything else that he -had was converted into money. When this was safely invested -at Athens—Athens having been for various reasons -the city of his choice—he secretly departed. But he did not -depart alone. He took with him a companion, who, he declared, -more than made up to him for all that as a Poseidonian -citizen he had lost. Pontia, the daughter of the -Lucanian governor, was a girl of singular beauty. The -Lucanian, in common with the other Italian tribes, gave to -their women a liberty which was unknown in Greek households. -Under the circumstances of life in which he had -been brought up, Hippocles though a frequent visitor at -the governor’s house, would never, except by the merest -accident, have seen the governor’s daughter. As it was he -had many opportunities of making her acquaintance. Instead -of being shut up, after the Greek fashion in the women<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>’s -apartments, she shared the common life of the family. At -first the novelty of the situation almost shocked the young -man; before long it pleased him; it ended by conquering his -heart. The young Greek, who was leaving his native land -because it did not suit his pride of race to live under the rule -of a barbarian, did not submit without an effort. Again -and again he reproached himself with the monstrous inconsistency -of which he was guilty. “Madman that I am,” he -said to himself, “I cannot endure to live with barbarians -for neighbors and yet I think of taking a barbarian to -wife.” Again and again he resolved to break free from the -influence that was enthralling him. But love was too -strong for him. Nor indeed, were there wanting arguments -on the other side. “Actually,” he said to himself, “I am a -Greek no more; a Greek without a city is only not a barbarian -in name.” This argument, of little weight, perhaps, -in itself, gained force from the loveliness and mental charms -of the young Pontia. She had long felt a distaste for the -rough, uncultured life into which she had been born. The -culture and refinement of her father’s young Greek guest -charmed her. The sadness of his mien touched the -chord of pity in her heart, and admiration and pity together -soon grew into love.</p> - -<p>Hippocles had just completed the settlement of his affairs, -and was ruefully contemplating the curious dilemma in -which he found himself—everything ready for his departure -from Poseidonia, but Poseidonia holding him from such departure -by ties which he could break only by breaking his -heart—when circumstances suggested a way of escape.</p> - -<p>The governor was a widower, and had more than the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -usual incapacity of busy men in middle life for discerning -the symptoms of love. It was accordingly, with a cheerful -unconsciousness of his guest’s feelings that he said to him -one morning:—“I have good news about my dear Pontia. -The girl is growing up, and should be settled in life, and I -have had a most eligible proposal for her. I have told you, -I think, that I am getting tired of this life, and want to -get back to my farm among the hills. So I have asked to -be relieved, and I hear from the Senate that they have -chosen a successor, Hostius of Vulsi, a cousin, I should say, -of my own, and a most respectable man. Hostius has come -to announce the fact in person, and at the same time to ask -for my daughter in marriage. A most eligible proposal, I -say. Perhaps he is a little old, about five years younger -than myself. But that’s of no consequence. I mentioned -the matter to her. She did not say much, but, of course, a -girl must seem to hold back. I suggested that the marriage -should take place next week—for I should dearly like to be -at home in time for the barley harvest. That roused her. -Of course she said that she had no clothes. I don’t know -about that—she always seems to me to look very nice—but -I should not like to annoy her, for she is a dear, good girl, -and I gave her another month. It’s an excellent arrangement—don’t -you think so?”</p> - -<p>Hippocles muttered a few words of assent; but long before -the month was out, he and his Pontia were on their -way to Athens.</p> - -<p>The marriage and the settlement in Athens had taken -place twenty-one years before the time of which I am -writing. Two children had been born, a son and a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -daughter. The son had fallen, not many months before, at -the battle of Notium<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> and the death of the mother, who -had been in feeble health, had soon followed. The daughter, -to whom her parents had given the name of Hermione, had -just completed her sixteenth year.</p> - -<p>Hermione united in herself some of the happiest characteristics -of the two races from which she sprang. Her -father was a Greek of the Greeks. Poseidonia had been -founded by Dorian settlers from Sybaris, who could not -contrive to live on good terms with the Achaean Greeks -that had become the predominant element in that city; and -Hippocles, who claimed descent from the Messenian kings, -yielded to none in nobility of birth. A purer type of the -genuine Hellenes it would have been impossible to find. -Pontia brought from the Lucanian hills, among which she -had been reared, some of the best qualities, moral and -physical, of the Italian race. The simplicity, frugality, and -temperance which then and long after distinguished rural -Italy, were to be seen in her united with a singular -feminine charm not so often found among that somewhat -rude population; until the close air of the Piraeus, -ill-suited to a daughter of the hills, sapped her constitution, -she had had a frame magnificently healthy and strong. -To the daughter the climate which had shortened her mother’s -days, happily did no harm. It was in fact her native air, -and she throve in it. She was still undeveloped, for she -had only just completed her sixteenth year; but she gave -promise of remarkable beauty, and indeed, the promise was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -already more than half fulfilled. When she had performed -the duty, sometimes imposed on the daughters of resident -aliens,—it might be called, rather, privilege conceded to -them—and walked in the great procession of the patron-goddess, -holding a sunshade over some high-born Athenian -maiden,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> all the spectators agreed that the prize of beauty -belonged to the stranger. Her stature reached the very utmost -height that the canons of beauty conceded to women; -so far she was more of an Athene than an Aphrodite. But -her face and her whole bearing were exquisitely feminine. -The sapphire-colored eyes, shaded by long drooping lashes, -the forehead, broad and low with the clustering ringlets of -light chestnut on either side, perfectly rounded cheeks, -firm, delicate mouth, showing a glimpse, but only a glimpse -of pearly teeth, and a faultlessly clear complexion, just -tinted with the brown caught from Ægæan suns and winds—for -she was dearly fond of a cruise in her father’s yacht—made -up together a remarkable combination of charms.</p> - -<p>Callias had seen her but once before, and that was on a -melancholy occasion. He had been commissioned by the -general in command to break to her father the death -of her brother, killed as has been said, in the unlucky -conflict at Notium. He had behaved there with conspicuous -gallantry, having led the boarding party which captured -the only Lacedaemonian galley that the Athenians had -to set off against their own fifteen losses, and had fallen in the -moment of victory. It was not the first time that he had -shown distinguished valor, and it was for this reason, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -well as on account of the high reputation of his father, that -Alcibiades had sent Callias with a special message of condolence. -The blow, which could not be softened by any delicacy -in the telling, and for which the praises of the general -were but a slight consolation, broke Hippocles down completely. -It was then that Hermione showed the strength -of her character. Tenderly attached herself to her brother -she had come forward to support her broken-hearted father. -With a patient endurance that was beyond all praise, she -had battled with her own grief in the effort to help a -sorrow even more agonizing than her own, till for very -shame Hippocles had raised himself to bear his loss with -resignation. The effort saved his life; for even the physicians -had at one time been greatly alarmed. Callias, accustomed -to think of women as encumbrances rather than -helps in time of need was profoundly impressed by the -girl’s demeanor. If he had been inclined, for a moment, -to think that her singular self-possession indicated a want -of womanly feeling, he would have been soon undeceived. -Paying a visit of inquiry to the house next day, he found -that Hermione’s endurance had not lasted beyond the occasion -for which it was wanted. Her father received him, -and told him that his daughter had broken down under the -strain. “I was cowardly enough,” he said, “yesterday to -rest upon her strength when I should have summoned up -my own. The gods grant that I may not have taxed it -overmuch, and that I may not lose both my children. I -have learned that I ought not to have grudged my son to the -city which has been a second mother to me; if only I have -not learnt it at too terrible a price.” Callias had to leave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -Athens on the next day to rejoin the fleet, but he had the -satisfaction of hearing before his departure that Hermione -was on a fair way to recovery. Since then he had not been -in Athens.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /> - -<small>A COUNCIL.</small></h2> - - -<p>The house of Hippocles was on a smaller scale than might -have seemed suitable to his vast wealth. The fact was that -both he and his daughter had simple tastes. They had a -special dislike to the enormous establishments of slaves -which it was the fashion for rich Athenians, whether of -native or of foreign birth, to maintain. In each division -of the house—for, it was divided after the usual Greek -fashion, into two “apartments,” to use that word in its -proper sense, belonging respectively to the men and the -women<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>—there were but three or four inmates besides -the master and mistress. Hippocles had his house steward -and his personal attendant, both older than himself, long -since emancipated, who had accompanied him from -his Italian home, and a lad of seventeen, who -was still a slave, but who, if he conducted himself -well, would certainly earn his freedom by the time that -he had reached the age of thirty. Hermione’s establishment, -on the other hand, consisted of a lady who had just -exchanged the post of governess, now no longer necessary, -for that of companion or duenna, a housekeeper, and two -domestics who may be described by the modern terms of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -lady’s-maid and house-maid. Stephanion, the companion, -was of pure Athenian descent. She belonged to one of the -many families which had been reduced to poverty by the -war, and she had been glad to take employment in the house -of the wealthy alien. She had more education than was -commonly given to Athenian ladies, but this is not to say -much, and Hermione would have fared but ill for teaching, -according at least to our standard if her father had not always -found time even in his busiest days, to supplement -her education. The housekeeper was a Laconian woman. -She, too, had found her way into the family through circumstances -connected with the war. She had been nurse in a -wealthy Athenian household. Before the war it had been the -fashion, my readers should know, for the upper classes at -Athens to get their nurses from Sparta. A true Spartan, a -daughter that is, of the military aristocracy that ruled -Laconia and its dependencies, it was, of course, impossible -to obtain, but girls from the farmer class that cultivated the -lands of their soldier masters often sought situations in -other countries. This was the case with Milanion, -who as the youngest of the five daughters of a Laconian -farmer, had been delighted to find a place with an Athenian -lady, Melissa, wife of Demochares, at a salary which almost -equalled her father’s income. This was just before the commencement -of the long war. She had been nurse to Melissa’s -five children when the disastrous expedition to Sicily -brought irretrievable ruin upon her employer’s family. Demochares -was one of the army that surrendered with Nicias, -was thrown with his comrades into that most dreadful of -prisons, the stone-quarries of Syracuse, and died of a fever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -before the end of the year. His property had consisted, for -the most part, of farms in the island of Chios, and when -Chios revolted from Athens, the widow and her children -were reduced to something very like poverty. Nothing was -left to them but a small farm at Marathon, and as it so -happened, the rent of the house which Hippocles unable, -as has been said, to own real property in Attica, had been -accustomed to hire. The establishment had to be broken -up, the slaves being sold and the free persons looking for -employment elsewhere. Milanion was about to return, -much against her will, to Laconia, where her long residence -at Athens would have rendered her an object of suspicion -and dislike, when an opening suddenly presented itself in -the family of Hippocles. Pontia’s long illness had come to -a fatal end, and the widower was looking for an experienced -woman to take charge of the young Hermione. Milanion -seemed to him exactly the person that he wanted, and she, -on the other hand, was delighted to come to him. As her -charge grew older, her duties as nurse gradually changed -into the duties of a housekeeper. She had come to her new -situation accompanied by a middle-aged woman, a Marian -by birth, Manto by name, whom Hippocles had bought, at -her suggestion, at the sale of Demochares’ slaves. Manto -had steadily refused the emancipation which her master had -several times offered to her.</p> - -<p>“No, sir,” she said, “I thank you very much, but I am -better as I am. I desire nothing more than to live in your -house, and, when my time comes, to die in it.”</p> - -<p>“What if I should die first,” suggested the merchant.</p> - -<p>“The gods know, my master, the gods know,” cried the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -poor woman in an agony. “But it is impossible; the gods -would not do anything so cruel, so unjust. But, if -you wish, you may put what you please into your will. As -long as you live you are my master, and I am your slave.” -So matters stood when my story opens. Perhaps it may be -added that Manto’s condition did not prevent her tongue -from being truthful; but affectionate, faithful, and honest, -she allowed herself and was allowed—no unusual circumstance, -yet she was under a system of slavery—a liberty of -speech which in one free born would certainly have been impossible. -Finally, to complete my account of the household, -Hermione had for her maid a girl about a year older than -herself. She too had come into the family along with -Milanion and Manto. Demochares had bought her at the -sale of the prisoners taken by the Athenians when a little -Sicilian town was captured. She was then a singularly -pretty child about seven years old, and Demochares -had meant her to be a playfellow or plaything, as -the case might be, of a daughter of his own of about the -same age. She was of mixed race; her mother was a -Sicanian, that is, one of the so-called aboriginal inhabitants -of Sicily, her father a Carthaginian trader. She was now -grown up into a handsome maiden, who with her raven-black -hair, dark piercing eyes, and deep brunette complexion, -made a remarkable contrast to the fair beauty of her -mistress.</p> - -<p>When Callias reached the house the hour was late, later -than etiquette allowed for a visit, except from an intimate -friend, or on a matter of urgent business. His business, -however, was urgent, and he did not hesitate to knock, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -is to strike the door sharply with a brass ring which was -attached to it by a staple. The day-porter had gone home -for the night, and the door was opened by the young slave -mentioned above. He explained that his master was just -about to sit down to his evening meal. “Take him my -name,” said Callias, “and say that I come from the magistrates -on an important matter of business.” The lad invited -him to enter, and to take a seat in a small chamber which -looked upon the central court of the andronitis, a grass plot, -bordered on all sides by myrtle and orange. In a few minutes -he returned, and invited the visitor to follow him. -Callias crossed the court and passed through the door which -led into the women’s apartment. Hippocles, it should be -said, was accustomed to see visitors on business in the front -or men’s portion of the dwelling, but spent his leisure time -in the rooms assigned to his daughter. The two had just -taken their places at the table, Hippocles reclining on a -couch, Hermione sitting on a chair by his right hand, so -that his face was turned towards her.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> The steward had -placed the first dish on the table, and was standing in front, -with Hippocles’ personal attendant behind him. The latter -at a sign from his master, prepared a place for the new-comer.</p> - -<p>Hippocles saluted his guest in a most friendly fashion, -and Hermione gave him her hand with a charming smile, -though the moment afterwards tears gathered in her eyes, -when she remembered the last occasion on which they had -met.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 70%;"> -<img src="images/i_045.jpg" width="60%" alt="Plan of a large Grecian House, probably more pretentious -than the House of Hippocles." title="" /><br /> -<span class="caption">Plan of a large Grecian House, probably more pretentious -than the House of Hippocles.</span> -<p class="blockquot">1. Main Door.<br /> -2. Entrance Passage.<br /> -3. Central Court of the Men’s part of the house (<i>Andronitis</i>).<br /> -4. 4. 4. Various Rooms of the <i>Andronitis</i>.<br /> -5. Passage connecting the <i>Andronitis</i> with the <i>Gynæconitis</i> (Women’s Apartments).<br /> -6. Court of the <i>Gynæconitis</i>.<br /> -7. 7. 7. Various rooms of the <i>Gynæconitis</i>.<br /> -8. The Prostas—a hall opening from 6.<br /> -9. 9. Apartments probably used as a family bedroom and sitting room.<br /> -10. 10. Rooms for looms and woolen manufacture.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<p>“If the business will wait for half-an-hour,” said the -host, “postpone it for so long. I have had a long day’s -work, and shall be scarcely myself till I have eaten. And -you—doubtless you have dined before this; but you will -take a cup with us.”</p> - -<p>As a matter of fact Callias had not dined, though in the -excitement of the day’s business he had almost forgotten -food. A hasty meal snatched on board the trireme which -had brought him to Athens had been his only refreshment -since the morning.</p> - -<p>“Nay, sir, but I have not dined; unless you call some -five or six dried anchovies and a hunk of barley bread, -washed down with some very sharp Hymettus, a dinner; -and that was rather before noon than after it.”</p> - -<p>The meal was simple. It consisted of some fresh anchovies, -a piece of roast pork, a hare brought from Eubœa, for Attica -swept as it had been again and again by hostile armies, had -almost ceased to supply this favorite food, and a pudding of -wheat flour, seasoned with spices. This last had been made -by Hermione herself. The rest of the dinner had been -cooked by a man who came in daily for the purpose. -When the viands had been cleared away, Hippocles -proposed the usual toast, “To our Good Fortune,” the -toast not being drank, but honored by pouring some -drops from the goblet. A second libation followed, this -time to “Athene the Keeper of the City.” The host then -pledged his guest in a cup of Chian wine. His daughter -followed the rule of the best Grecian families, and drank -no wine.</p> - -<p>“We can dispense, I think, with these,” he said, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -the steward was about to put some apples, nuts and olives -on the table.</p> - -<p>“Just so,” replied his guest, “and this excellent cup of -Chian will be all the wine that I shall want.”</p> - -<p>“Now then for business,” said Hippocles. “Let us hope -that the city will pardon us for postponing it so long. -But we must eat. Shall my daughter leave us? For my -part, I find her a very Athene for counsel.”</p> - -<p>“As you will, sir,” replied Callias, “I have nothing to -say but what all may know, and indeed will know before a -day is past.”</p> - -<p>The young man then proceeded to tell the story with -which my readers are already acquainted. The question -was briefly this: How was Conon to be told that relief was -coming?</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Hippocles, “that he must be told. He is a -brave fellow, and a good general, too, though perhaps a -little rash. But he must make terms for himself and his -men, unless he has a project of relief. He would not be -doing his duty to the state if he did not. But if he capitulates -before the relief comes—how many ships has he?”</p> - -<p>“Forty,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“And we can have a hundred, or possibly, a hundred and -ten here, by straining every nerve. The Spartans have a -hundred and forty, I think.”</p> - -<p>“A few may have been disabled in the battle; but it would -not be safe to reckon on less, for very likely others have -been dropping in since then.”</p> - -<p>“Then Conon’s party will turn the scale, and they will -be better manned, I take it, than any that we shall be able<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> -to send out from here. They must not be lost to us. If they -are, we shall do better not to send out the fleet at all, but to -stand on our defence.”</p> - -<p>“Is the <i>Skylark</i> in harbor now?” asked Callias.</p> - -<p>My readers must know that the <i>Skylark</i> was Hippocles’ -fast sailing yacht.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” was the reply, “she is in harbor and very much -at the service of the state.”</p> - -<p>“Trust me with her,” said Callias, “and I will run the -blockade.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think it is possible,” answered Hippocles. “I -gathered from what you said that the Spartans are inside -the harbor. Now you may give the slip to a blockading -squadron when it is watching a harbor from the outside. -They always keep close to the mouth you see; and a really -good craft, smartly handled, that can sail in the eye of the -wind, and does not draw much water, has always a good -chance. I’ll warrant the <i>Skylark</i> to do it, if it is to be done. -But with the blockade <i>inside</i> the harbor, the case is different, -and I must own that I don’t see my way.”</p> - -<p>“May I speak, father?” said Hermione.</p> - -<p>“Since when have you begun to ask leave to use your -tongue, my darling?” replied her father with a smile. -“You should hear her lecturing me when we are alone,” he -went on, turning to his guest. “But our counsellor is not -used to speaking in an assembly.”</p> - -<p>“Would it be of any use,” said the girl, “to disguise the -<i>Skylark</i>, by painting her another color and altering the cut -of her rigging?”</p> - -<p>“A good thought, my darling,” replied her father, “and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -one that I shall certainly make use of. Now let me think; -just for the present, things do not seem to piece themselves -together.”</p> - -<p>He rose from the couch on which he had been reclining, -and paced up and down the room in profound thought. -Fully half an hour had passed when he suddenly stopped -short in his walk, and turned to his daughter.</p> - -<p>“My darling,” he said, “I see that you are getting -sleepy.”</p> - -<p>“Sleepy, father?” cried the girl, who indeed was as wide -awake as possible, “sleepy? what can you mean? how could -I possibly feel sleepy, when we are talking about such -things?”</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless your father says it,” replied Hippocles, -“and fathers are never mistaken.” And he laid his hand -upon her shoulder.</p> - -<p>Without another word Hermione rose from her chair, -kissed her father, held out her hand again to Callias, and -left the room.</p> - -<p>Hippocles waited for a few minutes, and then sat down -on the couch by Callias’ side.</p> - -<p>“You will have guessed,” he said, “that I wanted the -girl away. I wish that I had never let her stay; now she -will suspect something; but it cannot be helped. Now, -listen. What the girl said about disguising the <i>Skylark</i> set -me thinking. That will be useful another time; indeed I -shall do it now. But it won’t do all that we want. Disguised -or not disguised, I don’t see how she is to get past -the Spartan ships in Mitylene harbor. Now we must try a -bolder play. I shall disguise myself, and go.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“You, sir,” cried Callias in astonishment. “But think -of the danger.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” replied Hippocles, “we cannot expect to get anything -really valuable without danger. And I am something of -a fatalist. What will be will be. Now listen: I shall disguise myself -as a trader of Cos. I am a Dorian by birth, you know, and -I can use the broad vowels and the lisps to perfection I flatter -myself. I say Cos,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> because I happen to be particularly well acquainted -with its dialect. I shall go to Callicratidas<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> and tell -him my story—what the story shall be I have not yet made up -my mind, but it is not hard to impose upon a Spartan. However -leave all that to me. Go and tell the magistrates that I undertake -to tell Conon that he will be relieved. And, mind—not -a word to my daughter. I shall tell her that I am called away -on important business. Very likely she will guess something -of the truth; but it would only trouble her to tell her more.”</p> - -<p>“And the magistrates, sir?” asked Callias, “how much -are they to know?”</p> - -<p>“Nothing more, I think, than what I said, that Hippocles -the Alien undertakes to communicate with Conon. I -don’t doubt the good faith and discretion of our friends; but the -fewer there are in the secret of such a plan, the better. Keep -a thing in your own mind, I say. If you whisper a secret even -unto the earth, when the reed grows up it will repeat it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> -You will say simply that it is a matter which it is well -for the state to conceal. If I succeed, I justify myself; -if not—well, I take it, no man’s anger here will concern -me much. And now farewell! Don’t vex yourself about me. -All will turn out well; and if not—how can a man die better -than in saving Athens. All my affairs are arranged, if I -should not return. My patron Melesippus will, of course, be -my executor, and I have ventured to join your name with -his in the trust? Have I your permission?”</p> - -<p>Callias pressed his hand in silence.</p> - -<p>“That is well, and now my mind is easy. And now,” he -went on in a cheerful tone, “farewell again; but before you -go, we must have a libation to Hermione who for the next -ten days must be my special patron. If I come back safe, I -will regild this temple from roof to basement.”</p> - -<p>The libation was duly poured, and the vow repeated as -the drops fell upon the ground.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /> - -<small>RUNNING THE BLOCKADE.</small></h2> - - -<p>Hippocles, who was a ship builder as well as a merchant, -put all available hands to work on the alterations which he -proposed to make in the <i>Skylark</i>. To disguise her effectually -was a more difficult thing than Hermione had imagined -when she had suggested this idea. To disguise her beyond -all risk of discovery was probably impossible, a landsman -might be deceived by different colored paint, and a -nautical observer, if he did not give more than a casual -glance, by an altered rigging. But the lines of the ship -would remain. These Hippocles endeavored to conceal by a -false and much broader bow which was ingeniously fitted -on to the true hull, and which made her look anything -but the fast sailer that she really was. Heavy bulwarks -were substituted for the light ones that had been a familiar -feature of the <i>Skylark</i>. Altogether she was metamorphosed -in a fairly satisfactory way from a smart yacht into a -clumsy merchantman. As the venturous owner intended -to time his arrival for the night, and to do his errand -before day-break, he hoped that the disguise would save -her as long as it should be wanted.</p> - -<p>So much energy did the workmen, stimulated by their -master’s presence and by his liberal promises of renumeration, -throw into their work, that by the evening of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -seventh day the <i>Skylark</i> was ready for sea in her new dress, -disguised beyond recognition, except by very skilful eyes -indeed. The dockyard had been strictly closed against all -visitors while the work was in progress, and the men had -been lodged within its walls, so that no hint of what was -going on might leak out. Hippocles had paid a daily visit -to his home, and did not conceal from his daughter that he -was busy in carrying out her suggestions. So frank, indeed, -was he, and so cheerful in manner, that the girl was fairly -thrown off her guard. Not a suspicion crossed her mind, -that her father was meditating a desperate enterprise in -which the chances were certainly rather against his life -than otherwise, nor did she realize the extraordinary haste -with which the work was being pressed on, though she was -generally aware that a good deal of expedition was being -used. Hence she was taken by surprise, when on the -eighth day instead of her father’s usual visit, timed so that -he might share her noon-day meal, a written message was -delivered to her, to the effect that her father was suddenly -called away from Athens on business of importance, and -that he could not be certain of the day of his return. The -surprise almost overwhelmed her, chiefly because she -felt that this unusual hurry on the part of her father was -significant of the perilous nature of the enterprise. It was -only her unusual fortitude, backed by the feeling that she -herself must not deviate from doing her duty, that enabled -her to bear up at all.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Hippocles was on his way to the scene of -action. The <i>Skylark</i> crossed the Ægean without meeting -with any misadventure. She was overhauled, indeed, when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> -about half her journey was accomplished by an Athenian -cruiser, and her owner had the satisfaction of finding that -so far his disguise was successful. The Athenian captain -was an acquaintance of his own (indeed there were few -prominent people in the city to whom he was not known) -and had actually been on board the <i>Skylark</i> more than -once; but he did not recognize either Hippocles or his vessel. -In fact he was about to carry her off as a prize when -Hippocles, still without discovering himself, produced -the pass with which he had been provided under the -seal of the Athenian authorities. His arrival at Mitylene -was happily timed in more ways than one. By a stroke of -that good fortune which is proverbially said to help the bold -it so happened that there was a violent north-east wind -blowing. This was a wind from which the harbor of -Mitylene afforded little or no shelter. In fact, when it was -blowing, most sailors preferred to be out on the open sea. -Hippocles accordingly found everything in commotion. -The blockading ships, which moored as they were across -the mouth of the harbor, felt the full force of the wind, -were anxious about their moorings, and had little attention -to give to any strange ship. The <i>Skylark</i> was in fact -hardly noticed in the darkness and confusion, and actually -got beyond the line of the blockading galleys, and as far as -the admiral’s ship, without being challenged. For a few -moments he thought of boldly pushing on to the inner part -of the harbor, where, as has been said, the remainder of -the Athenian fleet was lying hauled up under the walls; -but when he was hailed by a voice from a Spartan ship, -one of two that lay almost directly in his way, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -abandoned the idea. “Anaxilaus, merchant of Cos, to see -the admiral, on business of importance,” was his reply -to the challenge. At the last moment he dropped his -anchor. A few minutes afterward, he came on board the -admiral’s galley and reported himself to that officer.</p> - -<p>It would be unjust to Callicratidas—for this was the -admiral’s name—to describe him as a model Spartan. He -was rather a model Greek. The Spartans had great virtues -which however, it is curious to observe, seldom survived -transplantation from their native soil.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> They were frugal, -temperate, and just; but they were narrow in their habits of -thought and their conceptions of duty. A good soldier whose -efficiency was not diminished by any vice was their ideal -man. They could not enter into any large and liberal views -of life. And their views of statesmanship whether as regarded -their own city or the whole race in general were as -narrow as were their notions of private virtue. They sometimes -showed a great amount of diplomatic skill, a strange -contrast with the bluntness which was their traditional -characteristic, but of wide and general views they seem to -have been incapable. Yet Callicratidas seems to have been -an exception. We know comparatively little about him. -He emerges from absolute obscurity at the beginning of the -year with which my story opens, and it is only for a few -months that he plays a conspicuous part in history, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -from now up to the hour when we see him for the last -time, all his words and acts are marked with a rare nobility.</p> - -<p>It was not difficult for Hippocles to invent a story which -should account for his presence at Mitylene. The domestic -politics of almost every Greek state were mixed up with the -great struggle that was going on between Athens and -Sparta. Everywhere the democratic party looked to Athens -as its champion, the aristocratic to Sparta. This was especially -true of the states which were called the allies but were -really the subjects or tributaries of Athens. A turn of the -political wheels that brought the aristocrats to the top -was commonly followed by a revolt from the sovereign -state; when, as was usually the case, they remained underneath, -they busied themselves in plotting for a change, and -their first step was to open communications with the Spartan -general or admiral in command.</p> - -<p>In Cos the popular or pro-Athenian party was in the ascendant, -and their opponents were weak. The fact was -that the Spartans were not in good repute there. Six years -before their admiral Astyochus had plundered the island -laying hands impartially on the property of friends -and of foes. Still there was a party which remained faithful -to Sparta, and Hippocles preferred to speak as their representative. -His wide-spread connections as a merchant—and -Cos had a large trade with its famous vintages and -equally famous woven stuffs—gave him a knowledge of details -and persons that would have deceived a far more acute -and suspicious person than Callicratidas.</p> - -<p>The merchant began the conversation by offering -the admiral a present of wine, and one of those almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> -transparent robes of silk that were a specialty of the island.</p> - -<p>“I will not be so churlish as to refuse what you have the -good will to offer me,” said Callicratidas, “but you must -understand that I do not accept these things for myself. I -accept no personal gifts; it is a dangerous practice, and has -given rise to much scandal. I shall send them to Sparta, and -the magistrates will dispose of them as they think fit. What -is this?” he went on, taking up the robe and holding it -between his eyes and the lamp. “What do you use it for? -for straining the wine?”</p> - -<p>Hippocles explained that it was a material for garments.</p> - -<p>“Garments!” exclaimed the Spartan, “why, we might as -well wear a spider’s web. It is not clothing at all. It -neither warms nor covers. Is it possible that there are -people so foolish as to spend their money on it? It is costly, -I suppose?”</p> - -<p>“As you ask me,” replied Hippocles, “I may say that it -costs about two minas a yard.”</p> - -<p>“Two minas a yard!” cried Callicratidas, whose Spartan -frugality was scandalized at such a price. “Why,” he added -after a short calculation, “it is very nearly a seaman’s pay -for a year,<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> are there many who buy such costly stuff?”</p> - -<p>“A dress of this material is the top of the fashion for ladies -in Athens and Corinth.”</p> - -<p>“What?” said the Spartan, “do women wear such things? -It is incredible. I have always thought that things had -changed for the worse at home, but we have not got -as far as that. And now for your business.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - -<p>Hippocles explained that there was a dissatisfied party in -Cos which was very anxious to get rid of Athenian rule. “We -are not strong enough,” he went on, “to do it of ourselves, -but send on a force and we will open the gates to you. Cos -is a strong place now, since the Athenians fortified it, and, -I should think, quite worth having.”</p> - -<p>“And if we put you in power,” said the admiral, “you -would begin, I suppose, by putting all your opponents to -death.”</p> - -<p>Callicratidas was quite a different person from what Hippocles, -with his former experience of Spartans in command, -had expected to find. His disinterestedness, simplicity and -directness were embarrassing, and made him not a little -ashamed of the part that he was playing. He would have -dearly liked to speak out of his own heart to a man who -was transparently honest and well-meaning, but in his -position it was impossible.</p> - -<p>“We have, as you may suppose, sir,” he said in answer to -this last suggestion, “a great many injuries to avenge, but -we should not wish to do anything that does not meet -with your approval.”</p> - -<p>“The whole thing does not meet with my approval,” said -the Spartan, “I hate these perpetual plots; I hate to see -every city divided against itself, and see the big persons in -Greece hounding them on to bloody deeds, and making our -own gain out of them. I wish to all the gods that I could -do something to bring this wretched war to an end. Why -should not Athens and Sparta be friends as they were in the -old days? Surely that would be better than our going on -flying at each others’ throats as we have been doing for now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -nearly twenty years past, while the Persian stands by, and -laughs to see us play his game. Where should we be—you -seem an honest man, by your face, though I cannot say -that I particularly like the errand on which you have come—where -should we be, I ask, if we had shown this accursed -folly twenty-odd years ago, when Xerxes brought up all -Asia against us? As it was we stood shoulder to shoulder, -and Greece was saved. And now we have to go cap in hand, -and beg of the very Persians who are only biding their time -to make slaves of us. I tell you, sir, I feel hot with shame -at the thought of what I have had myself to put up with in -this way. When I came here I found the pay-chest empty; -I don’t want to complain of anybody, so I won’t say how -this came about; but that was the fact, it was empty; the -men had had no wages for some time, and they would very -soon have had no food. I asked my officers for advice. -‘You must go to Cyrus,’ they said, ‘Cyrus is paymaster.’<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> -It was a bitter draught to swallow, but I managed -to get it down. I went to his palace at Sardis. ‘Tell your -master,’ I said to the slave who came to the door, a gorgeous -creature whose dress I am sure I could not afford to buy, -‘tell your master that Callicratidas, admiral of the Spartan -fleet, is here, and wishes to speak with him.’ The fellow -left me standing outside, and went to deliver his message. -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>After I had waited till my patience was almost exhausted, -the man came back, and said ‘Cyrus is not at leisure to see -you. He is drinking.’ Well, I put up with that. ‘Very -good,’ I said, ‘I will wait till he has done drinking.’ I -thought that I would go earlier the next day, though even -then it was scarcely an hour after noon. So I went at a -time when I thought that he could not possibly have taken -to his cups, and asked again to see him. This time they had -not the grace even to make an excuse. ‘Cyrus is not at -leisure to see you,’ was the answer, and nothing more. -That was more than I could stand, and I went away. I -vowed that day, and believe me it was not only because I -had myself been insulted, that if I lived to go home, I -would do my very best to bring Sparta and Athens together -again. And now, sir, as to your business. I will send -home a report of what you say. If the authorities direct me -to take any action in the matter, I shall do my best to take -it with effect, but I tell you frankly that this idea does not -commend itself to me, and let me give you a bit of advice: -do your best to make peace in your city, as I shall do my -best to make peace in Greece. Depend upon it, that if we -don’t, we shall have some one coming down upon us from -outside. It may be the Persian, though he does not seem -to me to have improved as a soldier; it may be the Macedonian, -who is a sturdy fellow, and helps us already to fight -our battles. Whoever it is he will find us helpless with an -endless quarrel and will make short work with us. And -now good night.”</p> - -<p>Hippocles left the Spartan admiral full of admiration for his -manly and patriotic temper, and not at all pleased that he -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>had been obliged to play a false part with a man so transparently -honest.</p> - -<p>About an hour after midnight the harbor was alarmed by -the cry that the ship from Cos had parted from her moorings. -Hippocles had taken advantage of a temporary increase -in the force of the wind to cut his cables, and to -drift toward the Athenian part of the harbor. Nobody was -able to answer the cry for help, even if it had not been -purposely raised too late. The <i>Skylark</i> had run the blockade, -and Conon knew that he was to be relieved.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /> - -<small>ARGINUSÆ.</small></h2> - - -<p>At Athens, meanwhile, the relieving fleet was being -fitted out with a feverish energy such as had never been -witnessed within the memory of man. Nine years before, -indeed, preparations on a larger scale, if cost and magnificence -are to be taken into account, had been made for the -disastrous expedition against Syracuse; but there was all the -difference in the world between the temper of the city at -the one time and at the other. Athens was at the height of -her strength and her wealth when she sent out her armament, -splendid, so to speak, with silver and gold, against -Syracuse. It was a mighty effort, but she did it, one may -almost say, out of the superfluity of her strength. Now she -was sadly reduced in population and in revenue; she was -struggling not for conquest but for life; she was making her -last effort, and spending on it her last talent, her last man. -To find a juster parallel it would have been necessary to go -back a life-time, to the day when the Athenians gave up -their homes and the temples of their gods to the Persian invaders, -falling back on their last defences, the “wooden -walls” of their ships. Many men had heard from father or -grandfather, it was just possible that one or two tottering -veterans may have seen with their own eyes, how on that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -day a band of youths, the very flower of the Athenian aristocracy, -headed by Cimon, the son of Miltiades, had marched -with a gay alacrity through the weeping multitude, to hang -up their bridles in the temple of Athene. For the time the -goddess needed not horsemen but seamen, and they gave -her the service that she asked for. Now the same sight was -seen again. Again the knights, the well-born and wealthy -citizens of Athens, dedicated their bridles to the patron -goddess, and went to serve as mariners on board the fleet. -Every ship that could float was hastily repaired and -equipped. Old hulks that had been lying in dock since the -palmy days when the veteran Phormion<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> led the fleet of -Athens to certain victory, were launched again and manned. -In this way the almost unprecedented number<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> of one hundred -and ten triremes were got ready. To man these a general -levy of the population was made. Every one within -the age of service not actually disabled by sickness, was -taken to form the crews, and not a few who had passed the -limit volunteered. Even then the quota had to be made up -by slaves, who were promised their freedom in return for -their services. It was a stupendous effort, and one which -Athens made with her own strength. These were not mercenaries, -but her own sons whom she was sending out to -make their last struggle for life. Night and day the preparations -were carried on, and before a month was out from the -day on which the tidings of the disaster at Mitylene reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -the city, the fleet was ready to sail. Its destination was -Samos, an island that had remained faithful to Athens -even after the disastrous end of the war in Sicily. Here it -was joined by a contingent of forty ships, made up of the -same squadron scattered about the Ægean, the two triremes -of Diomedon<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> being among them. Diomedon was related -to Callias, and the young man asked and obtained leave -from the captain with whom he had sailed from Athens to -transfer himself to his ship.</p> - -<p>A battle was imminent. The Spartan admiral had left -fifty ships to maintain the blockade of Mitylene, and sailed -to meet the relieving force. His numbers were inferior, but -pride, and perhaps policy, forbade him to decline the combat. -He had made a haughty boast to Conon, and he had -to make it good. “The sea is Sparta’s bride,” he had said. -“I will stop your insults to her.” His fleet was now off -Cape Malta, the south-eastern promontory of Lesbos. The -Athenians had taken up their position at some little islands -between it and the mainland, the Arginusæ, or White Cliffs, -as the name may be translated, a name destined to become -notable as the scene of the great city’s last victory.</p> - -<p>Callicratidas had watched the arrival of the Athenians, -and had concluded that, according to the usual custom of -Greek sailors, they would take their evening meal on shore. -Before long the fires lighted over all the group of islets<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> -showed that he was right. His own men had supped, and -they were ordered to embark in all haste and make an -attack which would probably be a surprise. What success -his bold and energetic action would have had we can only -guess. The stars in their courses fought against him. A -violent thunderstorm with heavy rain came on, and prevented -him from putting to sea.</p> - -<p>The next day was fine and calm and the two fleets were -early afloat. Their arrangement and plan of action showed a -curious contrast, a contrast such as was almost enough to -make one of the great Athenian seamen of the past turn in -his grave. The Athenian ships were massed together; the -Spartans and their allies were formed in a single line. -Callias, who had never before been present at a great sea-fight, -but who had taken pains to acquire as much professional -knowledge as he could, expressed his surprise to -Diomedon. “How is this, sir?” he said, “how can our ships -maneuver when they are packed together in this fashion?”</p> - -<p>Diomedon, an old sailor who had been afloat for nearly -forty years, smiled somewhat bitterly as he answered.</p> - -<p>“Maneuver, my dear boy! That is exactly what we -want to avoid. We can’t do it ourselves, and we don’t -mean to let our enemies do it, if it can be helped. The generation -that could manœuver is gone. Five and twenty -years of fighting have used it up. But, happily, we can still -fight, at least such a fleet as we have got to-day, the real -Athenian grit, can fight. If the weather holds fine, and I -think it will for the day, though I don’t quite like the looks -of the sky, we shall do well, because we shall be able to -keep together.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>The arrangement of the Athenian line may be very briefly -described. It had two strong wings, each consisting of sixty -ships, formed in four squadrons of fifteen. These wings -consisted wholly of Athenian galleys; the contingents of the -allies were posted in the centre, and were in single line, -either because they were better sailors, or because, as being -directly in front of the group of islets, they were protected -by their position.</p> - -<p>The policy of the Athenian commander was successful. -Arginusæ was not a battle of skillful maneuvers, but of -hard fighting. Such battles are often determined by the -fate of the general, and so it was that day. Callicratidas, -had that pride of valor which had often done such great -things for Sparta and for Greece, but which some times resulted -in immediate disaster. His sailing master, a man -of Megara, had advised him to decline a battle. A rapid -survey of the position, of the numbers of the enemy and of -the tactics which they were evidently intending to pursue, -had convinced this skillful, experienced seaman, that the -chances were against him. Callicratidas would not listen -to him. “If I perish,” he said, “Sparta will not be one -whit the worse off.” It was the answer of a man who was -as modest as he was brave; but it was not to the point. -Sparta would be a great deal worse off if she lost not only -him—and he was worth considering—but, as actually happened, -nearly the half of her fleet.</p> - -<p>The signal to advance was passed along the line, and the -admiral himself took up his place in the foremost ship. -The whole fleet could see him as he stood a conspicuous -figure in the lead. His stately and chivalrous presence, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -feeling that a man whom it was a privilege to follow anywhere, -gave, for a time, an effective encouragement. But -the loss was proportionately great when that presence was -removed. Early in the day his ship endeavored to ram -that which carried the Athenian admiral Diomedon, itself -in the van of the opposing force. Diomedon himself was at -the rudder and managed his galley with remarkable skill. -He avoided or rather half avoided the blow of the enemy’s -boat, and this in such a way that the Spartan admiral lost -his balance, and fell into the water. Callias, who was standing -on the rear of the Athenian galley, at the head of a -detachment of men ready either to board or to repel boarders, -endeavored to save him; but the weight of his armor was -fatal. He sank almost instantaneously. His death, it is -easy to believe, cost Athens even more than it cost Sparta. -It would have been infinitely better for her to fall into his -hands than to have to sue for terms, as she did not many -months afterwards, to the less generous Lysander.</p> - -<p>The battle lasted for several hours. About noon the -weather became threatening. The wind changed to the -south-west and the sea began to rise. By general consent -the struggle was suspended. Both sides had fought with -conspicuous valor, but there could be no doubt that the victory -remained with the Athenians. Their losses were serious, -nearly a fifth of their force, or to give the numbers exactly, -twenty-nine ships out of one hundred and fifty. But they -had inflicted much more damage than they had suffered. -Out of the small squadron of Spartan ships, ten in number, -nine had been destroyed; and more than sixty belonging to -the various allied contingents were either sunk or taken.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -The fifty that remained—and there were barely fifty of -them—made the best of their way either to the friendly -island of Chios, or to Phocæa on the mainland. Without -doubt the Athenians had won a great victory. Whether -the opportunity could have been used to restore permanently -the fortunes of the city, is doubtful; but it is certain that it -was lamentably wasted.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /> - -<small>AFTER THE FIGHT.</small></h2> - - -<p>A council of war was held by the Athenian admirals on -one of the Arginusæ islets as soon as they could meet after -the fighting had come to an end. Callias, by Diomedon’s -desire, waited outside the tent in which the deliberations -were being held, and could not help hearing, so high were -the voices of the speakers raised, that there was an angry -argument about the course to be pursued. The intolerably -clumsy system of having ten generals of equal authority -was on its trial, if indeed any trial was needed, and was once -more found wanting.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> Even if the right decision should be -reached, time was being wasted, time that, as we shall see, -was of a value absolutely incalculable.</p> - -<p>When at last the council broke up—its deliberations had -lasted for more than an hour—and Diomedon rejoined the -young officer, he wore a gloomy and anxious look.</p> - -<p>“I am afraid,” he said, “that mischief will come of this. -I feel it so strongly that, though I ought not, perhaps, to -tell outside the council what has been going on within, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -must call you to witness. I did my very best to persuade my -colleagues. ‘Our first business,’ I said, ‘is to save our friends. -There were twenty-six ships, I said, disabled. A few were -sunk on the spot; others, I am afraid, have gone down since; -but more than half, I hope, are still afloat. Even where the -ship is gone already, there are sure to be some of the crew -who have been able to keep themselves afloat either by -swimming or by holding on to floating stuff. For the sake -of the gods, gentlemen,’—I give you my very words—‘don’t -lose another moment. We have lost too many already. -Send every seaworthy ship that you have got to the rescue -of the shipwrecked. It is better to let ten enemies escape, -than lose a single friend.’ They would not listen to me. -They were bent, they said, on following up their victory, -an excellent thing, I allow; but only when the first duty of -making all that you have got quite safe has been performed. -One of them—I will mention no names—positively insulted -me. ‘Diomedon,’ he said, ‘has doubtless had enough fighting -for the day.’ Why, in the name of Athene, do they put such -lowbred villains into office. The fellow has a long tongue, -and so the people elect him. I ‘tired of fighting’ indeed? I -might have some excuse if I were, for I was hard at it, when -he was a thievish boy, picking up unconsidered trifles in the -market-place. Well; the end of it was that we came to a sort of -compromise. Forty-odd ships are to go and save what can be -saved from the wrecks—the gods only know how many will -be left by this time—while the rest are to make the best of their -way to Mitylene, and cut off the blockading squadron.”</p> - -<p>“And you, sir?” asked Callias, “with which squadron -are you to be?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“I am to go to Mitylene, of course, after what that fellow -said, I could not ask to have the other duty; but I feel that -it is what I ought to be doing.”</p> - -<p>“Who is to have it, sir,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“No one, if you will believe it,” answered the admiral, -with an angry stamp of the foot. “I mean no one of -ourselves, of the Ten. They are all so anxious to follow up -the victory, as they put it, and make a great show of taking -Spartan ships, that they will not take the trouble. Theramenes -and Thrasybulus are to do it. I know that they -have been in command in former years and may be supposed -to be competent. Thrasybulus, too, is trustworthy; but -Theramenes—to put it plainly—is a scoundrel. You know -that I don’t care about politics; I am a plain sailor and -leave such things to others; but I say this, politics or no -politics, a man who turns against his friends is a scoundrel.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> -I don’t know what trick he is not capable of playing. Anyhow, -whether these two do the business ill or well, one of -the Ten ought to go. It would be better; and I am sure -trouble will come of our not going. Mind this is all in confidence. -You are never to breathe a word of it, till I give -you leave.”</p> - -<p>“And am I to go with you, sir?” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“No,” was the answer; “I forgot to tell you; the worry of -all this put it out of my mind. You are to take the despatch -to Athens.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> - -<p>“But the shipwrecked men”—exclaimed Callias.</p> - -<p>“We must obey orders.”</p> - -<p>An hour afterward Callias was on his way to Athens; the -storm had now increased to something like a gale. As -the waves came from the south it was impossible to take a -straight course for the point in view, lying as it -did almost due west. Few ships in those days could -keep a straight line with the wind on the quarter.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> -Indeed it was soon impossible to keep up any -sail at all, nor was it safe, even if the strength of the rowers -already wearied by the labors of the day, had permitted it -to keep the ship broadside to the waves. Nothing remained -but to put her about and drive before the wind, a sail being -now hoisted again and the rowers exerting themselves to -the utmost to avoid being “pooped” by the heavy waves. -Toward morning the wind moderated, but by that time the -<i>Swallow</i>, for that was the name of the despatch-boat which -had been told off for the service, had been driven as much -as fifty miles out of her course. This would not have been of -much consequence, but that the timber of the <i>Swallow</i> had -been so strained by her battle with the sea that she began to -leak inconveniently, if not dangerously. Her crew, too, -were now in urgent need of rest. Under ordinary circumstances, -Chios, which could be seen, as the day broke, about -ten miles on the right bow, would have afforded a con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>venient -shelter; but Chios was in the hands of the enemy. -The little island of Vara, lying some ten miles to the north-west, -was the only alternative. Here Callias, much against -his will, for he feared that his news would be anticipated, -was compelled to stop, the captains of the despatch-boat -refusing to proceed, until vessel and men were better able to -face the weather.</p> - -<p>As it turned out, the delay did no harm. In fact it was -the means of his reaching Athens with more speed and -safety than he might otherwise have done. A day indeed -was lost in doing such repairs as the imperfect resources of -the little island permitted, but on the morrow, Callias -set out again, and was groaning over the day that -had been lost, and the very little good that the clumsy -boat-builders had been able to do for him, when he found -himself being rapidly overhauled by a vessel which had not -long before hove in sight. Before noon he recognized the -cut of the disguised <i>Skylark</i>, and at once ran up a signal -which Hippocles whom he supposed to be on board would, -he knew, recognize. The signal was immediately answered, -and before another half-hour had passed the <i>Skylark</i> was -along-side. After a brief colloquy it was arranged that the -<i>Swallow</i> should make the best of her way to Samos, where -there was an arsenal in which she could be properly repaired -and that Callias with his dispatches should take his passage -to Athens in the yacht.</p> - -<p>Hippocles was acquainted with the general fact that the -Athenian fleet had won a great victory; but he knew no details, -and was eager to hear from the lips of one who had -taken a part in the action. And he had much that was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>teresting -to say to his young friend. The three weeks which -he had spent in Mitylene with the blockaded squadron had -not made him hopeful about the first issue of the war. He -had found that Conon was not hopeful, and Conon was as -able and intelligent an officer as Athens had in her service.</p> - -<p>“This has been a stupendous effort on the part of the -city,” he said, “and it has saved us for a time, but it can’t -be kept, and it can’t be repeated. Athens is like a gambler -reduced to his last stake. He wins it; very good. But then -he has to throw again; and as often as he throws, it is the -same—if he loses, he loses all. And, sooner or later, lose he -must. In the long run the chances are against us. We have -lost our <i>morale</i>. I saw a good deal of Conon’s men when I -was shut up, and I thought very badly of them; and he -thinks badly, too, I know. It is only a question of time. -Do you know,” he went on, sinking his voice to a whisper—“and -mark you, this is a thing that I should not venture -to say to anyone in the world but you—I am half inclined -to wish that we had been beaten in the last battle—that is, if -Callicratidas had lived. A noble fellow indeed! Do you -know that he let the Athenians whom he took at -Methymna go on their <i>parole</i>? Any one else would have -sold them for slaves.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Callias, who was a little staggered by his -friend’s view of affairs, “as your hero is drowned—mind -that I quite agree in what you say of him—perhaps it is -better that things have turned out as they have. And I -can’t believe that our chances are as bad as you make out. -Anyhow we are better off than when I saw you last.”</p> - -<p>“I hope so; I hope so;” said Hippocles in a despondent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -tone, “But they might have done better. For instance, -we have let the blockading squadron at Mitylene escape.”</p> - -<p>“How was that?” asked Callias. “Did you see nothing -of our fleet. It was to sail northward at once.”</p> - -<p>“No—I never saw or heard of it. Now listen to what happened. -On the day after the battle—though of course I knew -nothing of what happened—<i>two</i> despatch-boats came into the -harbor—so at least everyone thought—and the second had -wreaths on mast and stern, as if it had brought good news. -And Eteonicus—he was in command of the blockading squadron—was -good enough to send us a herald with the intelligence -that Callicratidas had won a great sea fight, and that the whole -of the Athenian fleet had been destroyed. Of course we did not -quite believe that, but if only a quarter of it was true, it was not -pleasant hearing. My old sailing master, who has as sharp -eyes as any man I know, said to me. ‘My belief, sir, is that it is -all nonsense about this great victory, and that the second boat -was only the first <i>dressed up</i>. I observed them both particularly, -and they were amazingly alike. In both the bow -sides oars were just a little behind the stroke, and one of the -oars, I noticed, was a new one, and not painted like the rest. -And why should the man take the trouble to tell us about -the victory as he calls it. If it is true, he has us safe, and -can cut us up at his leisure. No, sir, I don’t believe a word -of it.’ Well, I was not certain that the old man was right, -but I strongly suspected that he was. Anyhow I was so convinced -of it that I spent the whole night in getting ready; -and, sure enough, the next morning the blockading squadron -had slipped off, with nobody to hinder them.”</p> - -<p>“That was a very smart trick for a Spartan,” said Callias.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - -<small>THE NEWS AT ATHENS.</small></h2> - - -<p>The <i>Skylark</i> excelled herself in the display of her sailing -qualities. Thanks to this, Callias, in spite of the untoward -delays which had occurred on his journey, was the first to -bring intelligence of the victory to Athens. The news ran -like wild fire through the city, gathering, as may be supposed, -a vast number of imaginary details, as it passed from -mouth to mouth, and the assembly which was called by -proclamation for the next day, to hear the reading of the -despatches, was, considering the empty condition of the -city, most unusually crowded. No one who could crawl to -the market-place was absent, and all the entrances and approaches -were thronged by women, children, and slaves. -The first stress of fear had been relieved, for it was known -that a victory had been won; but there was still much room -for anxiety. The victory had not been gained without cost—no -victories ever were—and it was only too probable that -in this case the cost had been heavy. The despatch was -brief and formal. It told the numbers engaged, and the -order of formation, with the number of hostile vessels captured -or sunk. It mentioned the fact that there had been -losses on the side of the conquerors, and promised details -when there should have been time to ascertain the facts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the assembly had been dismissed, Callias was overwhelmed -with enquiries. To these he thought it well to -return very vague answers. The fact was that there was -much that he knew and much that he did not know. He -knew the name of more than one of the ships that had been -sunk or disabled. Two or three had been run down before -his eyes. About others he had information almost equally -certain. He could have told some of his questioners what -would have confirmed their worst fears. On the other hand -he could not give anything like a complete list of the losses. -Some enquirers he could reassure. He had seen or even -talked to their friends after the battle. All the admirals, he -knew, were safe. And steps, he was sure, had been taken -to rescue the shipwrecked crews. On the subject of Diomedon’s -fears he preserved absolute silence. If any disaster -had happened, it was only too sure to be heard of before -long.</p> - -<p>On the evening of the day of assembly a great banquet -was held in the Prytaneum, or Town-hall of Athens. Such a -banquet was always an interesting sight, and on this occasion -Callias, as he witnessed it for the first time, also saw -it to the very greatest advantage. All the public guests<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> -of the city that were not absent on active service or were not -positively hindered from coming by age or infirmity were -present. The ranks of these veterans were indeed sadly -thinned. The war had been curiously deadly to officers -high in command. The fatal expedition to Sicily had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> -swept off many of the most distinguished. Others had -fallen in the “little wars” in which Athens like all states -that have wide dominions had been perpetually involved. -One famous survivor of a generation that had long since -passed away was there, Myronides, the victor of Œnophyta. -The old man had been born in the Marathon year, and was -therefore now eighty-four. His life, it will be seen, embraced -with remarkable exactitude the period of the greatness of -Athens. The victory that had made him famous had been -won fifty-one years before, and had been, so to speak, the -“high water mark” of Athenian dominion.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> He had lived -to see almost its lowest ebb, though happily for himself as he -died before the year was out, he was spared from seeing the -absolute ruin of his country. Callias was distantly related -to him and was on terms of as close a friendship as the difference -of age permitted with his son Eteonicus, one of the -ablest and most patriotic statesmen of the time. After the -libation which was the usual signal for the wine drinking, -had been poured, the old man rose from his place, as his -habit was, and walked down the hall, touching our hero on -his shoulder as he passed.</p> - -<p>“Come,” he said, as Callias looked up, “if you can spare half -an hour from the wine cup to bear an old man company.”</p> - -<p>The young man immediately left his place and accompanied -the veteran to one of the small chambers leading -from the hall.</p> - -<p>“And now tell me all about it,” he said, when they were -seated.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - -<p>Callias gave him as full an account as he could of all that -he had seen during the campaign. Myronides plied him -with questions that showed an intelligence of unabated vigor. -The armament and sailing qualities of the ships, the <i>morale</i> -and <i>physique</i> of the crews, every detail, in fact, that concerned -the efficiency of the force that Athens had in the -field, were subjects of liveliest interest to the old man. -When he had heard all that his young kinsman had to say, -he heaved a deep sigh. “Ah! my dear boy,” he said, -“things have come to a pretty pass with Athens. As -an old soldier I know what some of the things that you tell -me mean better than you do yourself. We are near the beginning -of the end, and I can only hope that I shall be gone -when the end itself comes. I don’t mean that this is not a -great victory that Diomedon and the rest of them have won; -but it is a victory that will never be won again. In the -very nature of things it can not. Do you think that the -old men and boys that I won the day with at Œnophyta<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> -would have sufficed for a regular force, a force that the city -could rely on? Of course not. I could not even have -afforded to risk the chance if they had not had something -strong behind them. But now what is there? Old men -and boys, and nothing behind them. The slaves, you say? -Very good; they fought very well, I hear. And of course -they will get their freedom. Do you think that they will -fight as well again after they have got it? Why should -they? A man may as well die as be a slave, and so they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -might very well risk their lives to get free. But, once free, -why should they risk them again?”</p> - -<p>“What!” cried Callias, “not to keep the Spartans out of -Athens?”</p> - -<p>“You talk as an Athenian,” said the old man, “and they -are not Athenians. You and I, I allow, would sooner die -than see Spartans within the walls: but what would it matter -to them? They could eat and drink, buy and sell just as -comfortably whoever might be their masters. Yes, my -son; it is all over with a city that has to fall back on its -slaves. There is only one chance, and that is to make peace -<i>now</i>, before we lose all that we have gained. But what -chance is there of that? Is there any one who would even -dare to propose such a thing?”</p> - -<p>“You would, sir,” said the young man.</p> - -<p>“Yes, I might; but to what profit? I don’t suppose they -would do me any harm. ‘Poor old man!’ they would say, -‘he dotes.’ But as for listening to me—I know better than -that. Is there one of the responsible statesmen who would -venture to give such advice? Would my son Eteonicus -venture? Not he; and yet he is a sensible and honest young -man, and knows that I am right. But it would be -as much as his life, or, what he values more, his whole -career is worth, to hint at such thing. Oh! what opportunities -I have seen lost in this way. Unfortunately a victory -makes the Athenians quite impracticable.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> They do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>n’t -seem capable of realizing that the wheel is certain to take a -turn. But you have had enough of an old man’s croakings. -The gods grant that these things may turn out better than -my fears! And now give me your arm to the gate, where -my people will be waiting for me.”</p> - -<p>Callias conducted the old man to the door, and saw him -put safely into the litter which was waiting for him. He -then stood meditating how he should dispose of himself for -the rest of the evening. He was unwilling to return to the -banquet. Questions would be put to him, he knew, by -many of the guests to which it would be difficult either to -give or to refuse an answer. He would gladly, indeed, have -hidden himself altogether till the fuller despatches should -have arrived, which would relieve him of the necessity of -playing any longer the difficult part which had been imposed -upon him. His thoughts naturally turned to Hippocles -and Hermione, and he had already taken some steps -in the direction of the Peiraeus, when the thought occurred -to him that he was scarcely on terms of such intimacy with -the family as would warrant a visit at so late an hour. As -he stood irresolute, the door of a neighboring house opened, -and a party of four young men issued from it into the -street.</p> - -<p>“Ah!” cried one of them, “’tis the sober Callias. Seize -him, Glaucus and Eudaemon, and make him come with us.”</p> - -<p>The two men addressed ran up to our hero, and laid hold -each of an arm.</p> - -<p>“You are a prisoner of my spear,” said the first speaker, -whose name, I may say, was Ctesiphon, “and may as well -submit to your fate with as much grace as possible. You<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> -shall not suffer anything unendurable, and shall be released at -the proper time. Meanwhile you must join our expedition.”</p> - -<p>“I submit,” said Callias, willing, perhaps, to have the -question that had been puzzling him settled for him. “But -tell me, if I have to follow you, whither you are bound.”</p> - -<p>“We are going to the house of Euctemon, where there -will be something, I know, worth seeing and hearing.”</p> - -<p>“But I am a stranger,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“A stranger!” cried Ctesiphon, “you are no such thing. -The man who brings good news to Athens is the friend of -everybody. Besides Euctemon is my first cousin, and he -is always pleased to see my friends. You should have been -at his dinner, but that there was no room on his couches -for more guests. But now when the tables are removed<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> -we shall easily find places. But come along or we shall -lose something.”</p> - -<p>There was no want of heartiness in Euctemon’s greeting -to his new guests. To Callias he was especially polite, making -room for him on his own couch. When the new arrivals -were settled in their places, the host clapped his hands. A -white-haired freedman, who acted as major-domo, appeared.</p> - -<p>“We are ready for Stephanos,” said Euctemon.</p> - -<p>A few minutes afterwards a figure appeared, so curiously -like the traditional representations of Homer that every one -was startled. Stephanos was a rhapsodist, or professional -writer, and he had made it one of the aims of his life to imitate -as closely as he could the most distinguished member -that his profession could boast. In early life he had been a -school master, and an accident, if we may so describe a blow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> -from the staff of a haughty young aristocrat, whom he -had ventured to chastise, had deprived him of sight. His -professional education had included the knowledge of the -authors whom the Greeks looked upon as classics, Homer -holding the first place among them, and he was glad to -turn this knowledge to account, when he was no longer -able to teach. In this occupation too his blindness could be -utilized. It had its usual effect of strengthening the memory, -and it helped him to look the part, which, as has been -said, he aspired to play.</p> - -<p>The blind minstrel was guided to the seat which had been -reserved for him in the middle of the company by an attendant, -who also carried his harp.</p> - -<p>“What shall we have, gentlemen?” asked the host. -“You will hardly find anything worth learning that -Stephanos does not know.”</p> - -<p>The guests had various tastes, so various that it seemed -very difficult to make a choice. One wanted the story of -the Cyclops, another the tale as told by Demodocus to -Alcinous and the Phæacian princes, of the loves of Ares and -Aphrodite. A third, of a more sober turn of mind, called for one -of the didactic poems of Solon, and a fourth would have one -of the martial elegies with which the old Athenian bard Tyrtaeus -stirred, as was said, the spirits of the Spartan warriors.</p> - -<p>“Let Callias, the bringer of good news, name it,” said -Euctemon, after some dozen suggestions had been made.</p> - -<p>The proposal was received with a murmur of approval.</p> - -<p>The young man thought for a moment. Then a happy -idea struck him. About a year before there had occurred -an incident which had roused the deepest feeling in Athens.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -The aged Sophocles, accused by his son Iophon before a -court of his clansmen, of imbecility and incapacity for managing -his affairs, had recited as a sufficient vindication of -his powers, a noble chorus from a play which he was then -composing, the last and ripest fruit of his genius—the -“Œdipus in Colonus.” The verses had had a singular success, -as indeed they deserved to have, in catching the popular -fancy. They were exquisitely beautiful, and they were -full of patriotic pride. Every one had them on his lips; and -before they had time to grow hackneyed, the interest in -them had been revived by the death of the veteran poet -himself.</p> - -<p>“Let us have the ‘Praises of Athens’ by Sophocles the -son of Sophilus of Colonus.”</p> - -<p>The choice met with a shout of applause. The minstrel -played a brief prelude on his harp in the Dorian or martial -mood,<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> and then began:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p class="poem"> -“Swell the song of praise again;<br /> -Other boons demand my strain,<br /> -Other blessings we inherit,<br /> -Granted by the mighty spirit;<br /> -On the sea and on the shore,<br /> -Ours the bridle and the oar.<br /> -Son of Chronos old whose sway<br /> -Stormy winds and waves obey,<br /> -Thine be heaven’s well-earned meed,<br /> -Tamer of the champing steed;<br /> -First he wore on Attic plain<br /> -Bit of steel and curbing rein.<br /> -Oft too, o’er the water blue,<br /> -Athens strains thy laboring crew;<br /> -Practiced hands the barks are plying,<br /> -Oars are bending, spray is flying,<br /> -Sunny waves beneath them glancing.<br /> -Sportive myriads round them dancing,<br /> -With their hundred feet in motion,<br /> -Twinkling ’mid the foam of ocean.”<br /> -</p> - -<p>He concluded amidst thunders of applause, the reference -to the fleet being especially rewarded with a purse from the -host and a shower of gold pieces from the guests.</p> - -<p>Other recitations followed, not all, it must be confessed, in -so elevated a strain; each was produced with a few bars of -music appropriate to its character.</p> - -<p>The next entertainment was of a less intellectual kind. -Now dancers were introduced into the room by the trainer who -had taught them, and whose slaves in fact they were. The -man was a red-faced, bloated looking creature, who, however, -had been very active in his time, and could still display -a wonderful amount of agility when he was engaged -in teaching his pupils. The dancers were brother and -sister, twins, and curiously alike, though the boy was nearly -a half-head taller, and generally on a larger scale than the -girl. The performance commenced with a duet of the harps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> -and the flute. The harp, a small instrument not larger than -a violin was played by the boy, the flute by a female player, -who had come into the room along with the dancers. After a -while the harp became silent, the flute continuing to give -out a very marked measure. To this the girl began to dance, -whirling hoops into the air as she moved, and catching them -as they fell. Many were in the air at once, and the girl -neither made a single step out of time nor let a single hoop -fall to the ground.</p> - -<p>A more difficult and exciting performance followed. The -flute-player changed the character of her music. The Lydian -measure which had been admirably suited to the graceful steps -of the dance gave place to the swift Phrygian scale, wild and -fantastic music such as might move the devotees of Cybele -or Dionysus to the mysterious duties of their worship. At -the same time an attendant of the trainer brought in a -large hoop, studded round its inner circle with pointed -blades. The girl commenced to dance again with steps that -grew quicker and quicker with the music, till, as it reached -a climax of sound, she leapt through the hoop. The flute-player -paused for a moment, as the dancer turned to recover -her breath, her bosom rising and falling rapidly, and her -eyes flashing with excitement. Then the music and the -dance began again, with the same <i>crescendo</i> of sound and -motion, till the same culminating point was reached, and -the same perilous leap repeated.</p> - -<p>The spectators watched the scene with breathless interest; -but it was an exhibition that was scarcely suited to Greek -taste. A Greek could be even horribly cruel on occasions, -but a cruel spectacle—and spectacles that depend for their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -attraction on the danger to the performer are critically -cruel—offended their artistic taste. The company began to -feel a little uneasy, and Euctemon finally interrupted the -festival when after the second leap had been sucessfully -accomplished he signed to the flute-player to cease her -music.</p> - -<p>“Child,” he said to the dancer, “Aphrodite and the -graces would never forgive me, if you were to come to any -harm in my house. It is enough; you have shown us that -no one could be more skilful or more graceful than you.”</p> - -<p>The boy and girl now performed together in what was -called the Pyrrhic or war dance. Each carried a light -shield and spear, made of silvered tin. They represented -two warriors engaged in single combat. Each took in turn -the part of the assailant and the assailed, the one darting -forward the spear which had been carefully made incapable -of doing any harm, the other either receiving the blow upon -his shield or avoiding it with agile movements of the body.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> -The flute-player accompanied the dance with a very lovely -and spirited tune, while the company looked on with the -greatest admiration, so agile, so dexterous, and so invariably -graceful were the motions of the two dancers.</p> - -<p>When the boy and girl had retired, and while the guests -were again devoting themselves to the wine, Callias was accosted -by a neighbor with whose handsome features, characterized -as they were by a gravity not often seen in young -Athenians, he was familiar, though he did not happen ever -to have made his acquaintance.</p> - -<p>“I am about to retire,” said the stranger, “and if I may<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> -presume so far, I would recommend you to do the same. -Our host is hospitable and generous, and has other virtues -which I need not enumerate; but his entertainments are apt -to become after a certain hour in the night such as no -modest young man—and such from your face I judge you to -be—would willingly be present at. So far we have had an -excellent and blameless entertainment; but why not depart. -What say you?”</p> - -<p>“That I am ready to go with you,” answered Callias. -“My friend Ctesiphon brought me hither, and I know -nothing of our host except the report of his riches and -liberality.” “What! are you going?” cried the host, as the -two young men rose from their places. “Nay, but you are -losing the best part of the entertainment. It is but -a short time to the first watch when Lyricles will come -with his troop of dancers. He says that they are quite incomparable.”</p> - -<p>“Nay, sir,” said the young man who had spoken to -Callias, “you must excuse us.”</p> - -<p>“Ah!” cried one of the guests, a young dandy, whose -flushed face and flower-garland set awry on his forehead -seemed to show that he had been indulging too -freely in his host’s strong Chian wine, “’Tis old Silverside. -He pretends to be a young man; but I believe that he is -really older than my father. At least I know that the old -gentleman is far more lively. Come, Philip and Hermogenes,” -he went on addressing two of his neighbors, “don’t -let us permit our pleasant party to be broken up in this way.”</p> - -<p>The three revellers started up from their places, and were -ready to stop the departing guests by force. But the host,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -who was still sober, and was too much of a gentleman to -allow annoyances of the kind to be inflicted upon anyone in -his house, interfered.</p> - -<p>“Nay, gentlemen,” he cried, “I will put force on no man -for if our friends think that they can be better or more -pleasantly employed elsewhere, I can only wish them good -night, and thank them for so much of their company as -they have been pleased to bestow upon us.”</p> - -<p>The two, accordingly, made their escape without any -further interference.</p> - -<p>“Will you walk with me as far as my house,” said Callias’ -companion to him. “It lies in the Agræ.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> The night is -fine and I shall be glad of your company.”</p> - -<p>Callias cheerfully consented, and was glad that he had -done so, so witty and varied was his companions conversation.</p> - -<p>When they had reached their destination his new friend -invited him to enter. This he declined to do for the hour -was late, and he wished to be at home.</p> - -<p>“Well then,” said the other, “we can at least meet again. -This, you see, is my house, and my name is Xenophon, the -son of Gryllus.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /> - -<small>SOCRATES.</small></h2> - - -<p>Callias lost no time in cultivating the acquaintance of -his new friend. The very next day he called upon him at -as early an hour as etiquette permitted, and was lucky -enough to find him at home. He had lately returned, indeed, -from drilling with the troop of Knights to which he -belonged, and was just finishing his breakfast, which had -been delayed till his military duties had been performed.</p> - -<p>“Will you drink a cup to our new friendship—if you will -allow me to call it so?” said Xenophon, to the young man -as he entered the room.</p> - -<p>“Excuse me,” replied Callias, “if I decline.”</p> - -<p>“You are right,” said Xenophon, “this is one of the offers -which formality commands us to make—whether rightly or -wrongly, I cannot say—but which I always myself refuse, -and am glad to see refused by others. But what will you? -A game of koltabos, or a walk to the springs of the -Ilissus?”</p> - -<p>“Either,” replied Callias, “would be agreeable, but first now -I have set my heart on something else. You are a disciple of -Socrates, I am told. Can you manage that I may have the -privilege of hearing him? I have never had the chance of -doing so before.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Xenophon’s face brightened with pleasure when he heard -the request. “Excellent, my dear sir, you could not have -suggested anything that would have pleased me better. We -shall certainly be good friends. I always judge a man by -what he thinks of Socrates. You are ready, I know, to admire -and love him, and I offer you my friendship in advance. -Now let us go and find him. It will not be difficult, -for I know his ways pretty well. There is a sacrifice in the -Temple of Theseus, and he will probably be there. There is -no more diligent attendant at such functions, and yet the -fools and knaves say that he is an atheist. We shall catch -him just as he is leaving.”</p> - -<p>The subject of conversation between the two young men -as they walked along was naturally the character of this -philosopher whom they were about to see. Callias had -much to ask, and Xenophon had still more to tell.</p> - -<p>“As you are going to see this man for the first time,” -said the latter, “you will be interested in hearing how I first -came to make his acquaintance. It was about nine years -ago, very soon, I remember, after the first expedition sailed -for Syracuse. I had been hearing a course of lectures by -Prodicus of Ceos, who was then all the fashion in Athens, and -was hurrying home to be in time for the midday meal. -Socrates met us in a narrow alley, and put his staff across it to -bar the way. What a strange figure he was, I thought. I had -never seen him before, you must know; for we had been -living for some years on my father’s estate in Eubœa. -Certainly he looked more like a Silenus than an Apollo. -‘Well,’ my son, he said, looking at me with a smile that -made him look quite beautiful, ‘can you tell me where a -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -good tunic is to be bought?’ I thought it was an odd -question, though certainly he might want a tunic for himself, -for his own was exceedingly shabby. However I answered -it to the best of my ability. ‘And a good sword—where -may that be purchased?’ That I told him also as -well as I could. Some half-dozen more things he asked me -about, and I did my best to reply. At last he said, ‘Tell me -then, my son, since you know so well where so many good -things are to be procured, tell me where the true gentleman<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> -is to be found?’ That puzzled me exceedingly, and I could -only lift my eyebrows and shrug my shoulders. How could -I answer such a question? Then he said, ‘follow me my -son, and be taught.’ I never went near Prodicus again, you -may be sure. My father was somewhat vexed, for he had -paid a quarter of a talent as fee for the course of lectures. -However it did not cost him anything, for Socrates will -never take a fee. From that day to this I have never -missed an opportunity when I was not campaigning of hearing -him. But see there he is!”</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1024px;"> -<img src="images/i_093.jpg" width="1024" height="757" alt="THE TEMPLE OF THESEUS." title="" /> -<span class="caption">THE TEMPLE OF THESEUS.</span> -</div> - -<p>Socrates was standing in the open space in front of the -Temple of Poseidon, with the customary group of listeners -round him. As the two young men came up the discussion -which had been going on came to an end, and the philosopher -turned to greet the new comers. “Hail! Xenophon,” -he cried, “and you, too, sir, for the friends of Xenophon are -always welcome.” “You, sir,” he went on addressing Callias, -“are recently back from the war; now tell me this.” -And he asked questions which showed that military de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>tails -were perfectly well known to him, better known to -him in fact than they were to Callias himself. These questions -were becoming a little perplexing, for Socrates had an -inveterate habit of driving into a corner, it may be said, -every one with whom he conversed. Luckily for Callias, -another friend came up at the moment, and the great examiner’s -attention was diverted.</p> - -<p>“Ho! Aristarchus,” he cried to the new comer, “how -fare you?”</p> - -<p>“But poorly, Socrates,” was the reply. “Things are -going very ill with me.”</p> - -<p>“And indeed,” said the philosopher, “I thought that you -had a somewhat gloomy look. But tell me—what is your -trouble? Xenophon here is your kinsman, I know, and -you will not mind speaking before him, and he will answer -for the discretion of his friend. Or would you prefer that -we should go apart and talk, for to that too, I doubt not, -these two gentlemen will consent?”</p> - -<p>“Nay,” said the man who had been addressed as Aristarchus, -“I am not ashamed or unwilling to speak before -Xenophon and his friend Callias, in whom I have the -pleasure of recognizing a kinsman of my own. For that -from which I am suffering, though it troubles me, has -nothing shameful in it.”</p> - -<p>“Speak on then,” said Socrates, “and, perhaps, among us -we shall be able to find some remedy for your trouble. For surely -it is of some use to share a burden if it be too heavy for one.”</p> - -<p>“Listen then, Socrates,” said Aristarchus, “I have -been compelled for kindred’s sake to take into my -home not a few ladies, sisters, and nieces, and cousins,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -whose husbands or fathers, or other lawful protectors, have -either perished in the war, or have been banished. There -are fourteen of them in all. Now, as you know, nothing comes -in from my country estate, for who will farm that which at -any time the enemy may ravage? And from my houses in -the city there comes but very little, for how few are they -who are able to pay rent? And no business is being done -in the city, nor can I borrow any money. Verily there is -more chance of finding money in the street, than of borrowing. -O, Socrates, ’tis a grievous thing to see my own flesh -and blood perish of hunger, and yet, when things are as -they are, I cannot find food for so many.”</p> - -<p>“’Tis grievous indeed,” said Socrates. “But tell me—how -comes it to pass that Keramon feeds many persons in his -name, and yet can not only provide what is needful for himself -and his inmates, but has so much over that he -grows rich while you are afraid of perishing of hunger?”</p> - -<p>“Nay, Socrates, why ask such a question? The many -persons whom he so keeps are slaves, while the inmates of -my house are free.”</p> - -<p>“Which then, think you, are the worthier, your free persons, -or Keramon’s slaves?”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless my free persons.”</p> - -<p>“But, surely, it is a shame, that he having the less worthy -should prosper, and you with the more worthy, be in -poverty.”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless ’tis because his folk are artisans while mine -have been liberally educated.”</p> - -<p>“By artisans you mean such as know how to make useful -things.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“Certainly.”</p> - -<p>“Barley meal is a useful thing, for instance?”</p> - -<p>“Very much so.”</p> - -<p>“And bread?”</p> - -<p>“Very much so.”</p> - -<p>“And men’s and women’s cloaks, and short frocks, and -mantles, and vests?”</p> - -<p>“Very much so.”</p> - -<p>“But your folk don’t know how to make any of these -things. Is it so?”</p> - -<p>“Nay, but they know how to make them all.”</p> - -<p>“Do you not know then, how Nausicydes not only supports -himself and his household by making barley meal, -and has become so rich that he is often called upon to make -special contributions to the State<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> and how Corœlus, the -baker, lives in fine style on the profits of bread-making, and -Demias on mantle-making, and Menon on cloak-making, -and nearly every one in Megara on the making of vests?”</p> - -<p>“That is very true, Socrates. But all these buy barbarians -for slaves, and make them work; but my people are free by -birth and kinsfolk of my own.”</p> - -<p>“And because they are free and kinsfolk of yours must -they do nothing but eat and sleep? Do you suppose that -other free people are happier when they live in this indolent -fashion, or when they employ themselves in useful occupations? -What about your kinsfolk, my friend? At present -I take it, you do not love them, and they do not love you, -for you think them a great trouble and loss to you, and they -see that you feel them to be a burden. It is only too likely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -that all natural affection will turn under these circumstances -to positive dislike. But if you will put them in the way -of making their own livelihood, every thing will go right; -you will have a kindly feeling for them because they will be -helping you, and they will have as much regard for you, -because they will see that you are pleased with them. They -know, you say, how to do the things that are a woman’s -becoming work; don’t hesitate therefore to set them in the -way of doing it. I am sure that they will be glad enough to -follow.”</p> - -<p>“By all the gods, Socrates, you are right. I dare say I -could borrow a little money to set the thing going; but to -tell you the truth, I did not like to run into debt, when all -the money would simply be eaten. It is a different thing, -now that there will be a chance of paying it back, and I have -no doubt that there will be some way of managing it.”</p> - -<p>Just at this point a little boy came up with a message for -Socrates. “My mistress bids me say,” he cried in a somewhat -undertone, “that the dinner is waiting, and that you must -come at once.” “There are commands which all must -obey,” said the philosopher with a smile, “and this is one of -them. And indeed it would be ungrateful to the excellent -Xanthippe, if after hearing she has taken so much pains to -prepare one’s dinner, one was to refuse the very easy return -of eating it. Farewell, my friends.”</p> - -<p>And the philosopher went his way.</p> - -<p>To Callias the conversation which he had just heard was -peculiarly interesting, because the theory in his family was -that which was probably accepted in almost every upper -class house in Athens, that it was a disgrace for a free-born<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -woman to work for her living, and that all handicrafts, -even in those who constantly exercised them, were degrading -and lowering to the character. Xenophon already knew -what his master thought upon these points, but to his -younger friend this “gospel of work,” as it may be called, -was a positive revelation. He did not value it even when, -a few days later, he heard from Aristarchus that the experiment -had succeeded to admiration. “I only had to buy a -few pounds of wool,” he said; “the women are as happy as -queens, and I have not got to think all day and night, but -never find out, how to make both ends meet.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /> - -<small>THE MURDER OF THE GENERALS.</small></h2> - - -<p>All this time a gloom had been settling down over the -Athenian people. The official despatch, which, as giving -details of the loss in the late engagement, was so anxiously -expected, did not arrive; but quite enough information to -cause a very general anxiety came to hand in various ways. -Private letters from men serving with the fleet began to be -brought by merchantships; and not a few persons were -found who had talked or who professed to have talked with -sailors and marines who had taken part in the action. -These written and oral accounts were indeed far from being -consistent with each other. Some were obviously impossible; -more were presumably exaggerated. But they were all -agreed in one point. Not only had there been a serious loss -of ships and men during the battle, but this loss had been -grievously aggravated by the casualties that had taken -place after the battle. It was pretty clear, unless the whole -of these stories were fictitious, that the second loss had been -more fatal than the first.</p> - -<p>At last the long expected despatch arrived. It ran somewhat -in this fashion:</p> - -<p>“The victory which, by the favor of the gods and the -good fortune of the Athenian people, we lately won over the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -Spartans and their allies at the Islands of Arginusæ has -turned out to be no less important and beneficial to the -state than we had hoped it would be. The squadron of the -enemy that was blockading the harbor of Mitylene has disappeared: -nor indeed are any of his ships anywhere to be -seen. Our fleet, on the contrary, is stronger than it has -been for some years past; and we are daily receiving overtures -of friendship from cities that have hitherto been indifferent -or hostile. But this success has not been achieved -without loss. The late battle was long and obstinately contested, -and, as has been mentioned in a former despatch, -not a few of our ships were either disabled or sunk. We -did not neglect the duty of succoring the crews of the vessels -that had met with this ill-fortune, committing to officers -whom we knew to be competent, the task of giving such -help and assigning to them a sufficient number of ships. -At the same time we did not omit to make provision for a -pursuit of the enemy. But unluckily when the battle was -but just finished, a storm arose so severe that we could not -either rescue our friends or pursue our enemy. These then -escaped, and those, or the greater part of them perished, -having behaved as brave men toward their country. -Lists of those that have so died, so far as their names are -at present known, are sent herewith.”</p> - -<p>In this official communication, it will be seen, no blame -was laid on any person. The weather, and the weather -alone, was given as the cause of the disaster that had occurred. -But in their private communications with friends -at home the generals were not so reticent. They had commissioned, -they said, Theramenes and Thrasybulus to save<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> -the shipwrecked men. If all that was possible had not been -done to execute this commission it was they and they only -who were to be blamed. Such words, even if they are intended -only for the private reading of the people to whom -they are written, seldom fail sooner or later to get out. In -this case so many people were profoundly and personally -interested in the matter that they got out very soon. And, -of course, among the first persons whom they reached were -the two incriminated officers, Theramenes and Thrasybulus. -It was a charge, hinted at if not exactly made, which no -man would allow to be made against him without at least -an attempt to refute it. Theramenes, who had come back -on leave not many days after the battle, at once bestirred himself -in his own defense. He was an able speaker, all the -more able because he was utterly unscrupulous; and he had -a large following of personal friends and partisans. On -the present occasion he was reinforced by the many citizens -who had lost relatives or friends in the late engagement. -These were furious and not without some cause. What had -been at first represented as a great victory had at length -turned out to be as fatal as a great defeat. They loudly demanded -a victim. Somebody, they said, must be punished -for so scandalous, so deadly a neglect. Theramenes had -the advantage of being on the spot, and of being able to -guide these feelings in a way that suited his own personal -interests. “I was commissioned,” he said, “to do the -work; I do not deny it. But the charge was given me when -it was almost too late to execute it, and I hadn’t the proper -means at hand. I could not get hold of the ships that were -told off for this task, or of the crews who should have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -manned them. If one of the ten had come himself to help -me, things might have been different. As it was, the men -either could not be found, or refused to come. A subordinate -must not be blamed for failing in what ought to have been -undertaken by a chief in command.”</p> - -<p>These representations, in which, as has been seen, there -was a certain measure of truth, had a great effect. An assembly -was held to consider the contents of the second -despatch, and at this it was resolved, with scarcely an opposing -voice, that the generals should be recalled. They -were publicly thanked for the victory which they had won, -but they were suspended, at least for the present, in their -command, and successors were sent out to replace them. -Conon, as having been shut up at the time in Mitylene, and -being therefore manifestly clear of all blame in the matter, -was continued in office, and another of the ten had died. -Eight, therefore, were left to be affected by the decree. Of -these eight two determined not to run the risk of returning; -the other six sailed at once for home. Of these six Diomedon, -about whom something has been said already, was one.</p> - -<p>As soon as was practicable after their arrival at Athens, -an assembly was held and they were called upon for their -defence. The chief speaker against them was Theramenes. -His colleague, Thrasybulus, stood by apparently approving -by his presence the charge that was brought but not -opening his mouth. One man among the accused men might -have easily secured his own safety at the expense of his -colleagues. If Diomedon had stood up and recapitulated -the advice which he had given in the council held after the -battle; if he had affirmed what none of his fellows would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -have been able to deny, “I urged you to make the rescue of -the imperilled crews your first business, to use for it all the -means at your disposal, and to undertake it yourselves,” he -must have been triumphantly acquitted, but he was of too -generous a temper thus to save himself. He chose to stand -or fall with his fellows. All, accordingly, put forward the -same defence, and it was in substance this: “We did what -seemed best in our judgment. We detailed for the duty of -saving the crews what we considered to be an adequate -force, and put over it men whom we knew to be competent. -If Theramenes accuses us, we do not accuse him. We believe -that he was hindered from doing the duty intrusted to -him by the storm, and that if he had had double the number -of ships, even the whole fleet, at his disposal, he would -have been no less powerless to give the shipwrecked men -any effectual help.”</p> - -<p>There was a sincerity of tone about their defense which -was just the thing to win favor of such an audience as the -Athenian assembly. There were murmurs indeed. The -friends and kinsfolk of the drowned men could not endure -to think that no one would be punished for what they believed -to be a shameful neglect. But the general applause -drowned the dissenting voices, and the friends of the accused -began to hope that they were safe. If there had been -only a few more minutes of daylight, such might have been -the result. A show of hands was taken by the presiding magistrate, -and it was believed to be in favor of the accused, but -it was too dark to count; no regular decision could be made; -and the matter had to be adjourned to another meeting of -the assembly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - -<p>But now came another change in the impulsive, passionate -temper of the people. The next day or the next day -but one was the first of the great family festival of Athens, -the Apaturia, a celebration something like the Christmas -Day or the New Year’s Day of the modern world. It was -one of the most cherished, as it was one of the most ancient -of the national festivals. All the great Ionic race, with -scarcely an exception, kept it, and had kept it from times -running back far beyond history. The family annals were -now, so to speak, made up, and consecrated by a solemn association -with the past. If a marriage had been celebrated -in the family during the year it was now formally registered; -if a son of the house had reached his majority his name -was now entered upon the roll. These formalities were -duly marked by customary sacrificing and sacrifices were -accompanied, as always in the ancient world, by festivities. -But family festivities are apt, as most of us know only too -well, to be marred by melancholy associations. It is delightful -to greet those that remain, but what of those who are gone? -And so it had been year after year, since the day when -Athens embarked on the fatal war which for nearly thirty -years drained her resources. So it was, in a special way, in -the year of which I am writing. The men whom Athens -had lost were not hired servants but sons. Every one, the -slaves only excepted, left an empty place in some family -gathering. And now for the first time the city realized the -greatness of her loss. The numbers had been known before; -but numbers, however startling, do not impress the mind -like visible facts, and now the visible facts were before the -eyes of all. The streets were filled with men and women in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -mourning garb, for the families which had suffered individually -assumed it. It seemed as if almost every passer by -had lost a kinsman. There could scarcely have been any -such proportion of mourners, but any uniform garb renders -the impression of being much more numerously worn than -is really the case.</p> - -<p>And there can be but little doubt that the demonstration -was purposely exaggerated. For now came in the sinister influence -of political strife, which since the oligarchical -revolution of five years before had grown more than ever -bitter and intense. The accused leaders belonged to the -party of moderate aristocrats; a party loyal to the democratic -constitution of Athens, but disposed to interpret its -provisions in a conservative sense. The oligarchy hated -them, and Theramenes had been an oligarchical conspirator -before, and was about to be again. And the extremists -on the other side hated them. Between the two a plot was -concocted. Men who had no kinsfolk among the lost -soldiers and sailors were bribed or otherwise persuaded to -behave as if they had,<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> to come into the streets with black -clothes and shaven heads, and to swell the numbers of the -mourners, thus increasing the popular excitement.</p> - -<p>Strangely enough it was the senate, the upper chamber of -the Athenian constitution that first gave this excitement an -expression. At the first meeting after the festival, Callixenus, -a creature of Theramenes—the man himself was probably -too notorious to take an active part—proposed a resolution -which ran as follows:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - -<p>“For as much as both the parties in this case, to wit, the -prosecutor, on the one hand, and the accused, on the other -were heard in the late assembly, it seems good to us that -the Athenian people now vote on the matter by their tribes, -there being provided for each tribe two urns, and that the -public crier make proclamation as follows in the hearing of -each tribe: ‘Let every one who finds the generals guilty of -not rescuing the heroes of the late sea fight deposit his -vote in Urn No. 1. Let him who is of the contrary opinion -deposit his vote in Urn No. 2.’ Furthermore it seems good -to us, that, if the aforesaid generals be found guilty, death -should be the penalty; that they should be handed over to -the Eleven,<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> and their property confiscated to the state, excepting -a tenth part, which falls to the goddess [Athene].”</p> - -<p>The Senate passed this resolution, though there was a -strong minority that protested against it. The assembly -was held next day, and Callixenus came forward again and -proposed his resolution as having received the senate’s -sanction.</p> - -<p>It was received with a roar of approval from the majority. -But there were some honest men who were not inclined to sanction -a proceeding so grossly illegal, for such indeed it was. One -of them, Euryptolemus by name, rose in his place, and spoke:</p> - -<p>“There is an enactment which for many years has been -observed by the people of Athens for the due protection -of persons accused of crime. By this enactment it is -provided that every person so accused shall be tried -separately, and shall have proper time allowed him for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -preparation of his defence. Seeing then that the resolution -just proposed to the assembly contravenes this enactment by -providing that the accused persons should be tried altogether -and without such allowance of due time, I hereby give -notice that I shall indict Callixenus its proposer for unconstitutional -action.”</p> - -<p>A tremendous uproar followed the utterance of these -words. “Who shall hinder us from avenging the dead?” -cried one man. “Shall this pedant with his indictment -stand between the Athenian people and their desire to do -justice?” shouted another. But the excitement rose to its -height when a man clad as a mariner forced his way -through the crowded meeting, and struggled by the help of -his companions into the <i>Bema</i>, the platform or hustings -of the place of assembly.</p> - -<p>It was a strange figure to stand in that place from which -some of the famous orators and statesmen of the world had -addressed their countrymen. He was evidently of the lowest -rank. His dress was ragged and soiled. His voice, when -he spoke, was rough and uncultured. Yet not Pericles himself -who so often speaking from that place</p> - -<p class="center"> -“Had swayed at will that fierce democracy,”<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noidt">ever spoke with more effect.</p> - -<p>“Men of Athens,” he cried, “I was on the <i>Cheiron</i>. I was -run down by a Corinthian ship just before the battle came -to an end. The <i>Cheiron</i> sank immediately; I went down -with her, but managed to get free, and came up again to the -surface of the water. I saw a meal-tub floating by me, and -caught hold of it. Some ten or twelve men were near me. -They kept themselves up for a time by swimming, but sank<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -one by one. I spoke to several of them, and bade them -keep up their spirits, because the admirals would be sure to -rescue us. No help came. At last only one was left. He -was my brother-in-law. I made him lay hold of the other -side of the meal-tub; but it was not big enough to keep us -both up. He let go of it again. He said to me ‘Agathon’—that -is my name—‘you have a wife and children; I am -alone. Bid them remember me; and tell the men of Athens -that we have done our best in fighting for our country, and -that the admirals have left us to perish.’”</p> - -<p>Was the man telling the truth, or was he one of those historic -liars that have made themselves famous or infamous -for all time by the magnitude of the fictions that they have -invented just at the critical time when men were most -ready to accept them.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a></p> - -<p>Whether it was true or false, the story roused the people -to absolute fury. Thousands stood up in their places and -shook their fists at the accused, and at the orators who had -spoken in their favor, while they screamed at the top of their -voices, “Death to the generals! death to the murderers!”</p> - -<p>A momentary silence fell upon the excited crowd when -a well-known orator of the intense democratic party threw -himself into the hustings.</p> - -<p>“I propose that the names of Euryptolemus and of all -those who have given notice of the indicting Callixenus be -added to the names of the accused generals, and be voted -upon in the same way for life and death.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> - -<p>The speaker added no arguments; and the roars of approval -that went up from the assembly showed sufficiently that -no arguments were needed. The advocates of constitutional -practice were cowed. It was only too plain that to persist -would surely be to meet themselves the fate of the accused. -Euryptolemus was a brave man, and as we shall -soon see, did not intend to desert his friends; but for the -present he gave way. “I withdraw my notice,” he cried, -reflecting doubtless that he could renew it when the people -should become more ready to listen to reason and justice. -But there was still another constitutional bulwark to be -thrown down. The presiding magistrates refused to put -the motion to the assembly. Their chief (or chairman as we -should call him) rose in his place. He was pale and agitated, -and his voice could not be heard beyond the benches -nearest to him when he said, “The motion of Callixenus is -against the laws, and we cannot put it to the assembly.”</p> - -<p>“They refuse! they refuse!” was the cry that went from -mouth to mouth. Again the rage of the multitude rose to -boiling point, and again the popular orator saw his opportunity.</p> - -<p>“I propose,” he said, appearing again in the hustings, -“that the names of the presiding magistrates be added to -those of the accused in the voting for life and death.”</p> - -<p>A shout of approval more vehement than ever greeted this -announcement. Once more the policy of concession, or -shall we say of cowardice prevailed. The magistrates conversed -a few moments in hurried whispers, and then advanced -to the railings in front of their seats. It was immediately -seen that they had yielded, and loud applause followed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -“Hail to the popular magistrates! Hail to the friends of -the people!” was the universal cry. But one was still -sitting in his place. His colleagues turned back to bring -him. They talked, they gesticulated, they laid hold of -him by the arms; they were trying to force him out of his -seat. He heeded them not; to all persuasion he returned -the same answer: “I am set to administer the laws, and -will do nothing that is contrary to them.” The most of the -house could, of course, hear nothing of what was being said; -but they could see plainly what had happened. “Socrates -refuses! Socrates refuses!” was now the cry, followed by -shouts of “Death to Socrates!” “Death to the blasphemer! -death to the atheist!”</p> - -<p>The philosopher sat unmoved, and his colleagues made no -further attempt to persuade him. They took what was, -perhaps, the only possible course under the circumstances—for -they had not all the martyr-like temper of Socrates—and -put the question without him. It was carried by a -large majority.</p> - -<p>The presiding magistrate, having announced the result of -the vote, went on: “Seeing that it has seemed good to the -Athenian people to try the generals accused of negligence in -saving the lives of citizens, the said generals are hereby put -upon their trial. If they, or any citizen on their behalf, -wish to address the assembly, let them or him speak.”</p> - -<p>It might have been thought that the furious crowd which -had been ready to overpower with violence the advocates of -constitutional practice would have howled down any who -dared to advocate so unpopular a cause. But it was not -so. The majority, having swept away, as they thought,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -the trammels of technicality, in their eagerness for justice, -had no wish to disregard justice by refusing a hearing to -persons on their defense. Whatever the faults of the Athenian -democracy, it was at least ready to hear both sides. -When therefore Euryptolemus rose to address the assembly -on behalf of the generals, an instantaneous silence followed; -nor was he interrupted during the delivery of his -speech except, it may be, by occasional murmurs of approval. -He spoke as follows:</p> - -<p>“Men of Athens, I have three things to do now that I address -you. First, I have to blame in some degree my dear -friend and kinsman Pericles, and my friend Diomedon; -second, I have to plead somewhat on their behalf; third, I -have to give you such advice as will in my judgment best -advantage Athens. I blame them because they, through -their generous temper, have taken upon themselves the -fault which, if it exists, lies upon others. For indeed what -happened after the battle was this: Diomedon advised that -the whole fleet should proceed to the relief of the disabled -ships and their crews. Herasinides counselled that the -whole fleet should be sent in pursuit of the enemy. -Meranylus declared that both duties might be discharged -together, part being sent against the enemy, and part to -help the shipwrecked men. And this last course was actually -taken. Forty-seven ships were told off for this duty. -Three, that is, from each of the eight divisions, ten belong to -private captains, ten that were from Samos, and three -that belonged to the commander-in-chief. And three ships -were committed to the charge of Thrasybulus and Theramenes, -the very men who now bring these charges against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -the accused. Yet these men I do not even now, on behalf of -the generals, myself accuse. I allow that the violence of -the storm prevented them from executing this order which -had been given them.</p> - -<p>“So far then, men of Athens, do I blame the accused, and -I do plead for them. And now let me venture to give you -some advice. Give these men time, if it be but one day -only, to make their defence. You know that there is yet a -form of law by which it is enacted: ‘If any person hath -aggrieved the people of Athens, he shall be imprisoned and -brought to a trial before the people; and in case he be convicted, -he shall be put to death and thrown into the pit, his -goods and chattels to be confiscated to the state, reserving a -tenth part for the goddess.’ By this law try the accused. -Give to each a separate day and try them in due -order. So will you judge them according to the law, and -not seem, as verily you will seem if you adopt the resolution of -Callixenus, to be allies of the Lacedæmonians, by putting -to death the very men who have taken twenty of their ships.</p> - -<p>“Why indeed are you in such vehement haste? Are you -afraid to lose your hold of life and death? That right no -one doubts or threatens. Should you not rather be afraid -lest you put an innocent man to death? One man do I say, -nay many innocent men? And lest, afterwards repenting -of your deed, you shall reflect how ill and unjustly you -have acted? Forbid it, ye gods, that the Athenians should do -any such thing. Take care, therefore, I implore you, that -you, being successful, do not act as they often act, who are -on the brink of despair and ruin. Only those who are -without hope insult the gods; yet somehow you will insult<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -them, if instead of submitting to them on points that are -subject to their will alone, you condemn those men who failed -because it was the pleasure of the gods that they should -fail. You would do more justly if you honor these men with -crowns of victory rather than visit them with this punishment -of death.”</p> - -<p>A visible effect was produced by this speech. That the -republic should put to death its successful generals almost -in the moment of victory seemed to many to be the very -height of folly, even of impiety. The gods had favored -these men. To lay hands upon them would be an insult to -heaven. But supposing they had erred, would it be well -for the state to deprive itself of the services of its most skillful -servants? This seemed the common sense view. The -question was: would it prevail against the sticklers for -law, those who were hardened by the sense of personal -loss, and the unscrupulous partisans who were ready to -seize any pretext for destroying political opponents? The -voters filed past the balloting urns, and dropped their -votes as they passed. No one could guess what the result -would be, for no one could watch more than one of the ten -pairs of urns—a pair to each tribe—which were placed to receive -the suffrages. The process took no little time, and -then when it was finished, there was the counting, also a -long and tedious process. It was almost dark when the -tables were finished.</p> - -<p>In the midst of a profound silence the presiding magistrate -stood up. It was now dark, and his figure was thrown -into striking relief by the lamps with the help of which the -votes had been counted. He read the numbers from a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> -small slip of paper.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> “There have voted,” he said, “for -condemnation 3254, for acquittal 3102.”</p> - -<p>The sensation produced by the announcement was intense. -Not a few who had voted ‘guilty’ already half repented -of what they had done. Indeed the reaction which -ended in the banishment and ultimately the death by starvation -of the author of the proposal may be said to have -begun at that moment. The general excitement rose to a -still higher pitch when the officers of the Eleven, the -magistrates to whose custody condemned criminals were -handed, were seen making their way, lighted by slaves -holding torches, to the place where the accused were sitting. -There was not one of the six whose features were not familiar -to many in the assembly. More than one had tendered -distinguished service to Athens; and one, Pericles, son of -the great statesman by Aspasia, bore a name which no -Athenian could pronounce without some emotion of pride -and gratitude. It so happened that it was he on whom the -officers laid hands. Something like a groan went up from -the crowd; but it was too late to undo what they had done, -and it was too early for the repentance that had already -begun to work to have any practical effect. The six were -led off to immediate execution.</p> - -<p>Callias anxious to say a few words of farewell to his -friend and kinsman Diomedon had hurried round, as soon -as he heard the announcement of the numbers, to the door -by which he knew the condemned would be taken from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -place of assembly. The president of the Eleven who was -conducting the matter in person, as became an occasion so -important, allowed a brief interview.</p> - -<p>The young man was so overcome with grief that he could -only throw himself into the arms of his friend and cling to -him in speechless agony. Diomedon, on the contrary, was -perfectly calm and collected. “My son,” he said, “this -has ended as badly as I thought that it would—you will remember -what I said to you after the battle. For myself, -this that I am about to suffer is scarcely a thing to be lamented. -It is hard indeed to have such a return for my services -to Athens; and I would gladly have served her again. It -has not so seemed good to the Athenians. Let it be so. I -am delivered from trouble to come. I would not have fled -from them willingly, but if my countrymen compel me, -why should I complain? That at least Socrates has taught -me not to do. And this day has at least brought this good, -that no one can doubt hereafter that he believes what he -says. For you, my son, I have but one word. Do not -despair of your country. A grateful child pays his dues -of nurture even to an impassive mother. And now farewell!”</p> - -<p>An hour afterwards he and his colleagues were lying -mangled corpses at the bottom of the pit.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /> - -<small>RESCUED.</small></h2> - - -<p>The execution of the generals was a blow of such severity -that Callias was absolutely prostrated by it. As a patriotic -Athenian he felt overwhelmed both with shame and with -despair. That his country should be capable of such ingratitude -and folly, should allow private revenge or party spite -to deprive her of the generals who could lead her troops to -victory made it impossible to hope. The end must be near, -for the gods must have smitten her with the madness -which they send upon those whom they are determined to -destroy. And then he had loved Diomedon almost as a son -loves a father. Left an orphan at an early age he had found -in this kinsman an affectionate and loyal guardian; and he -had made his first acquaintance with war under his auspices. -He had in him a friend whom he felt it would be -quite impossible to replace.</p> - -<p>For some days Callias remained in strict seclusion at -home, refusing all visitors, and, in fact, seeing no one, except -the aged house-steward, who had been now the faithful -servant and friend of three generations of his family. -Even when Hippocles himself, on the fifth day after the -disastrous meeting of the assembly, sent in an urgent request -that he might be allowed to see him, the steward was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> -directed to meet him with the same refusal. The old man -contrary to his custom of prompt and unhesitating obedience, -lingered in the room after he had received this answer, -and was obviously anxious to speak. “Well! Lycides,” -said the young man, his attention attracted even in the -midst of his preoccupation by this unusual circumstance, -“What is it? What do you want?”</p> - -<p>“It would be well, sir,” replied the man, “if you would -see the worthy Hippocles. He declares that the affair of -which he is come is one of the very highest importance.”</p> - -<p>Callias simply shook his head.</p> - -<p>The steward began again, “Oh! sir—”</p> - -<p>Callius interrupted him. “You are an old man, and a -friend whom my father and my grandfather trusted, and I -would not say a harsh word to you. But if you will not -leave the room, I must.”</p> - -<p>The old man’s eyes filled with tears. He had never heard -his young master speak in such a tone before. Still he -would not go, without making another effort.</p> - -<p>He rapidly advanced to where his master was sitting, his -face buried in his hands, and throwing himself on the -ground, caught the young man by the knees.</p> - -<p>“Listen, sir,” he cried, “I implore you, by the gods, and -by the memory of your father and your grandfather, who -both died in my arms.”</p> - -<p>“Speak on,” cried Callias. “It seems I am not my own -master any longer.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! sir,” the old man continued, “your liberty, your -life is in danger.”</p> - -<p>These words, uttered as they were in a tone of conviction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -that could not be mistaken, startled the young man out of -the indifference which his profound depression had hardened.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” he cried.</p> - -<p>“I have known it since yesterday at noon,” the steward -replied, “and have been anxiously thinking over with myself -how I could best make it known to you. And now -Hippocles has come to say the same thing. For the sake of -all the gods, trust and listen to what he has to tell you.”</p> - -<p>“Bring him in, if you will have it so,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>Hippocles came into the room with outstretched hands -and caught the young man in a close embrace. The -warmth and tenderness of this greeting had the happiest -result. Callias was moved from the stupor of grief which -had overwhelmed him. Bowing his head on his friend’s -shoulder, he burst into a passion of tears,—for tears were a -relief which the most heroic souls of the ancient world did -not refuse to themselves. His friend allowed his feelings to -express themselves without restraint, and then as the violence -of the young man’s emotion began to subside, he put -in a few words, instinct with heartfelt sympathy, about -the friend whom they had lost. Thus, with his usual -tact, he waited for Callias himself to open the subject in -which he now felt sure his interest had been aroused. It -was soon after that the young man asked: “What is this -that old Lycides has been saying about my liberty and -life being in danger? He has known it, he says, since yesterday, -and you know it too. What can he mean?”</p> - -<p>“He is quite right,” replied Hippocles. “He knows -something and I know something. Now listen. Your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> -parting with Diomedon was observed. The men who -murdered him—and by all the gods! there never was a -fouler murder done in Athens—cannot but look for vengeance -to come upon them. To avoid it or to postpone it they -will stick at nothing. No near friend or relative of their -victims is safe. I know—for I have friends in places you -would not think—mark you, I <i>know</i> that your name is -among those who will be accused in the next assembly.”</p> - -<p>“Accused,” cried Callias, “accused of what? Of being -bound by kindred and affection to one of the noblest of men. -By heavens! let them accuse me. I should glory to stand -and defend myself on such a charge. If I could only tell that -villain Theramenes what I think of him I should be afraid -of nothing.”</p> - -<p>“That is exactly what I thought you would say,” replied -Hippocles, “nor can I blame you. But have patience. -Theramenes will get his deserts if there are gods in heaven -and furies in hell. But have patience. Leave his punishment -to them. But meanwhile don’t give him the chance of -burdening his soul with another crime.”</p> - -<p>“What would you have me do then?” asked Callias.</p> - -<p>“Fly from Athens,” replied his older friend.</p> - -<p>“What! fly, and leave these traitors and murderers to enjoy -their triumph! Not so; not if I were to die to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“My dear young friend, you will help your country, -which, in spite of all her faults, you wish, I presume, to -serve, and avenge your friends all the more surely if you will -yield to the necessities of the time.”</p> - -<p>“Don’t press me any further: it would be a dishonor to -me to leave Athens now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>The argument was continued for some time longer; but -Hippocles could not flatter himself with the idea that he -had made any impression. At last he seemed to abandon -the attempt.</p> - -<p>“Well,” he said, “a willful man must have his way. I -can only hope that you will never live to repent it. But -you will not refuse to come and see us—my daughter adds -her invitation to mine—you will not be so ungallant as to -refuse.”</p> - -<p>“No, I should not think of refusing,” said Callias. “You -have called me back to life. I thought that my heart would -have burnt with grief and rage. You can’t imagine what -your sympathy is to me.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Hippocles, “show your gratitude by dining -with us to-night.”</p> - -<p>Callias promised that he would, and accordingly at the -time appointed presented himself at the merchant’s house.</p> - -<p>After dinner the discussion was resumed. Hippocles and -Hermione urged all the arguments that they knew to persuade -the young man to think of his own safety, but they -urged in vain.</p> - -<p>“No!” said the young man, as he rose to take his leave, -“no, I thank you for your care for me, but your advice I -may not follow. I refuse to believe that the Athenian people -can keep the the base and ungrateful temper which they -showed the other day. It was the madness of an hour, and -they must have repented of it long ago. If they have not, -then an honest man who happens to be born into this -citizenship had best die. Athens is no place for him. Anyhow, -I shall try, at the very next assembly, unless I can get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -some other and abler man than I am to do it for me, to -indict Callixenus for unconstitutional practices. Did I pass -by this occasion of vengeance, the blood of Diomedon and -his brave colleagues might well cry out of the ground -against me.”</p> - -<p>Several days passed without any disturbing incident. -Callias had warnings indeed. Mysterious letters were -brought to him, bidding him beware of dangers that were -imminent; more than one stranger who found him in the -streets let fall, it seemed by the merest accident, words that -could not but be meant to give a warning; friends spoke -openly to the same effect; but the young man remained unmoved. -At the table of Hippocles, where he was a frequent -guest, the subject was dropped. It seemed to be conceded -by common consent that Callias was to have his own way.</p> - -<p>He was returning to his home in the upper city from the -Piraeus on a dark and stormy night, picking his way under -the shelter of one of the Long Walls<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> when he felt himself -suddenly seized from behind. So suddenly and so skilfully -made was the attack that in an instant the young man, -though sufficiently active and vigorous, was reduced to absolute -helplessness. His arms were fastened to his side; his -legs pinioned; his eyes blindfolded, and a gag thrust into -his mouth. All this was done without any unnecessary -violence, but with a firmness that made resistance impossible. -The young man then felt himself lifted on to some -conveyance which had been waiting, it seemed, in the neighborhood, -and driven rapidly in a northerly direction. So<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -much the prisoner could guess from feeling the wind which -he knew had been coming from the east, blowing upon his -right cheek. After being driven rapidly for a few minutes -the gag was removed with an apology for the necessity -that had compelled its use. The journey was continued -with unabated and even increased rapidity, the lash, as -Callias’ ear told him, being freely used to urge the animals -to their full speed. Before long the sound of the waves -breaking upon the shore could be distinctly heard above the -clatter of the horses’ hoofs and the grinding of the chariot -wheels upon the road. Then came a stoppage. The prisoner -was lifted from his seat and put on board what he guessed -to be a small boat. He felt that this was pushed out from the -land, that it began by making fair progress, and that not -long after starting, when it had passed, as he conjectured -beyond the shelter of some bay or promontory, it began to -meet bad weather. The waves were breaking, it was easy -to tell, over the boat, in which the water was rising in spite -of the efforts of the men who were busy bailing to keep it -under. It was time for our hero to speak; so busy were the -sailors in struggling with their difficulties, that they might -easily have forgotten their prisoner, and let him go to the -bottom like a stone.</p> - -<p>“Friends,” he cried, “you had best let me help you and -myself.”</p> - -<p>“By Poseidon! I had forgotten him,” he heard one of -the men cry. “If he drowns there will be no profit to us -in floating.” A consultation carried on in low, rapid whispers -followed. It ended in the prisoner’s bonds being severed, -and the bandage being removed from his eyes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the situation became visible to the young Athenian -it was certainly far from encouraging. The boat was low -in the water, and was getting lower. It was evident that it -could not live more than a few minutes more. The night -was dark, and the sea so high that even the most expert -swimmer could not expect to survive very long. The only -hope seemed to lie in the chance of being blown ashore. -But obviously the first thing to be done was to prepare for a -swim. Callias, accordingly, threw off his upper garment -and untied his sandals. This done he waited for the end.</p> - -<p>It was not long in coming. The boat was too low in the -water to rise to the waves, and one of unusual size now -broke over and swamped it, immersing the crew, who numbered -nine persons including Callias. Happily they were -good swimmers, and if speedy help were to come, might -hope to escape. And, luckily, help was nearer than any of -them had hoped. A light became visible in the darkness; -and the swimmers shouted in concert to let the new comers -know of their whereabouts. An answering shout came from -the galley, for as may be supposed, it was a galley that carried -the light. “Be of good cheer,” shouted a voice which -Callias thought that he recognized. The swimmers -shouted in answer, and felt new hope and new life infused -into them. But the rescue was no easy task. Each man in -turn had to fasten under his armpits a rope with a noose at -the end which was thrown to him, and was then drawn -up the side of the galley. This took time. Some of the men -found it hard to do their part of the work, and so delayed -the rescue of the others. By the time that Callias was -reached, and he was the last of the nine, he was almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> -beyond the reach of help. By one supreme effort, however, -he managed to slip the rope about him. As he was -dragged on to the deck the last conscious impression that he -had—and so strange was it that he thought it must be a -dream—was the face of Hermione bent over him with an expression -of intense anxiety.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br /> - -<small>THE VOYAGE OF THE SKYLARK.</small></h2> - - -<p>It was not long before Callias recovered his consciousness; -but he was so worn out by excitement and fatigue, coming -as they did after the exhausting emotions through which he -had passed since the death of the generals, that he found it -impossible to rouse himself to any exertion. The yacht, -which as my readers will have guessed was that excellent -sea-boat the <i>Skylark</i>, had never been in any danger, though -she had had to be very skillfully handled while she was engaged -in picking up the swimmers. This task accomplished, -her head was put northward, and before very long she had -gained the shelter of Eubœa. Callias guessed as much when -he found that she ceased to roll, and gladly resigned himself -to the slumber against which he had hitherto done his best -to struggle. He slept late into the morning; indeed it -wanted only an hour of noon when at last he opened his -eyes. The first object that they fell upon was the figure of -Hippocles, who was sitting by the side of his berth.</p> - -<p>“Then it was not a dream,” said the young man. “I -thought I saw your daughter on board last night, but could -not believe my eyes.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, she is on board,” said Hippocles, with a slight -smile playing about the corners of his mouth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<p>“But tell me what it all means. I was seized in the streets -of Athens, pinioned, blindfolded, and gagged. I was carried -off I know not where, thrown into a boat, as nearly as -possible drowned, and now, when I come to myself, I see -you. Surely I have a right to ask what it means.”</p> - -<p>“My dear Callias,” replied Hippocles, “I have always -tried to be your friend, as it was my priviledge to be your -father’s before you. You will allow so much?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” said the young man. “I shall never forget -how much I owe you.”</p> - -<p>“Well, then, trust me for an hour. I will not ask you to -do anything more. If you are not fully satisfied then, I -will make you any redress that you may demand. I know -that you have a right to ask for it. I know,” he added with -an air of proud humility that sat very well upon him, “that -Hippocles the Alien is asking a great favor when he makes -such a request of Callias the Eupatrid,<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> but believe me I do -not ask it without a reason.”</p> - -<p>The young Athenian could do nothing else than consent -to a request so reasonable. Some irritation he felt, for there -was no doubt in his mind that Hippocles had had something -to do with the violence to which he had been subjected. -The intention, however, had been manifestly friendly, -and there might be something to tell which would -change annoyance into gratitude.</p> - -<p>A sailor now brought him some refreshment, and when this -had been disposed of, another furnished him with some -clothing. His own, it will be remembered, he had thrown<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -away, when preparing to swim for his life. His toilet completed, -he came up on deck and found Hippocles and his -daughter seated near the stern. Both rose to greet him. He -could not fail to observe that Hermione was pale and agitated. -The frank friendliness of her old manner, which, -blended as it had been with a perfect maidenly modesty, -had been inexpressibly charming, had disappeared. She -was now timid and hesitating. She could not lift her eyes -when she acknowleged his greeting. He could even see that -she trembled.</p> - -<p>The young man stood astonished and perplexed. What -was this strange reserve of which he had never before seen a -trace? Was there anything in himself that had caused it? -Had he—so he asked himself, being a modest young fellow -and ready to lay the blame on his own shoulders—had he -given any offence?</p> - -<p>“Tell him the story, father,” she said, after an anxious -pause during which her agitation manifestly increased, -“tell him the story. I feel that I cannot speak.”</p> - -<p>“My little girl has a confession to make. In a word, it is -her doing that you are here to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Her doing that I am here to-day,” echoed Callias, his -astonishment giving a certain harshness to his voice.</p> - -<p>The girl burst into tears. Callias stepped forward, and -would have caught her hand. She drew back.</p> - -<p>“Tell him, father, tell him all,” she whispered again in -an agitated voice.</p> - -<p>“Well then,” said her father, “if I must confess your -misdeeds, I will speak. You know,” he went on addressing -himself to the young Athenian, “you know how we vainly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -sought to persuade you to leave Athens. I had a better and -stronger reason for speaking as I did than I could tell you. -From private information, the source of which I could not -divulge, if you had asked it, as you probably would have -done, I had found out that you were in the most serious -danger. Not only were you to be arrested—so much you -know—but having been arrested, you were to be put out of -the way. You talked of answering for yourself before the -assembly, even of accusing your enemies and the men who -murdered your friends. You never would have had the -chance. There are diseases strangely sudden and fatal to -which prisoners are liable, and there was only too much -reason to fear that you would be attacked by one of them. -There are other poisons, you know, besides the hemlock, -which the state administers to the condemned, and an adverse -verdict is not always wanted before they are given. -Well; we were at our wits’ end. You were obstinate—pardon -me for using the word—and I would not tell you the -whole truth. Even if I had, it was doubtful, in the temper -of mind you were in, whether you would have believed me. -Then Hermione here came to the rescue. ‘We must save -him,’ she cried, ‘against his will.’ ‘How can we do that?’ -I asked; and I assure you that I had not the least idea of -what she meant. ‘You must contrive to carry him off to -some safe place.’ I was astonished. ‘What!’ I said, ‘a -free citizen of Athens.’ ‘What will that help him, with the -men who are plotting to take his life?’ she answered. Then -she told me her plan. I need not describe it to you. It was -carried out exactly. Now can you forgive her?”</p> - -<p>“Oh! lady”—the young man began.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Stop a moment,” cried Hippocles. “I have something -more to say, before you pronounce your judgment. You -must take into account that if she has erred, she has already -suffered.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! father,” interrupted the girl, “it is enough; say -nothing more. I am ready to bear the blame.”</p> - -<p>And she sank back into her seat and covered her face with -her mantle.</p> - -<p>Hippocles went on: “I say she has suffered. We did not -reckon on that unlucky wind. It was bad enough to have -carried you off against your will; but when it seemed that -we might drown you as well, that looked serious. I was -not much afraid, myself. I felt pretty sure that we should -be able to pick you up. But still there was a chance of -something going wrong. And she, of course, felt responsible -for it all. It was true that it was the only way of saving -you—that, I swear by Zeus and Athene, and all the gods -above and below, is the simple, literal fact—but still, I must -own, it was a trying moment, and if anything <i>had</i> happened—Then -you were the last to be picked up, and just -at the last moment, something went wrong. The clumsy -fellow at the helm—I ought to have been there myself, but -I wanted to help in getting you on board—the clumsy fellow -at the helm, I say, gave us a wrong turn. We should -have had a world of trouble in bringing the <i>Skylark</i> about -again. Hermione saw it, sprang to the tiller, and put things -right—I have always taught her how to steer. So you really -owe her something for that. I don’t exactly say that she -saved your life, but you might have been in the water a -little longer than you liked. Well, it was trying to the poor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> -girl. I can imagine how she felt; but she bore up till -we got you on board. Then she fainted; for the very first -time in her life, I give you my word, for she is not given to -that sort of thing. Now, say, can you forgive her and us? -We really did it for the best, and thanks to Poseidon, it has -ended pretty well, so far, after all.”</p> - -<p>“This is no case for forgiveness,” cried the young Athenian -earnestly; “it is a case of gratitude which I shall never -exhaust as long as I live. I am a headstrong young fool, a -silly child, in fact, and you were quite right in dealing with -me as grown people must deal with a child, help it and do it -good against its will. Forgive me, lady,” he went on, and -kneeling before her chair, he took one of her hands in his -own, and carried it to his lips.</p> - -<p>So far all was well. A bold achievement had ended happily, -but the situation was a little strained, to use a common -phrase, and Callias, like the well bred gentleman that he -was, felt that it would be a relief to the girl if it was brought -to an end. Happily, too, at that moment the ludicrous side -of the affair struck him, and it was without any affectation -that he sprang to his feet and burst into a hearty laugh.</p> - -<p>“And now that you have captured me,” he said, “what -is your pleasure? What are you going to do with me?”</p> - -<p>“You shall go where you please,” said Hippocles. “Even -if you want to return to Athens I will not hinder you. But -my plan is this, subject of course, to your consent. Come -with me as far as Thasus. I have business there, to look after -my vineyard, or rather the vintage. My people, I find, are -sadly apt to blunder about it. This will take me no little -time, and while I am engaged there, the <i>Skylark</i> shall take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> -you on to Alcibiades’ castle in Thrace. I was going to say -that I would commend you to him. But that will not be -necessary. He is, you know, a distant kinsman, and is hospitality -itself. In my judgment he has had hard usage. It -would have been better for Athens, if she had trusted him -more. But all that is past. Meanwhile I think that his -castle is the safest place for you just now. You and he are -very much in the same case, I fancy. Athens has not -treated either of you fairly and yet you wish well to her.”</p> - -<p>“Your plan seems a good one,” replied Callias, “let me -think it over for a few hours. Anyhow you shall have my -company as far as Thasus, if you will accept it.”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the <i>Skylark</i> was making headway gaily -through the well-sheltered waters that lie between Eubœa -and the mainland of Greece. When the shelter ceased the -wind had fallen, shifting at the same time to the south-west. -Nearly two hundred miles had yet to be traversed -before Thasus could be sighted, and this was accomplished -without accident or delay. The time of year was later than -a Greek seaman commonly chose for a voyage of any duration, -for it was the latter end of October, and the ninth of -November was the extreme limit of the sailing season.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> -Hippocles, however, was more venturesome in this way than -most of his contemporaries, and his confidence was rewarded -by a most pleasant and prosperous voyage. So blue were the -cloudless skies, so deep the answering color of the seas, -that it was only when the travellers saw the sunset tints on -the forest-clad ridge of Thasus—“the ass’s back-bone laden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -with wood,” as it was called—that they remembered that -summer had long since given place to autumn.</p> - -<p>Two days were spent in a visit to the vineyard which Hippocles -had come to inspect, and then Callias, who had soon -concluded to follow his friend’s advice, resumed his voyage. -The course of the <i>Skylark</i> was now south-easterly. The -voyage had all the interest of novelty for him, for he had -never before visited these waters. When the <i>Skylark</i> -started at early dawn there was a mist which contracted -the horizon. As this cleared away under the increasing -power of the sun the striking peak of Samothrace became -visible in the distance. All day its bold outlines became -more and more clearly defined. On the following morning—for -the good ship pursued her course all night—it had been -left behind, but another height, not less striking in appearance, -and even more interesting in its associations, the snow-capped -Ida, at whose feet lay the world-famed Trojan plains, -took its place. As evening fell the <i>Skylark</i> was brought to -land at the western end of the Hellespont, the rapid current of -which could be better encountered by the rowers when they -had been refreshed by a night’s rest. Progress was now somewhat -slow; and it was on the afternoon of the fourth day -after the start from Thasus that the cliffs of Bisanthe and -the northern shore of the Propontis came in sight. This was -our hero’s destination, for it was here that Alcibiades, after -quitting Athens in the previous year, had fixed his abode.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - -<small>ALCIBIADES.</small></h2> - - -<p>The sun was just setting when the <i>Skylark</i> cast anchor -about two hundred yards from the shore and opposite -the castle with which the loftiest point of the cliffs was -crowned. The signal flag which the captain ran up to his -mast-head was answered by another from the castle, and in a -few minutes a boat was seen to start from a little quay which -had been built out into the sea at the foot of the cliff. Callias -had written a letter to Alcibiades in which he briefly described -himself and his errand, and Hippocles, though -modestly depreciating the value of any thing that he could -say, had also written, at the young man’s request, a letter of -introduction. These documents were handed over to the -officer in charge of the boat, and conveyed by him to the -castle. After a very short delay the boat returned again, -this time in the charge of an officer of obviously higher -rank. This higher personage mounted the side of the -<i>Skylark</i>, and after giving a courteous greeting to Callias, delivered -to him an invitation from Alcibiades to make his -castle his home for as long a period as he might find it convenient -to stay there, explaining at the same time that his -master would have come in person to welcome his guest, if -he had not been detained by business of importance with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> -neighboring chief. The young Athenian’s baggage—for -he had been liberally fitted out by the thoughtful and generous -care of Hippocles—was transferred to the boat, and -in a few minutes more he had set his foot on the landing-place.</p> - -<p>He had been speculating as he neared the shore, about the -way in which the castle was to be approached. An observer -looking from the sea might have thought that there was no -way of getting to it except by scaling the almost perpendicular -base of the cliff. Once landed on the quay, however, the -traveller discovered that a passage had been cut through the -cliff. This passage, which could be closed at its lower end by -a massive door, was something like a winding staircase. It -was somewhat stifling and dark, though light and air were -occasionally admitted by holes bored to the outer surface of -the rock. Its upper end opened in to a courtyard round -which the castle was built. The approach from the sea was, -it will have been seen, sufficiently secure. On that side indeed -the castle of Bisanthe was absolutely impregnable. -From the land, it was, to say the least, safely defensible. It -was approached by one narrow ridge, so formed that a few resolute -men could hold it against a numerous body of assailants. -The walls were lofty and massive, and so constructed that a -galling fire of missiles could be kept up on either flank of an -attacking force.</p> - -<p>Callias was escorted to his chamber by a young Thracian -slave, who informed him in broken speech that a bath room -in which he would find hot and cold water was at his service, -and further that his master hoped to have the pleasure -of his company at supper in an hour’s time. The chamber,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -it may be said, was furnished with a clepsydra, or water-clock, -marked with divisions.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a></p> - -<p>Callias awaited his introduction to his host with no little -curiosity. Alcibiades was, as has been said, a kinsman of -his own, and he had heard of him—what Athenian, indeed, -had not,—but he had never happened to see him. Callias’ -father had been an aristocrat of the old-fashioned type, and -had so strongly disapproved of his cousin’s reckless and extravagant -behavior that he had broken off all intercourse -with him, and had been particularly careful that his son -should never come in contact with him. Callias was about -fourteen when Alcibiades left Athens in command (along -with two colleagues) of the Sicilian expedition. The absence -thus begun lasted about eight years. For the first half of -this time he was an exile; for the second half in command of -the fleets and armies of Athens, but still postponing his return -to his native city. Then came his brief visit, lasting it -would seem, only a few days,<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> and at that time Callias, as -it happened, had been absent in foreign service. He was now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> -in what was or should have been, the prime of life, having -just completed his forty-fourth year, but the dissipation of -his youth and early manhood and the anxieties of his later -years had left their mark upon him, and he looked older -than his age. Yet there were traces of the brilliant beauty -that in earlier days had helped to make him the spoiled -darling of Athens. The wrinkles had begun to gather -about his eyes, but they were still singularly lustrous, and -could either flash with anger, or melt with tenderness. His -temples were hollow and his cheeks had somewhat fallen in; -but his complexion was almost as brilliant as ever, while -the abundant auburn curls that fell clustering about his neck -had scarcely a streak of gray in them.</p> - -<p>His greeting to his guest was more than courteous. It -was affectionate, exactly such as was fitting from an older -to a younger relative. Indeed then, as ever afterward during -their acquaintance, Callias was greatly struck by the perfection -of his manners. It seemed impossible that the -stories told of his haughty insolence by which in former years -he had made himself one of the best-hated men in Athens -could possibly be true.</p> - -<p>Supper was announced shortly after Callias had been -ushered into the chamber. Alcibiades took his guest by the -hand, led him into the dining-room, and assigned him a -place next to himself. Some other guests were present. -Two of these were officers in the military force which Alcibiades -maintained in his stronghold; the third was an aged -man, who had been his tutor many years, and for whom he -retained an affection that was honorable to both master -and pupil. The fourth was the Thracian chief with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -whom Alcibiades had been engaged when the <i>Skylark</i> arrived.</p> - -<p>The meal was simple. The chief feature was one of the -huge turbot for which the Euxine was famous.</p> - -<p>“That would have cost a fortune in the fish market at -Athens,” said the host pointing to the dish, “even if it -could have been procured at all. Here a fisherman thinks -himself well paid for such a monster by three, or at the -most, four <i>drachmae</i>.”<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></p> - -<p>A piece of venison and a platter of quails were the other -dishes. The second course consisted of a maize pudding and -some sweet-meats.</p> - -<p>During the repast the conversation turned speedily on -local matters, and was carried on (but not till after a courteous -apology had been offered to the young Athenian) in the -bastard Greek largely mixed with Thracian words, in -which the chief was accustomed to express himself. The -meal ended, a handsome silver cup was handed by the -major-domo, a venerable looking man, who made the comfort -of his master and his most honored guests his special care. -Alcibiades took it and poured out a few drops upon the -table, uttering as he did so, the words: “To Athene the -Champion.” This was equivalent to the loyal toasts of an -English banquet. He then took a very moderate draught, the -wine being unmixed, in obedience to the rule which demanded -that all wine used in religious ceremonies—and this libation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -was such a ceremony—should be pure.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> He then tipped the -cup to each guest in turn. All were equally moderate, for it -was not the custom, even for a Greek drunkard, it may be -said, to drink his wine unmixed. But when the cup came -to the Thracian chief he drank a deep draught as if the -liquor had been liberally diluted. Callias who had never -been at table with a Thracian before, watched the man with -amazement. He saw that while the other guests were supplied -with the usual mixtures of wine and water the chief -remained steadfast in his devotion to the undiluted liquid, -and that he emptied his cup at a draught, and that the cup -itself was of an unusual capacity. Nor did the drinker seem -affected by these extraordinary potations, except that his -voice became louder, and his manner more boastful. At -last, however, and that without a moment’s notice, he -rolled over senseless on his back. So sudden was the -change that it suggested the idea of a fit.</p> - -<p>“Is he ill?” he whispered in some alarm, to his -neighbor.</p> - -<p>“Ill? not a whit. It is the way in which he always -finishes his evenings. His slaves will carry him to bed, and -he will awake to-morrow morning without the suspicion of -a headache. Bacchus, I verily believe, has a special favor -for these fellows, and, truly, they do worship him with a -most admirable earnestness.”</p> - -<p>The Thracian’s collapse was the signal for breaking up the -party. Callias and the old tutor, Timanthes by name,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -declined to drink any more, and the two officers, who were -on duty for the night, departed to make their round. -Strong as was the place Alcibiades omitted no precautions -for its safe custody. Timanthes, who was old and feeble retired -to rest.</p> - -<p>“Come with me to my own room,” said Alcibiades to his -guest, “we shall be here alone.”</p> - -<p>The chamber to which he led the way was little like what -one would have expected to find in free-booter’s stronghold, -for really the castle of Bisanthe was more of that than anything -else. Art and letters were amply represented in it. -On one wall hung a panel painting<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> by Polygnotus, a -masterly composition, of that serenity, that ethical meaning, -as the great critic Aristotle expresses it, which was -characteristic of the artist. This represented the gods in -council at Olympus. It was faced on the opposite wall -by an exceedingly graceful painting from the hand of -Xeuxis, Aphrodite and the Graces, and a spirited picture by -the same artist, of the duel between Ajax and Hector. -There were other works by men of less note. Sculpture -was represented by only a single specimen, a bust of -Socrates.</p> - -<p>“Paintings are easily carried about,” Alcibiades afterwards -explained to his guest, “but sculpture is inconveniently -heavy. You will understand that a man in my -situation has always to be ready for a move; and I always -like to have two or three really good things that I -can always take with me. One bust, indeed, I have indulged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -myself with, that of my old teacher. Ah! if I had heard him -to more purpose, I should not be here! You know him, -of course?”</p> - -<p>Callias said that he did.</p> - -<p>“An excellent likeness! is it not? Who would think that -such features concealed a soul so divinely beautiful? Did -you have any talk with him when you were in Athens?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Callias, “and I admired above all things -his practical wisdom. But what was that to what I afterwards -saw of him?”</p> - -<p>And he went on to relate how the philosopher stood firm, -though in imminent peril of his life, and had steadfastly refused -to put the unconstitutional proposal of Callixenus to the -assembly.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades heard the story with uncontrollable delight. -He started up from his seat, and walked up and down the -room with flashing eyes. “Tell me everything about it,” -he said, and he insisted upon the repetition of every detail. -“That is magnificent,” he cried, when his curiosity had -been satisfied. “That is exactly what one would have expected -from Socrates. I suppose that it is the very first -time that he ever acted as presiding magistrate—he had -never been so, I know, when I left Athens, nor have I -heard of his having been since—and that first time he did -what nobody else dared to do. You say that the others -gave way?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Callias, “they stood up against it at first, -but gave in afterwards. Socrates was absolutely alone, and at -last they put the question without him.”</p> - -<p>“It is just like him,” cried Alcibiades with enthusiasm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<p>“He is simply the bravest and most enduring man alive. -I could tell you stories about him that would astonish you. -We served together in the campaign at Potidæa. Indeed we -were in the same mess. When we had short commons, as -we had many a time, there was no one like him in holding -out. He seemed to be able to go without food altogether, -but when we had plenty, he could enjoy it as well as anybody. -We had a foolish way, as young men will, of making -people drink whether they wished it or not. But nothing -ever affected Socrates. No one ever saw him one whit the -worse for what he had taken. And as for the way in which -he bore cold, it was absolutely incredible, only that -one saw it with one’s own eyes. The winters here are terrible, -as you will find out, if, as I hope you will, you stop with -me, but he used to make nothing of them. During the -very hardest frost we had, when every one who could, stayed -in doors, and those who were obliged to go out, wrapped -themselves till you would hardly know them, he wore -nothing but his common cloak, and went absolutely barefoot.</p> - -<p>“Once, I remember, something came into his mind. -That was in the early morning. Well, he stood trying to -think it out till noon, and from noon he went on till -evening. Some Greeks from Asia wanted to see how long -this would go on; so, after dinner, they brought out their -mattresses, and took up their quarters for the night in the -open air—it was summer-time, you must understand. Some -of them slept, and some watched him, taking it by turns. -Their report was that he stood there till morning, and the -sun rose, and that then he made a prayer to the sun, and so -went to his quarters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>“His courage, too, is astonishing. In one of the battles -at Potidæa he saved my life. I had been wounded -and must infallibly have been killed, if it had not -been for him. He took me up and carried me off to our -line. The generals gave me the prize for valor, when they -ought, by right, to have given it to him. But they took account -of my family and rank, and curiously enough, he was -just as anxious as they were that I should have it and not -he. Then at Delium, again, when the day went against us, -and the army was in full retreat. I was in the cavalry; he -was serving as a foot soldier. Our men would not keep together, -and he and Laches—he was killed, afterward, at -Mantinea—were making the best of their way back. I rode -up to them and told them to keep up their courage and I would -not leave them. A cavalry soldier has, you know, a great advantage -in a retreat. There was no need to tell Socrates to -keep up his courage. Laches, I could see, though a brave -enough man, was terribly frightened; but Socrates was as -cool as a man could be. He held up his head finely, and -marched steadily on. It was plain enough to see that anyone -who meddled with him would find out his mistake. -The end of it was that he got back safe, and brought Laches -back safe also. The fact is that at such times it is the men who -are in a hurry to get away that are cut down. I do not -think that there ever was a braver man than Socrates. And -what you have just been telling me bears it out. A man -may be brave enough in battle and be timidly frightened -when the assembly is howling and raging against him. -This has been a dismal business of the generals and I have -never been so near despairing of my country, as I have since<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -I heard it. How is it possible to help a city that makes -such a requital to those who save her? But still, while there -are men like Socrates in her, all is not lost. But no more now; -you must be weary, and ready to sleep. There will be plenty -of time hereafter to talk. And now farewell.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - -<small>BISANTHE.</small></h2> - - -<p>Life at Bisanthe would, in any case, have been remarkably -attractive to Callias. The taste for sport was -hereditary with him, as it was with most Athenians of his -class. But, ever since his boyhood, circumstances had been -altogether adverse to any indulgence of it. For a quarter of a -century an Athenian’s life had been perforce a city life.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> -The country outside the walls was not available for -when it was not actually in the occupation of a hostile -army, it was still in a state of desolation. Game, it is probable, -had almost disappeared from it. It had long been too -thickly populated for the larger animals to exist in it. -These the sportsman had been obliged to seek in the mountain -regions of Phocis, Doris, and Thessaly. Now the smaller -such as the hare, always reckoned a special dainty in -Athens, could scarcely be found, even when it was possible to -seek for it. Callias was delighted to find a totally different -condition of things at Bisanthe. Here there were to be -found fierce and powerful animals the pursuit of which gave -something of the delightful excitement of danger, the bear, -the wild-boar, and the wolf. Lion, too, could be sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -seen, though they were not so common as they had been -some eighty years before when the army of Xerxes, marching -through this very region, had had so many of the camels -attacked and killed by them. Our young Athenian highly -appreciated this abundance of noble game. He had had no -experience, indeed, in the huntsman’s craft, but he became -fairly expert at it. He was an excellent rider; this accomplishment -was a necessary part of the education of a well-born -Athenian. He was expert in all martial exercises, especially -in the use of the javelin and the spear; and, above all, he -had a cool courage which his warlike experience by land and -sea had admirably developed.</p> - -<p>But there were more serious matters than sport to occupy -him. The relation of his host to his neighbors, both Greek -and barbarian, was of curious interest to a thoughtful young -man. He had heard something of it at Athens, for Alcibiades -was a much talked of personage, all of whose movements -were earnestly, even anxiously, discussed both by friends -and foes. Now he was, so to speak, behind the scenes, and -saw and heard much that the outside world did not know -or did not understand. The neighbors with whom his host -came in contact, friendly or unfriendly, were three. There -were the Greek cities along the northern coast of -the Propontis; there was Seuthes, the king of Thrace; -a potentate whose kingdom had many uncertain and -varying boundaries, and there were the free or independent -Thracians. Between these last and Alcibiades -there was constant war. Accustomed for centuries to -plunder their neighbors, they now found themselves repaid -in their own coin. At the head of a picked force, highly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -disciplined and admirably armed, Alcibiades harried their -country with an audacity and a skill which made -his name a constant terror to them. The Greek cities, -on the other hand, were uniformly friendly. Before -his coming they had been sadly harrassed and distressed by -their barbarian neighbors. They had not been able to call -anything beyond their walls exactly their own, and even -their walls had sometimes scarcely sufficed to protect them. -All this was altered by the military genius of this remarkable -man. The robber bands which had been accustomed to -ride unchecked up to their fortifications were now compelled -to keep at a respectful distance from them, and not only the -cities themselves but their territories were practically safe. -Land which it had been impossible to cultivate at all, or -from which only a precarious crop could be snatched with -imminent danger to the cultivator, was now covered with -prosperous farms and pleasant homesteads. For this protection, -enabling them as it did to save the exhausting expense -of imported food, the cities were willing to pay, and -considerable sums which were practically a tribute, only -much more cheerfully paid, came regularly into the -treasury at Bisanthe, and enabled its master to keep up a -numerous and efficient force.</p> - -<p>As for King Seuthes, his relations with the powerful -stranger who had settled on these his territories were more -doubtful. He was not an enemy, but he certainly was not -a friend. All that Alcibiades could do in weakening the -independent Thracians was altogether to his mind. -Let them be weakened enough, and they would gladly seek -protection by becoming his subjects. On the other hand he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -did not approve the idea of any one but himself becoming -the patron of the Greek cities on his coast. What they -were willing to pay for protection ought to come, he felt, -into his coffers, not into those of an interloping adventurer. -Meanwhile he was content to remain on outwardly good -terms with the master of Bisanthe, and to await the development -of events.</p> - -<p>In the little town of the same name that was dominated -by the castle of Bisanthe, the young Athenian found some -pleasant society. He was the more at home in it because it -was an Ionian colony, and the inhabitants were akin to -him in race and sympathies. They had the same culture, a -quality that always flourished more kindly in the Ionic -branch of the Hellenic race. Plays of the great dramatists -of his own country were performed in a small but well appointed -theatre, and there was at least one circle in the -town in which literary topics were discussed with interest -and intelligence.</p> - -<p>The resources available in the way of native society were -not great. Thracian habits in general were not unfairly -represented by the behavior of the chief to whom my readers -were introduced in the last chapter. Their hard drinking -habits had already made them notorious throughout Greece. -Our hero accordingly kept away from the entertainments -which his host felt it a matter of policy to attend. The one -great social function at which he assisted was the marriage -of a prince who was nearly related to King Seuthes. -Athenian habits were commonly frugal. Their public -buildings, whether for political or religious purposes, were -splendid in the extreme. On these, and on the ceremonies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> -of worship, they were accustomed to spare no expense. But -their private expenditure was, as a rule, not large. Our -hero was proportionately astonished at the profusion which -prevailed at the wedding festivities of the Thracian -Caranus. There were twenty guests. Each as he entered -the banqueting chamber had a circle of gold put upon his -head, and in taking his place was presented with a silver -cup. These and indeed all the dishes, plates, and cups with -which the guests were furnished during the entertainment, -were supposed to become their actual property. A brass -platter, covered with pastry, on which were birds of various -kinds, was put before each, and after this another of silver, -furnished with a variety of fresh meats. These disposed of—they -were just tasted and handed to the slaves who stood -behind the guests—two flasks of perfume, one of silver, the -other of gold, fastened together with a link of gold, were -distributed. Each flask held about half a pint. Then came -a piece of quite barbarous extravagance—a silver gilt charger, -large enough to hold a porker of considerable size. The -creature lay on its back with its belly stuffed with thrushes, -the yolks of eggs, oysters, scollops, and other dainties. The -carrying capacity of the slaves was nearly exhausted, and -the bridegroom received a hearty round of applause when he -ordered his guests to be supplied with baskets, themselves -richly ornamented with silver in which they might carry -away his bounty.</p> - -<p>At this point Alcibiades and his friend made an excuse to -depart. “Caranus,” said the former, as they returned to -Bisanthe, “must have embarassed himself for life by this -silly extravagance. He must have borrowed money largely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -before he could indulge in all this silver-ware, for though -his estates are large, he is far from being wealthy. But it -is a point of honor with these people to go as near to ruining -themselves as the money-lender will permit them, when -they celebrate a birth, a wedding, or a funeral.”</p> - -<p>But Callias found the chief interest of the months which -he spent at Bisanthe in the frequent conversations which -he held with his host. In these Alcibiades expressed himself -with the utmost freedom and frankness. What he said -was in fact at once a confession and an apology, the substance -of them may be given as follows:</p> - -<p>“You have heard I dare say very much evil of me, and I -cannot deny that much of it is perfectly true. It ill becomes -a man to complain of circumstances, for everyone, I take it, -can make his own life and if he goes to ruin has only himself -to blame for it. Yet the gods, or fate, or whatever it is -that rules the world, were certainly adverse to me from the -beginning. My father fell at Coronea when I was but a -mere child, and the loss of a father is especially damaging -when his son is rich and noble. Every one seems to agree -in spoiling the boy, the lad, the young man, who is the -master of his own fortune. I know that I was fooled to the -top of my bent. However, that is all past, and the free man -who lets others turn him about to their own purposes has -nothing to say in his own defence; and I had at least one -good thing on my side of which if I had been so minded I -might have made good use. Socrates never wearied of convicting -me out of my own mouth of folly and ignorance, -and he knew my great weakness and told me of it in the -most unsparing fashion. I remember once how he convicted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -me of what I know has been the great fault of my life. ‘If,’ -he said, ‘you can convince the Athenians that you deserve -to be honored as no man, not even Pericles himself deserved, -if you gain an equal name among the other Greeks and -barbarians, if you cross over from Europe and meddle -with matters in Asia, all these things will not satisfy -you. You desire to be nothing less than master of the -whole human race.’ That perhaps was somewhat exaggerated, -but I certainly have had big schemes in my head, -bigger than I ever had, or could hope to have, the means of -carrying out. My hopes took in all Greece, Persia, Carthage, -the Western barbarians who inhabit the shores of the ocean, -and I know not what else. It was too great a structure to build -on the slight foundation of an Athenian dock-yard; it was -piling Olympus and Ossa and Pelion on the hill of -Hymettus, and such structures are sure to fall even without -the thunder-bolt of Zeus. Yet it is only fair to myself -to say that in my ambitions I did think of my country -as well as of myself; and I think that I have not always had -fair play in carrying them out. There was the expedition to -Sicily, for instance. I suppose that no one will ever speak of -it but as a piece of hair-brained folly into which I was the -means of leading Athens. Looked at by the event, it seems -so, I allow, and yet it might have succeeded. Indeed it was -within an iota of succeeding, and this though the people -showed the incredible folly of putting as senior in command, -a man who hated the whole business. Even Nicias almost -took Syracuse. If they had only left me without a colleague -or with colleagues who would have yielded to my -counsels! But what did they do? Just at the critical time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -they recalled the man whom everyone in the expedition, from -the first to the last, identified with its success; and why did they -recall me? On that trumpery charge of having broken -the Hermæ.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> You would like to ask me, I know, whether -I had anything to do with the matter. No; I had not, but I -could have told them all about it if I had had the chance. As -it was, they were ready to listen to any one but me. Why, -there was an outrageous liar came forward, and declared he -had seen the whole thing done by the light of the moon; -and on the night it was done there was no moon at -all. But I had enemies, personal enemies who would stick -at nothing as long as they could injure me. And here I -must confess a fault, a fault that has been fatal to me. I deserved -to have enemies. I made them by my annoyance -and insolence; and if they ruined me, and, as I think, my -country with me, I have only myself to blame. You -would like to know how I justify myself for what I did after -my banishment, for getting Sparta to help Syracuse against -my own country? I do not justify myself at all. It was -madness, tho’ it was only too successful. But it made me -frantic to think what a chance, what a splendid opportunity -for myself and for Athens, the fools who were in power at -home were throwing away. No; on that point I have -nothing to say for myself. But since then I have honestly -tried to do the best that I could for the city. And if the -Athenians could only have trusted me and had had a -little more patience, I believe that I could have saved them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> -But it is always the same story with them; they must have -what they want at once, and if they don’t get it, some one -has to suffer. How could they expect that I could put right -at once all that had been going wrong for years?”</p> - -<p>Such was the substance of what Alcibiades said to his -guest on the many occasions on which they discussed these -matters, said of course, with a variety of details and a -wealth of illustration, which it is impossible to reproduce. -More than once Callias asked his host what were his views -and expectations of the future of the war. He found that -Alcibiades did not take a cheerful view of the prospects of -the campaign that would be soon beginning.</p> - -<p>“I was always afraid,” he said, “that the victory at -Arginusæ would be only a reprieve, a postponing of the -evil day. The effort which Athens then made was too exhausting -to be repeated—her next fleet will be nothing like -as good as the last, and the last had hard enough work to -win the day. And then there was the disastrous folly and -crime of putting the generals to death. Mind, I don’t say -that they were not to blame; but I do say that to kill the -only good officers the city had, even if they had deserved -death ten times more than they did, was mere madness. -Whom have they got to put in their place? Conon is a man -who knows his business and would do his duty, but as for -the rest,” he went on, anticipating a witticism which was -made many hundred years afterwards by an English statesman, -“I can only say that I hope they will inspire the -enemy with half the terror with which they inspire me.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br /> - -<small>ÆGOS POTAMI.</small></h2> - - -<p>Alcibiades had established a system of communication -with all the principal stations in the Ægean which gave him -early information of what was going on.</p> - -<p>Early in the new year (405) intelligence reached him at his -castle, that Lysander was coming out from Sparta to assume -the command of the allied fleet. This news affected Alcibiades -very considerably.</p> - -<p>“I anticipated this,” he said to his guest after the evening -meal on the day when the news had reached him, “and it -is the worst thing that could have happened for Athens. -There was just a chance that the Spartans, who, happily for -us, are very stupid and obstinate, would stick to their -rule that no man should be appointed naval commander-in-chief -thrice. But they had, as I heard from a friend in -Chios, a very strong requisition from the allies to appoint -Lysander, and so they have sent him out again, saving -their rule by appointing a nominal chief, a man called Arrachus, -who, of course, is a mere figure head. Now Lysander -is by far the ablest man that the Spartans have got; he -is quite unscrupulous; he is a bitter enemy of ours; and what -is worst of all, he can do anything that he pleases with -Cyrus. You have not been campaigning for two or three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -years without finding out that the Persian money bags are -the real weights that make the scales of fate go up and -down. Last year Callicratidas was crippled because Cyrus, -at this very Lysander’s request, kept his purse strings -tight. Now everything will be straight and easy, and before -two months are over the Spartans will have as good a fleet -as money can make.” The year wore slowly on. The -long Thracian winter, which Callias, though not unused to -cold weather in Athens found exceedingly severe, yielded at -last to spring, and spring in its turn to summer. All the -while the news which reached Bisanthe continued to have -a gloomy complexion. At Miletus, as well as in other of -the mainland towns, thorough-going partisans of Lysander -were installed in power. Cyrus had been called -away to Upper Asia, where the old king, his father, -was lying sick to death, and had left all his treasuries at the -disposal of the Spartan admiral. With this supply of money -the pay of the sailors had been increased, and new ships -had been laid down on the stocks. In March the Athenian -fleet sailed for the seat of war. It was larger than -any that had been sent forth by the city in recent -years, for it numbered no less than one hundred and -eighty ships; but private letters gave an unfavorable -account of the way in which it was equipped, and officered. -This adverse opinion continued to be borne -out by the news that arrived from time to time of its doings. -It seemed to be moving about aimlessly and fruitlesly, always -behind, always in the wrong place. It offered -battle to Lysander, who lay in harbor near Ephesus, but in -vain. The wary Spartan had no mind to fight but at his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -own time, and the Athenian admirals had no way of compelling -him. Then the ships were scattered in plundering -expeditions along the mainland coasts and among the -islands which had accepted the Spartan alliance. The gain -was small, for the booty was insignificant, but the demoralization -and relaxation of discipline were great. About midsummer -followed a bold maneuver on the part of Lysander. -He sailed across the Ægean to the coast of Attica, where -his sudden appearance caused no little consternation. The -Athenian commanders were as usual behind hand. If they -had heard of this movement as soon as they ought, and had -been ready to follow immediately, it is quite possible -that they might have inflicted a damaging blow on their -adversaries. As it was, the news was long in reaching -them, and when it came, found them with their fleet scattered -and unprepared. Accordingly they missed their chance of -forcing Lysander to an engagement off an hostile shore, an -engagement, too, which he would hardly have been able to -decline. Lysander crossed and recrossed the Ægean without -molestation, and shortly afterward sailed northward.</p> - -<p>Alcibiades, whose intelligence department was, as has -been said, admirably organized, received information that -this movement was intended, and in consequence took up -his quarters at a little fort which he possessed at the extremity -of the Chersonesus. He and his guest had not been -there more than a day when the Spartan fleet came in sight. -He watched it pass at a distance of two or three miles, -with eager interest.</p> - -<p>“They have a very formidable appearance,” he said to -Callias when he had scanned with his practical eye every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> -detail of their equipment. “I shall be agreeably surprised -if our ships have anything as good to show.” On the following -day the Athenian fleet appeared, showing only too -plainly how just had been Alcibiades’ forebodings. -The effects of wind and weather—the ships had now been -nearly six months at sea—were plainly visible; the sails, -which, as there was a slight breeze from the west, they used -to assist their progress, were dirty and ragged; the rowers -were deplorably out of time.</p> - -<p>“Things,” he said to his companion, “are even worse -than I expected; that fleet will be no match for its enemy, -except under far more skillful management than it is likely -to have. Still let us hope for the best; and it may be possible -to give our friends some good advice, if they will take -it.” This, unfortunately, was the last thing that the -Athenian admirals, certainly incompetent, and probably -traitorous, were willing to do. The progress of events, -briefly described, was this:</p> - -<p>Lysander possessed himself, by a sudden attack, of the -town of Lampsacus, which was in alliance with Athens. -This conquest put him in possession of abundant supplies, -and of what was more valuable, a safe and convenient base -of operations. While securing these material advantages, -he also, with a generosity which he could always assume on -occasion, allowed the Lampsacenes to go unharmed. He -gained thus not only a strong position but a friendly population. -On the other hand the position occupied by the -Athenians was by no means so favorable. They moved -their fleet to the mouth of a little stream known by the -name of Ægos Potami, or the Goat’s River. This spot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> -was directly opposite Lampsacus—the Hellespont here is -somewhat less than two miles broad—but it had no conveniences -for the purpose for which it was chosen. There -was no harbor, the anchorage was indifferent, there were no -houses in the neighborhood, and the nearest point from -which supplies could be obtained was the town of Sestos, -nearly two miles distant.</p> - -<p>The opportunity for offering advice which Alcibiades had -foreseen had now occurred, and he promptly took advantage -of it. The morning after the arrival of the fleet, he rode, -with Callias in his company, to the spot where the Athenian -generals had pitched their headquarters, and requested an -interview. He was introduced into the tent which they -used for purposes of consultation, and saw the two officers, -Menander and Tydeus by name, who happened to be -detailed that day for duty on shore.</p> - -<p>They received him with a coldness and hauteur which -augured ill for the success of his mission.</p> - -<p>“Allow me, gentlemen,” he said, “to offer you a piece of -advice which, from my knowledge of the country, I feel -sure will be useful. Transfer your fleet from this position, -which, you must allow me to say, has nothing to recommend -it, to Sestos. You must go to Sestos for your supplies; why -not stay there altogether. The harbor is good and you will -be able to do what you please, fight, or not fight, as it may -seem best. Here, if it comes on a blow from the south and—you -will remember that the equinox is near—you will be in -a very awkward predicament; and, anyhow, I do not see -how you are to keep your men together when they have to -forage in this manner for supplies.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“We are obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in -coming,” said Menander, “but you must allow us to remind -you that it is we, and not you whom the Athenian people -have appointed to the command of this fleet.”</p> - -<p>“The gods prosper you in it,” replied Alcibiades with -unruffled coolness. “And now, farewell.”</p> - -<p>“I have done all that I could,” observed Alcibiades to -his companion, who had been expecting his return outside -the tent. “Now we can only await the event. As for -these men, I would say of them that the gods strike with -madness those whom they are determined to destroy, but -for one thing. There may be a method in their madness. -They may <i>mean</i> to bring about a disaster. In a word they -may have sold their country. It is a hard thing to say of -any man, but could any admiral, not being a madman or a -traitor, keep his fleet in such a place as this? And yet I do -not know. I have seen honest men act with a folly so outrageous -that one could not help suspecting something more. -Let us go home, and prepare for the worst. But stay—there -is yet a chance. There is Conon. He must know better -than this. Will you see him? I cannot, for there is too -deadly a feud between us. Do you know him?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Callias, “I was with him last year when he -was shut up in Mitylene, and he sent me with despatches -to Athens.”</p> - -<p>“And will you go to him?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, if it would not seem too presumptuous.”</p> - -<p>“You can give your authority; he will understand why -I did not come myself; and he is too sensible not to listen -to good advice from whomsoever it may come.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Conon was on board his ship in which he was practicing -some maneuvers about half a mile from the shore. The -young Athenian was rowed out to see him, and returned in -about an hour. The report which he brought back was -this:</p> - -<p>“Conon was very reserved, but courteous. He wished -me to thank you for your message, and to say he was sure -you wished well to Athens. He would do what he could, -but he was only one out of many, and he might be out-voted. -Anyhow, he would keep his own men from straggling.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said Alcibiades, “we have shot our last bolt, let -us go back.”</p> - -<p>For some days the two companions waited for news in a -suspense that they often felt to be almost beyond bearing. -One night—it was the night of the fifteenth of September—they -had watched through the hours of darkness till the day -began to show itself in the eastern sky. Both had felt the -presentiment that their waiting was about to end, though -neither had acknowledged it to the other.</p> - -<p>“Is it never coming?” said the elder man, as he rose from -his seat, and looked from the window across the sea, just -beginning to glitter with the morning light. In a moment -his attitude of weariness changed to one of eager attention.</p> - -<p>“Look!” he cried to Callias. “What is that?” and he -pointed to a boat that had just rounded the nearest point to -the westward. It was a fishing boat, manned, apparently, -by seven or eight men, and making all the speed it could -with both oars and sails. The two men hurried down to the -castle pier, and awaited the arrival of what they were sure -was the long expected message.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - -<p>The boat was still about two hundred yards away when -Alcibiades recognized the steersman.</p> - -<p>“Ah!” he cried, “it is old Hipparchus.” And he waved -his hand with a friendly gesture.</p> - -<p>“It is a bad news he brings,” he said again after a quiet -pause, “he makes no reply.”</p> - -<p>A few more strokes brought the boat alongside of the pier. -Alcibiades reached his hand to the steersman, and helped -him to disembark. That his errand was bad was only too -evident from his look. He was deadly pale, and in his eyes -was the expression of one who had lately seen some terrible -sight.</p> - -<p>“It is all over,” he said, “Athens is lost.”</p> - -<p>For a few minutes the three men stood silent. Perhaps it -was then that Alcibiades felt the keenest remorse of his life. -After all, it was he who, more than any living man, had -brought this ruin to his country. He had led her into an -enterprise which overmatched her strength; and he had -suggested to her enemies, the too successful policy that had -ended in her overthrow. If Athens was indeed lost it was -his doing—and yet he loved her. Much of this the younger -man could guess at, for he had not been at Bisanthe for now -nearly a year without learning something of his host’s inner -thoughts. He turned away his face unwilling to witness the -emotion which he felt could be seen in the other’s countenance. -The messenger from the scene of the disaster stood -with downcast eyes, absorbed in the dismal recollections of -what he had lately witnessed.</p> - -<p>“Tell us how it happened,” said Alcibiades.</p> - -<p>“For five days,” so he began, “we manned our ships<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -every morning about the third hour, formed them in line -of battle, and moved across the strait to the harbor of -Lampsacus. The Spartan fleet was ranged in line outside -the harbor with their army drawn up upon the shore on -either side. Our admirals did not venture to attack; and so -we sailed back. I noticed that a few quick-sailing galleys -followed us at about half a mile distance. When we got -back to our station, our men used to scatter in search of provisions -for their noonday meal—our commissariat, you must -know, was very ill-supplied. Some went up the country, -but most made their way to Sestos. None of our admirals, -except Conon, seemed to have a notion that this was dangerous, -though some of us old sailors could have warned -them if we had dared. Conon always kept his men together. -Well, on the fifth day—our men, you must understand, -had been growing more and more careless—about an -hour after we got back, a shield was run up to the masthead -of one of the Spartan swift-sailing galleys. I saw it flash in -the sunshine; and a few moments afterwards the whole -Spartan fleet rowed from their anchorage and made their -way across the strait. They caught us entirely unprepared. -There was no battle; scarcely a blow was struck. I can -easily believe that they did not lose a single man. Some of -our ships they found absolutely deserted. None of them -had more than two-thirds of their complement. No, I -should not say none; twelve were ready, Conon’s eight and -four others, one of which was the Parelus.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> I was on board<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -Menander’s own ship, of which I was steersman. There -were eight others with me. We hurried as fast as we could -to Sestos. There, the next day, I was able to hire this boat, -and thought the best thing that I could do was to come here.”</p> - -<p>“You say that twelve ships escaped,” said Alcibiades, -“how many then were taken?”</p> - -<p>“About a hundred and seventy,” answered the man.</p> - -<p>“And how many prisoners?”</p> - -<p>“I cannot say, but certainly several thousand. Before -we came away, a boat from Lampsacus brought an awful -story of what had been done there. All the Athenian -prisoners were put to death, between three and four thousand. -Only the admiral Adeimantus was spared.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! I see,” cried Alcibiades, “he was the traitor.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> - -<small>TO PHARNABAZUS.</small></h2> - - -<p>There was little sleep that night for the inhabitants of -the castle of Bisanthe. Every one felt that the situation -was full of peril. If it had not been for the confidence which -every one brought into contact with Alcibiades felt in his -capacities of leadership there would have been something -like a panic. As it was, the garrison awaited with calmness, -though not without intense anxiety, the course of action -which their commander would take for himself, and recommend -to them. They were not kept long in suspense.</p> - -<p>Shortly after dawn the notes of a trumpet were heard -through the castle giving the well known signal by which a -general assembly of the garrison was called. A few minutes -sufficed to collect the men. The meeting was held in the -central court of the castle, and Alcibiades, taking his stand -on the topmost step of an outside staircase which led up to -one of the chambers, addressed them.</p> - -<p>“Comrades,” he said, “you have heard of the disaster by -which Athens has lost its last fleet. I will blame no man for -what happened or inquire whether it might not have -been averted—”</p> - -<p>The speaker was interrupted by loud cries of “Long live -Alcibiades, the invincible!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>A flush of pleasure passed over the speaker’s face, but he -made a gesture imperative of silence, and continued.</p> - -<p>“The only thing that remains for us is to consider what it -is most expedient to do. Here, my friends, we cannot stay. -Bisanthe indeed, protected by its situation, its walls, and -stout hands and tried valor, it would not be easy to take. -But, with both sea and land hostile, with all the country -and cities from which we have drawn our supplies in the -hands of the Spartans, we cannot long continue to hold it. -What then shall we do? You, my friends, I can only advise, -for from this day I of necessity cease to command. Go, -then, I would say, to King Seuthes, and offer yourselves to -him. He will receive you kindly. Brave men—and your -valor has been shown times without number—are always -valued and honored by him, and now that, for a time at -least, the Spartans and their allies have became supreme in -these parts, he will want men more than ever. If you require -it, you shall have my good word; but your reputation -will speak for you more effectually than I can. My gratitude -to you, who have served me so well, I can never express. -Yet such return as I can make shall not be left undone. -The paymaster will pay you all arrears of pay, with -a donation of thrice as much again.”</p> - -<p>A loud burst of applause followed this announcement.</p> - -<p>The speaker continued: “This gift would be many times -greater, if my means were equal to my sense of your courage -and your services. From some of you I have a favor to -ask. It is not expedient publicly to declare my plans; -but I may say that I shall need a few associates in them. -For these I shall not ask you, not because I am doubtful of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -raising them, but because I know that you would all offer -yourselves—”</p> - -<p>A roar of assent went up from the whole assembly.</p> - -<p>“I have already exercised the choice which in any case -I should have been compelled afterwards to make. Twelve -companions—more I am forbidden by circumstances to take—will -go with me. To the rest I say, ‘Farewell.’ The gods -grant that at some happier time we may again render our -service to Athens and to Greece. Till then, Farewell!”</p> - -<p>A loud answering cry of farewell went up from the men, -which was renewed again and again as the speaker entered -the room at the head of the staircase. Here the twelve -chosen associates were assembled, Callias and Hipparchus, -the messenger from the scene of the late conflict, making -up the number to fourteen. Alcibiades addressed them:</p> - -<p>“I have long since anticipated and prepared myself for -this misfortune which has now overtaken us, though the -blow has fallen more suddenly and more heavily than I had -feared. To you, my chosen friends, I reveal the counsels -which it would not have been expedient to publish to a -multitude. Briefly they are these: Lysander has conquered -by the help of the Persians, for had it not been for the -gold of Cyrus, his fleet could never have been kept together. -We also must go to the Persians for help. It is an evil necessity, -I confess, that makes free-born Greeks court the favor -of their slaves; but a necessity it is. And the time favors us -for using it. Cyrus covets the throne of Persia which he -claims against his elder brother Artaxerxes as having been -born after his father’s accession whereas Artaxerxes was -born before it. As Lysander, then, has used Cyrus against<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -us, so we must use Artaxerxes against Cyrus. ‘How,’ you -will ask, ‘is Artaxerxes to be approached?’ Through -Pharnabazus, the Satrap, with whom I have a warm friendship -of now some years’ standing. To Pharnabazus, therefore, -I now purpose to go. I shall demand of him that -which he will himself be most willing to grant—for he is no -friend to Cyrus—that he send me up to Susa. This Themistocles -did before me; but he, at least in word, went as the -enemy of his country, though indeed he was unwilling to -harm it. I shall go, both in word and in deed, as its friend. -And now for other things. For my most valuable possessions -I have prepared hiding-places. Much I shall leave to King -Seuthes, to whom I sent a message concerning my immediate -departure. This morning, my friends, I would ask you -to receive at my hands a year’s pay. Do not hesitate to receive -it; I can give it now, I may not be able so to do a year -hence. We will start this day at sunset. There is no time -to be lost. To-morrow, I doubt not, or the next day at the -latest, Lysander will be here.”</p> - -<p>With Callias, after the rest had departed to make preparations -for their departure, Alcibiades had some private conversation -as to the subject of ways and means.</p> - -<p>“You must let me be your banker,” he began by saying.</p> - -<p>Callias thanked him heartily, but declined to receive anything -more than would suffice for immediate needs.</p> - -<p>“You may as well take it,” returned his host, “there is a -good deal more here than I can take with me; and why -should you not? For myself, I carry most of my possessions -about with me in this fashion,”—and he showed a leather -purse filled with pearls and precious stones. “Gold is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -too cumbrous to carry in any quantity. This no man will -take as long as I am alive. Besides this, my worthy friend -Hippocles, who, as you know, is as trustworthy as the treasury -of Delphi, has most of my property in his hands. And, -if we once get safely to Pharnabazus, we need not trouble -any more about this matter. I must do the Persians the justice -to say that they are always open-handed. And they can -afford to be. It is not too much to say that for one talent -of gold that we have in Greece they have at least a hundred. -Any one who should have the ransacking of one of their -great treasure cities—and they have others besides Susa; -Babylon, for instance, and Persepolis and Pasargadæ—would -see something that would astonish them. And”—he added, -with a profound sigh—“if only things had gone straight, I -might have been the man.”</p> - -<p>The journey along the northern shore of the Propontis -was accomplished in safety. No Spartan ship had as yet -made its way so far eastward. At a little town on the -Asiatic shore Alcibiades provided his party with horses for -riding and serviceable mules for the conveyance of their -baggage and of such a selection of his own possessions as -he had thought it well to take with him. The old sailor -Hipparchus here wanted to leave them, and to make his -way to Byzantium, where he had relatives. The remainder -Alcibiades addressed before setting out, to the following -effect:</p> - -<p>“We have to make our way to Gordium in Phrygia, for it -is there that, if he keeps to his usual habits, we shall find the -Satrap Pharnabazus. He is accustomed to winter there. -But we shall not find it easy to get there. These Bithyn<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>ians -are not effeminate Asiatics, a hundred of whom will fly -before five stout Greeks. They are Thracians from the -other side of the sea, and we all know how hard are their -heads, and how strong their arms. We cannot force our -way through them; we must elude them if we can.”</p> - -<p>The route which the party followed lay for some time -within sight of the sea. This was commonly followed by -travellers, as the mountaineers seldom ventured within the -border of the maritime plain. When they had reached the -head of the Gulf of Olbia they struck inland. The road -usually followed would have taken them by the valley of -Sangarius, a river which divides the great chain of the -Mysian Olympus. Their guide strongly dissuaded them -from taking it. It was constantly watched, he said, by -the mountaineers. No one could hope to escape them, and -only a very strong party could force its way through. The -safest plan would be by certain paths which he knew, and -by which they might hope to cross Olympus unmolested. -Only hunters and shepherds know them, or a chance traveller -on foot for whom it would not be worth the robbers’ -while to wait. It was a toilsome and even dangerous journey. -The first snows of Autumn had began to fall, and even the -practical eye of the guide found it difficult to discover the -path, while the sufferings of the travellers, who had to -bivouac for several nights in the open air, with but scanty -fire to warm them, were exceedingly severe. Still, but for -one unlucky incident, it would have been accomplished in -safety. The party was now half-way down the southern -slopes of Olympus when they halted for the night at a roadside -inn, or rather caravansary. They found the large re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>ception -chamber—it contained two only—already occupied -by a party of the vagrant priests of Cybele. While Alcibiades -and Callias found accommodation, such as it was, in the -smaller room, the rest of the party were thrown upon the -hospitality of the priests, unless indeed, they chose to -bivouac outside. Unluckily, the priests were only too hospitable. -They invited the new comers to an entertainment -which was prolonged into a revel. During the passage of -the mountains the allowances of food had been small, and -for drink the party had had perforce to be satisfied with -the wayside springs or even with melted snow. When -they found themselves under shelter, in a room which was -at least weather-tight, and warmed with a blazing fire, -the sense of contrast tended to relax their powers of self-restraint. -The priests had roasted a couple of sheep, and -broached a cask of the heady wine of Mount Tmolus, with -which a wealthy devotee had presented them. This they -drank, and insisted on their guests drinking, unmixed. By -the time the mutton bones had been picked bare, and the -cask drained to its dregs, not a man out of the twelve was -sober. A heavy slumber, lasting late into the morning, was -the natural consequence of this debauch, and when the -sleepers were at last aroused, they set about the preparation -for a start in a very languid fashion. It was nearly noon before -the party was fairly on its way. Darkness came on before -the next stage could be reached. It was while the -travellers were bivouacking in a wholly unprotected situation -that a company of marauders, who had indeed been watching -their movements for some days in the hopes of finding -such an opportunity, fell upon them. The result was disas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>trous. -Alcibiades and Callias, who had been sleeping with -their horses picketed close to their camp fire, were roused by -the noise, and springing to their saddles made their escape. -Not one of their followers was equally fortunate. Some -were cut down in their sleep, others as they were endeavoring -to collect their senses. The sumpter-horses and their -burdens of course fell into the hands of the assailants. It -was only with what they carried on their own persons that -the two survivors of the party made their way about six -days afterward to the Satrap’s winter palace at Gordium.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> - -<small>ATHENS IN THE DUST.</small></h2> - - -<p>“I feel that my place is at Athens,” said Callias to his -host a few days after their arrival.</p> - -<p>“In spite of the past?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. At such a time no one thinks of the past, but only -of the future.”</p> - -<p>“Well; I cannot say that you are wrong. If you think -fit to go, I shall not seek to hold you back. I must frankly -say that I see little hope.”</p> - -<p>“And you?” Callias went on after a pause. “What shall -you do, if I may make so bold as to ask?”</p> - -<p>“If I can save my country at all, it will be here. The -only hope now is to detach Persia from Sparta. Perhaps -now that Athens has fallen so low, the Persians will see -what their true interests are. The worst of it is that there is -no real ruler, no one to carry out a consistent policy. The -great king is absolute at the capital, but in the provinces he -is little more than a name. The satraps do almost as they -please; they actually make war on each other if it suits their -purpose. So, it is not what is best for Persia, but what Tissaphernes -or Pharnabazus may think best for himself that -will be done. Still there is a chance left; only I must be on -the spot to seize it if it comes. Were I to go to Athens, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -should be only one man among a useless crowd, and you, -my young friend, will, I very much fear, be little more.”</p> - -<p>“Anyhow I shall go,” replied the young man, “at all -events there will be one sword more to be drawn for -Athens.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” muttered Alcibiades to himself, as his companion -left the room, “if you get the chance of drawing it. I -rather think that with that fox Lysander in command, -you will do nothing more for Athens than bring one more -mouth to be fed.”</p> - -<p>Callias made his way to the coast with no difficulty. Assuming, -at the suggestion of Alcibiades, a citizen’s dress, he -joined a caravan of traders which was on its way westward, -and in their company travelled pleasantly and safely. Arrived -at Miletus he took passage in a merchant ship that -was bound for Ægina, hoping if he could only get so far, to -be able to make his way somehow into the city. At one -time, indeed, he was terribly afraid that this hope would be -disappointed. The <i>Swallow</i>—this was the name of the vessel -of Ægina—was challenged and overhauled by a Corinthian -ship of war. Callias made no attempt to conceal his -nationality. Indeed it would have been useless, for an -Athenian in those days was about as easily recognized over -the whole of the Greek world as an Englishman is recognized -in these, anywhere in Europe. To his great surprise -the Corinthian captain simply said: “You can go; I have -no order to detain you.” That there was no kindness in -his permission Callias was perfectly well aware, for the -hatred of Corinth for Athens was tenfold more bitter than -that of Sparta.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was a quarrel between Athens and Corinth, on the -tender point of a rebellious Corinthian colony, that had been -the immediate cause of the Peloponnesian War; and even -before this there had always been the potent influence of -commercial rivalry to set the two states against each other. -The young Athenian noticed also a sinister smile on the captain’s -face; but what it meant he was at a loss to determine.</p> - -<p>Landed at Ægina he lost no time in enquiring how he -might best reach his destination.</p> - -<p>“Oh! you will get in easily enough,” said the Æginetan -merchant, the owner of the <i>Swallow</i>, to whom he stated -his case.</p> - -<p>“Is not the city blockaded then?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, in a way,” replied the man.</p> - -<p>“Please to explain what you mean,” said Callias, who -was getting a little heated by these mysterious remarks.</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the merchant, “King Pausanias is encamped -outside the city in some place that they call the Grove of -Academus, I think. Do you know it?”</p> - -<p>Callias assented with a nod.</p> - -<p>“And Lysander has a hundred and fifty ships off the -Piraeus. Still I think that you will be able to get in. The -blockade is not kept very strictly.”</p> - -<p>“Had I best go by night?”</p> - -<p>“Perhaps it would be better.”</p> - -<p>“Can you help me to a boat?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly; but you will have to pay the boatman pretty -highly, for, of course, it is a risk, though it can be done.”</p> - -<p>“Will you make the arrangements if I pay you the money -in advance?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“Certainly, if you do not mind going so far as a <i>mina</i>. It -is really worth the money.”</p> - -<p>Callias paid the money, and was told to be in readiness to -embark at midnight.</p> - -<p>It would have enlightened him considerably if he could -have seen the merchant’s behavior as soon as he was safely -out of the room.</p> - -<p>“Ah, you young serpent,” the man cried, “you will be allowed -to creep into your hole easily enough; but if we don’t -suffocate you and your whole brood when we have got you -there, my name is not Timagenes.”</p> - -<p>The fact was that a revolution of which Callias knew -nothing had taken place at Ægina. An old rival and enemy -of Athens, the city had been conquered many years before, -and the anti-Athenian party expelled. And now everything -was changed. Lysander had brought back the exiles, -and though Athens had still friends, it was the hostile -party that was in power. Callias had observed a certain -change in the demeanor of the people, but was too much -engrossed in his own affairs to think much about it.</p> - -<p>The blockade was run as easily as the Æginetan had foretold. -The boat passed within fifty yards of one of the -squadron, and Callias could have sworn that he saw a -sentinel on the watch pacing the vessel’s deck. But the -man did not challenge, and the Piraeus was reached without -any difficulty.</p> - -<p>It was not long before all the mystery was explained.</p> - -<p>“This is just what I feared,” said Hippocles, to whose -house the young Athenian hastened. “I knew that you -would come back, and I could not warn you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean,” cried the young man in astonishment. -“Was it not my duty to return?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, in one way it was. But tell me how you got here?”</p> - -<p>Callias related the incidents of his journey, and expressed -some surprise that the Corinthian captain had not taken -him prisoner, and that the blockade was so negligently -kept.</p> - -<p>“And you did not understand what all this meant?”</p> - -<p>“No; I understood nothing.”</p> - -<p>“My dear friend,” said the merchant, “it simply means -that Lysander is going to starve us out, and that the more -there are of us the easier and the speedier his work will be. -This has been his policy all along. He has taken no prisoners. -Whenever he has taken a city, and there is hardly one -that has not either been taken or given itself up, he has sent -every Athenian citizen home. They are simply put -on their parole to come here. The consequence is that the -city is fairly swarming with people, and that there is next -to no food. I have a good store—for some time past I have -kept myself well provisioned, not knowing what might -happen—and I am able to do something for my poor neighbors. -But the state of things in the city is simply awful. -People, and people too whom I know as really well-to-do -citizens, are dying of sheer starvation. As for the poor -women and children it is truly heart breaking. Oh, my -dear friend, if you had only stopped away; for here you can -do nothing. But I knew you would come back, and I honor -you for it.”</p> - -<p>“But can nothing be done?” cried the young man. “It -is better to die than be starved like a wolf in his den.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“The people have lost all heart. And indeed, if they -were all brave as lions, we are hopelessly outnumbered. -Pausanias must have as many as forty thousand men outside -the city, for every city in the Island<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> except Argos, -has sent its contingent; and we could not muster a fourth -part of the number, and such troops too! And where is -our fleet? At the bottom of the Ægean, or in the arsenals -of the enemy. I do not suppose that there are fifty ships, -all told, in our docks. And of these a third are not sea-worthy. -No, we must submit; and yet it is almost as much -as a man’s life is worth to mention the word.”</p> - -<p>“But could we not make terms of some kind, not good -terms I fear, but still such as would be endurable? Has -anything been done?”</p> - -<p>“The Senate sent to Agis, who was at Deccleia,<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> and proposed -peace on these terms: Athens was to become the ally -of Sparta on the condition of having the same friends and the -same enemies, but was to be allowed to keep the Long -Walls<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> and the Piraeus. Agis said that he had no authority -to treat, and bade the envoys go to Sparta. So they came -back here, and were directed to go. They reached a place -on the borders of Laconia and sent on their message to the -ephors at Sparta, not being allowed to proceed any further -themselves. The ephors sent back this answer: ‘Begone -instantly; if the Athenians really desire peace, let them -send you again with other proposals, such as having re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>flected -more wisely they may be disposed to make.’ So -the envoys returned. Some had hoped that they would do -some good. I must confess that I had not. There was -terrible dismay. At last one Archistratus plucked up -courage to speak. ‘The Lacedaemonians can force us to -accept what conditions they please. Let us acknowledge -what we cannot deny, and make peace with them on their -own terms.’ There was a howl of rage at this, for in truth -the Lacedaemonian terms were nothing less than this: -‘Pull down a mile of the Long Walls, and give up your -fleet.’ The unlucky Archistratus was thrown into prison -where he lies still. Well, one said one thing, one another. -At last Theramenes got up and said: ‘The real manager of -affairs is neither Agis nor Pausanias, nor even the Ephors, -but Lysander. Send me to him—he is a personal friend of -mine own—and I will make the best terms I can with him.’ -To this the assembly agreed, having indeed nothing better -to do. That was three or four days ago. Theramenes -started the same night. I very much doubt whether -he will be able to do any good. I am not even sure that he -means to. But we shall see.”</p> - -<p>A miserable period of waiting followed. Day after day -passed, and the envoy neither returned nor sent any communication -to his fellow countrymen. No one knew where -he was. Whether he was still with Lysander or had gone -on to Sparta—all was a mystery. Meanwhile the distress in -the city grew more and more acute. Callias had taken up -his abode with Hippocles, and was so out of absolute want. -He was perfectly ready to acquiesce in the extreme frugality -which was the rule of the house. Free and bond all fared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> -alike, and none had anything beyond the most absolute -necessaries of life. Whatever could be spared was devoted -to the relief of the needy.</p> - -<p>Not the least trying part of the situation was the forced -inaction. Not even a sally was made. Indeed, it would -have been a useless waste of life. Not only were the forces -of the enemy vastly superior, but the besieged soldiers were -almost unable to support the weight of their arms, so scanty -was the fare to which they were reduced. There were -times when Callias was disposed to rush sword in hand on -some outpost of the enemy, sell his life as dearly as he could, -and perish.</p> - -<p>Two things held him back from carrying this idea into -execution, things curiously unlike, yet working together -for the same result. One was his love for Hermione. Life -had not lost all its charm, his horizon was not wholly dark, -while there remained the light of this hope. Indeed it was -the one consolation of his life that he was permitted to help -her in her daily ministration among her needy neighbors. -A string of pensioners presented themselves at the -merchant’s gates, and received such relief as he could give. -But Hermione was not content with this. There were some, -she knew, whose pride would not permit them to mingle in -the train of mendicants; there were others whose strength -did not permit them to come abroad. These she sought out -in their own homes. Callias found a melancholy pleasure -in accompanying and helping her. Not a word of love -passed his lips. He would have scorned himself if he had -added the smallest grain to the burden of care that she bore. -But he never failed in his attendance, and he was hailed by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -many a poor sufferer with a pleasure only second to that -which greeted the gracious presence of the girl. When, as -happened before long, fever the unfailing follower of -famine, began to spread its ravages over the Piraeus, his -labors and hers grew more arduous. Battling with these -two fearful enemies within the walls, Callias almost forgot -the foes that were without.</p> - -<p>The other restraining and strengthening influence was -that which Socrates exercised on the young man’s mind. -All the time that Callias could spare from the labors that he -shared with Hermione was given to the society of the philosopher. -The sage’s indomitable courage and endurance -were in themselves an encouragement of the highest order. -Doubtless his physical strength, which made him capable of -bearing an almost incredible degree of cold and hunger, -helped him to show a dauntless heart to the troubles which -were breaking down so many. Indeed he seemed scarcely -to want food or drink. But the steadfastness with -which he pursued his usual course of life, still keeping up -his untiring search for wisdom was a spectacle nothing less -than splendid, while nothing could exceed his practical sagacity. -Anyone who wanted shrewd advice in the actual -circumstances of life, anyone who desired to be lifted out of -the sordid present, with its miserable hopes and cares, on to -a higher plane of life, came to Socrates and did not come in -vain.</p> - -<p>At length, when nearly three months had passed, the -long period of suspense seemed about to come to an end. -The report ran through the city that Theramenes had returned. -What were the terms he had brought back, no one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> -knew. On that point he remained obstinately silent. In -fact he had nothing to say, nothing further, that is, than -the fact that Lysander professed himself unable to treat; -the Ephors must be approached, if anything was to be -done.</p> - -<p>Had Lysander amused him with hopes that instructions -and power to treat would soon be sent down to him from -Sparta, or had he deliberately waited till the city should -be reduced to such a pitch of starvation that it would be -ready to consent to any terms? There was a brutal, cold-blooded -cruelty in such conduct that makes it difficult to -credit; yet many believed it to be the true explanation of -the delay.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> To picture the dismay that prevailed through -the assembly when Theramenes had given his report of the -negotiations which he had <i>not</i> concluded would be impossible. -There was nothing to be done but accept the bitter necessity. -Theramenes, with nine others, was sent to Sparta -with full power to treat. They were to accept any terms -that might be offered. The proud city had fallen as low as -that.</p> - -<p>Then came another time of waiting. Happily it was not -long. Theramenes felt that the endurance of his countrymen -had been tried to the uttermost, and that nothing more -was to be gained. Athens was on her knees. It did not -suit him and his purposes—for he had purposes of his own, -possibly a tyranny, certainly power—that she should be -actually prostrate. He and his colleagues made all the -haste that they could; and as their instructions were -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -simple—to accept anything that might be offered—there -was little to delay them.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1024px;"> -<img src="images/i_183.jpg" width="1024" height="761" alt="THE PARTHENON AT THE PRESENT DAY." title="" /> -<span class="caption">THE PARTHENON AT THE PRESENT DAY.</span> -</div> - -<p>At the end of about twelve days they returned. It was -in the midst of a breathless suspense that Theramenes stood -up to make his report. What he said may be thus given in -outline.</p> - -<p>“We went with all speed to Sellasia<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> and there waited, -having sent on a message to the Ephors that we had come -with full power to treat. On the second day we were summoned -to Sparta. There we found envoys assembled from -the allies of the Lacedaemonians. Aristides also was there.</p> - -<p>“At the mention of the name of Aristides a murmur of fear -and rage ran through the assembly. The man was one of -the most notorious of the anti-patriotic party. He had -been in exile for many years, and was believed to have done -more harm than any one else to his native city.</p> - -<p>“The senior of the Ephors stood up, and said: ‘Friends -and allies, the Athenians seek for peace. What say you? -Shall we grant it to them?’ One after another the envoys -rose in their places. They did not use many words. It was -not the custom of the place to be long in speech as they -knew. All said the same thing. ‘We give our vote against -peace. Let Athens be destroyed. There will be no true -peace so long as she is permitted to exist.’ When all had -spoken we were called on to speak. ‘You hear what these -say,’ said the Ephor who had not spoken before. ‘What -have you to reply?’ I answered that the Athenians were -ready to give all pledges that might be asked from them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -that they would not harm either Sparta or her allies -or any city of the Greeks. After this we were all commanded -to withdraw. In about the space of an hour we -were summoned again into the chamber. The Ephor rose -in his place and spoke. ‘The Corinthians and the other -allies demand that Athens should be destroyed. Nor do -they this without reason. The Athenians have destroyed -many cities of the Greeks. Yet can we not forget that they -have also in time past done good service to Greece. But of -these things which you all know it is needless to speak. Our -sentence is this: Let the Athenians pull down their Long -Walls for the space of a mile. Let them also surrender -their fleet, keeping only twelve ships. On these terms they -shall have peace. These then, O men of Athens,’ the speaker -continued, ‘are the conditions which the Spartans demand. -I confess that they are hard. Yet they are better -than those which the rest of Greece would impose upon you. -Truly the Lacedaemonians stand between us and utter destruction. -And there is nothing beyond remedy in what -they would lay upon us. Walls that are broken down may -be repaired, and for ships that have been given up many -others may be built; but of a city against which the decree -of destruction has gone forth, there is an end. Therefore I -propose that peace be made with the Lacedaemonians on -these terms.’</p> - -<p>“One or two speakers ventured to rise in opposition. But -they could scarcely get a hearing. Probably they only -went through the form of opposing in order that they might -be able at some future time to say that they had done so. -With but short delay the proposition was put to the vote<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> -and carried by an overwhelming majority. The same evening -envoys were sent to Lysander announcing that the -Spartan conditions had been accepted.</p> - -<p>“The next day the gates of the city were thrown open, and -the fleet of Lysander sailed into the Piraeus. The ships of -war were handed over to him. Many were destroyed, and -indeed the once famous and powerful fleet of Atticus had -been reduced to a state of most deplorable weakness. The -sacrifice of the fleet, such as it was, was not so very costly -after all. The few sea-worthy ships that remained, besides -the twelve that the city was permitted to retain, were sent off -to the Lacedaemonian arsenal of Gytheum. This done, -the next thing was to beat down the Long Walls. ‘This -is the first day of the freedom of Greece,’ said Lysander, -‘we must keep it as a festival. Send for the flute players.’ -Accordingly the services of every flute player in Attica -were requisitioned; and to the sound of the gayest tunes -which they could find in their <i>repertoire</i> the work of demolition -went on. Every decent Athenian whatever his -policy, kept, of course, close within doors; but there was -nevertheless a vast concourse of spectators, the rabble who -will crowd to any sight, however brutal and humiliating, -the army of Pausanias and the crews of Lysander’s fleet, -with a miscellaneous crowd of foreigners who had come to -gloat over the downfall of the haughty city. Loud was the -shout that went up when a clean breach was made through -the walls. The general feeling was that Athens had suffered -a blow from which she could never recover. But -there were some who doubted. ‘You have scratched the -snake, not killed it,’ said a Corinthian, as he turned away.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - -<small>“NOBLESSE OBLIGE.”</small></h2> - - -<p>Some fourteen or fifteen days have passed since the humiliation -of Athens was completed. To have come to the -end, bitter as it was, was in one way a relief. To know the -worst always brings a certain comfort, and that worst -might have been, was, in fact, very near being far more -terrible than what actually happened. Then there was a -great material relief. The pressure of famine was removed. -Supplies poured plentifully into Athens, for the city, in spite -of all its sacrifices and losses, was still rich. If fever still -remained—it always lingers a while after its precursor, -hunger, has departed—it was now possible to cope with it -effectually. And then, last not least, it was the delightful -season of spring. The Athenians could once more enjoy the -delights of that country life from which they had been shut -out so long, but which they had never ceased to love. -Attica, indeed, had suffered sadly from the presence, repeated -year after year, of the invading host; but it had suffered -less than might have been expected. The olive yards in particular, -had not been touched. A religious feeling had forbidden -any injury to a tree which was supposed to be under the -special protection of the patron goddess of the land. The -sacred groves also of the heroes, that were scattered about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -the country, had not been harmed. Not a few houses with -their gardens had been saved by having served as residences -for officers high in command in the Peloponnesian army. -And now Nature, the restorer, was busy in the genial season -of growth in healing or at least hiding the wounds that -had been made by the ravages of war.</p> - -<p>“What do you say to a trip to Marathon?” said Hippocles -one day, to his daughter and Callias. “You both of -you look as if a little fresh air would do you good.”</p> - -<p>“An excellent idea,” cried Hermione, clapping her hands, -“it is years since I have seen the place.”</p> - -<p>“What say you, Callias?” said Hippocles, turning to the -young man.</p> - -<p>Callias was only too glad to join any expedition when he -was to have the company of Hermione. He did not give -this reason, but he assented to the proposal very heartily.</p> - -<p>“But, father, how shall we go?” said Hermione. “There -is scarcely a horse to be found, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Why not go by sea?” was her father’s reply. “I have -a pinnace which would just suit us. We will go to-morrow -if the weather holds fine, stop the first night at Sunium, -and the second at Marathon. At Sunium there is my villa, -and at Marathon there is a little house of which I can get -the use, and which will serve us if we do not mind roughing -it a little. We can return the next day. Only we must -take provisions, for except such fish as we may catch in the -Marathon stream, and possibly, some goats’ milk, if -all the goats have not been eaten up, we shall have -nothing but what we bring. That must be your care, -Hermione.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“Trust me, father,” cried the girl joyously. “If you -have gone through four months’ famine, depend upon it -you shall not be starved now.”</p> - -<p>The weather on the following day was all that could be -desired. A warm and gentle west wind was blowing. -This served them very well as they sailed southward to -Sunium. In such good time did they reach the promontory, -that by unanimous vote they agreed to finish their -journey that same day. Sailing northward was as easy -as sailing southward, and the sun was still an hour -from setting when they reached the northern end of the -plain, having travelled a distance of upwards of sixty miles. -This was about four times as far as they would have had to -go, had they made the journey by land. No one, however, -regretted having followed Hippocles’ suggestion. The -voyage was indeed as delightful an excursion as could have -been devised. The deep blue sky overhead, the sea, borrowing -from the heavens a color as intense, and only touched -here and there with a speck of white where a little wave -swelled and broke, sea birds now flying high in the air, now -darting for their prey into the waters, the white cliffs -tipped with the fresh green of spring that framed the coast -line, made a picture that the party intensely enjoyed, although -they did not put their enjoyment into words with -the fluency and ease which would have come readily to a -modern. The ancients loved nature, but, as a rule, they felt -this love much more than they expressed it.</p> - -<p>The little house at Marathon was one that had escaped -destruction by having been occupied by a Spartan -officer. It was bare indeed of furniture, but it was habitable;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -and the party had brought with them the few things -that were absolutely necessary, far fewer, we must remember, -than what we now consider to be indispensable. Supper -was felt by all to be a most enjoyable meal. The room in -which they sat was bare, for, of course, the luxurious -couches on which it was the fashion to recline were absent. -There was not even a table, and there was but one -broken chair, which was naturally resigned to Hermione. -But it was lightened with a cheerful fire, which was not unwelcome -after seven or eight hours’ exposure to a high wind. -Happily the late occupant had left a store of logs, which had -been cut on the slopes of Pentelicus in the previous autumn, -and which now blazed up most cheerfully. The meal was declared -by both Hippocles and Callias to be good enough for -a State-banquet in the Prytaneum. One of the sailors had -caught a basketful of fish in the stream, and these Hermione -had cooked with her own hands. An Athenian who -had plenty of fish, seldom wanted anything in the -way of flesh, and the provisions which Hermione, not -liking to trust to the skill or the luck of the anglers had -brought with her, were not touched. A cold maize pudding, -some of the famous Attic figs, which had been preserved -through the winter, bread with honey from Hymettus, and -dried grapes completed the repast. Some of the goats, it -turned out, had survived, and a jug of their milk was forthcoming -for Hermione. The two men had a flask of wine -which they largely diluted with water. When, after the -libation, Hippocles proposed the toast of the evening, as, in -consideration of the locality it might fairly be called, “To -the memory of the Heroes of Marathon,” Hermione honored<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> -it by putting her lips to the cup. It was the first time -that wine had ever passed them, but she could not -refuse this tribute to the chief glory of the city of her -adoption.</p> - -<p>Hermione, fatigued, it may be said, with all the delights -of the day, retired early to rest. Soon after she had gone -Callias took the opportunity of opening his heart to his companion -on a subject which had long occupied his thoughts.</p> - -<p>“We have peace at last,” he said, “not such a peace as I -had ever hoped for, but still better than the utter ruin -which lately I had begun to fear. A good citizen may now -begin to think of himself and of his own happiness. You, -sir, can hardly have failed to observe why I have begun to -look for that happiness. If your daughter will only consent -to share my life, I feel that I shall have to ask the gods for -nothing more. She is free as far as I know. And me you -have known from my childhood. You were my father’s -friend and since he died you have stood in his place. Can -you give her to me?”</p> - -<p>Hippocles caught his young companion’s hand, and gave -it a hearty grasp.</p> - -<p>“I will not pretend,” he said, “not to have observed -something of what you say; nor will I deny that I have observed -it with pleasure. What father would not be glad if -Callias, the son of Hipponicus, loved his daughter? Of Hermione’s -feelings I say nothing, indeed I know nothing, save -that she has regarded you since childhood with a strong affection, -and that as you say she is free. But there are facts -which neither you nor I can forget; and the chief of them is -this, that while you are Callias, son of Hipponicus, an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> -Eupatrid of the Eupatrids,<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> I am Hippocles, the Alien. I -am well-born in my own country, but that is nothing here. -I am wealthy—so wealthy that I care not a single drachma -whether my future son-in-law has a thousand talents for his -patrimony or one. I am, I hope and believe, not without -honor in the city of my adoption. But I am an alien, my -child is an alien. Whether you have thought of all that -this means I know not—love is apt to hide these difficulties -from a man’s eyes—but the fact must be faced; you and -my daughter must face it. You speak of my giving her to -you. But, if Hermione is a Greek, she is also an Italian. -The Italian women choose for themselves. I could not if -I would constrain her will. She must decide, and she must -answer.”</p> - -<p>“There is nothing that I should desire better. But you -do not tell me, sir, what you yourself wish. Have I your -consent and your good wishes?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Hippocles, “you have. I have thought over -the difficulties, for I foresaw that you would some day -speak to me on this subject. As far as I am concerned I am -ready to waive them. But then, they do not concern me -in the first place.”</p> - -<p>The two men sat in silence for some time after this -conversation had passed between them, buried each of -them in his own thoughts. At last Hippocles rose from his -seat.</p> - -<p>“It is time to sleep,” he said; “I will speak to my daughter -to-morrow; you shall not want my good word, but I can -do nothing more. You must speak to her yourself. That<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -is, I think, what few fathers in Greece would tell a suitor to -do. But then Hermione is not as other maidens.”</p> - -<p>Callias passed a restless night, and was glad, to make -his way into the open air when the first streaks of dawn appeared -on the Eubœan hills, which were in full view from -the house. He shrank from meeting Hermione till he could -meet her alone, and ask the momentous question which was -occupying his whole mind. Partly to employ the time, -partly to banish thought, if it might be done by severe -bodily exercise, he started to climb the height of Pentelicus, -which rose on the southern side of the Marathonian plain. -The excursion occupied him the whole morning. On his -way back he traversed the hills which skirted the western -side of the plain, and, following what was evidently a well-beaten -track, came at last in view of the mound under -which reposed the Athenian dead who had fallen in that -great battle. His quick eye soon perceived a familiar figure, -conspicuous in its white garments among the monuments -which stood on the top of the mound. Hippocles had fulfilled -his promise, and had said all that he could to Hermione -in favor of her suitor. He had dwelt upon his noble -birth, the reputation as a soldier which he had already won, -his culture and taste for philosophy, and his blameless life. -“As for wealth,” he ended by saying, “that is of little account -where my daughter is concerned. Yet a man should -be independent of his wife, and I may tell you as one who -knows—and I have had charge of his property for some -years past—that Callias is one of the richest men in Athens. -That will not weigh with you I know, but I would have -you know all the circumstances.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>Hermione said nothing; she took her father’s hand and -kissed it. A tear dropped on it as she raised it to her lips. -As she turned away, Hippocles noticed that she was shaken -by a sob.</p> - -<p>An instinct in the girl’s heart told her that it was on the -mound that her lover would speak to her, and it was here -that she wished to give her answer to him. It was not the -first time that she had visited it. Indeed there was not a -woman, and not many men in Athens who knew so much -about its records.</p> - -<p>On the top of this tumulus, which still rises thirty feet -above the surrounding plain, and which was then, it is -probable, considerably higher, there stood in those days -eleven stone columns inscribed with the names of those who -had fallen in the great battle. Each of the ten Athenian -tribes had its own peculiar column, while the eleventh commemorated -the gallant men of Plataea, Plataea, which -alone among the cities of Greece, had sent her sons on that -day to stand shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers of -Athens.</p> - -<p>Hermione was apparently engrossed in the task of deciphering -the names, now grown somewhat obliterated by -time, which were engraved on one of the columns. So intent -was she on this occupation that she did not notice the -young man’s approach. Turning suddenly round, she -faced him. At that moment, though she had expected him -to come, his actual coming was a surprise, and the hot blood -crimsoned her face and neck.</p> - -<p>“Hermione,” he said, “I have spoken to your father, and -he bids me speak to you. You can hardly have failed to read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> -my heart, and if I have not spoken to you before, it has been -because I have not presumed. You know all that needs be -known about me, and though I do not think myself worthy -of you, I need not be ashamed of my fathers or of myself.”</p> - -<p>The brilliant color had faded from the girl’s cheek, her -hand trembled, her bosom heaved. Twice she opened her -lips; twice the voice seemed to fail her. At last she spoke.</p> - -<p>“You speak of your fathers. You are, I think, of the -tribe of Pandion?”</p> - -<p>“I am,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“And this is the column of their tribe, and this”—she -pointed as she spoke—“the name of an ancestor of yours?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the young man, “this Hipponicus whose -name you see engraved here was my great grandfather.”</p> - -<p>“He had been Archon at Athens the year before the -great battle. You see,” she added with a faint smile, “I -know something of your family history.”</p> - -<p>“It was so.”</p> - -<p>“And his son, a Callias like yourself, was Archon general -many times—held, in fact, every honor that Athens -could bestow?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, there was no more distinguished man in the city -than he.”</p> - -<p>“And your father; he died, I think I have heard, in early -manhood; but he was already far advanced in the career of -honor?”</p> - -<p>“Doubtless had he lived he would not have been inferior -in distinction to my grandfather.”</p> - -<p>“And you have started well in the same course? I need -not ask you that. We all know it better, perhaps, than you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> -know it yourself, and we are proud of it. My dear brother,” -the girl’s voice which hitherto had been clear and even -commanding in its tones, faltered at the mention of the -dead, “my dear brother used to say that there was -nothing that you might not hope for, nothing to which you -might not rise.”</p> - -<p>“You speak too well of me; but I hope that I am not altogether -unworthy of my ancestors.”</p> - -<p>The girl paused for a while. She seemed unable to utter -what she had next to say. The flush mounted again to her -cheek, and she stood silent and with downcast eyes.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the young man stood in utter perplexity. He -had heard nothing from the girl’s lips but what might -have made any man proud to hear. She knew, as she had -said, the history of his race, and she believed him to be not -unworthy of it. Yet this was not the way in which he had -hoped to hear her speak. He was conscious that there was -something behind that did not promise well for his hopes.</p> - -<p>At last she went on. Her voice was low but distinct, her -eyes were still bent on the ground.</p> - -<p>“And what your fathers have been in Athens, what you -hope to be yourself, you would have your son to be after -you?”</p> - -<p>“Surely,” he answered without thinking of what he was -admitting.</p> - -<p>“Could it be so if I—” she altered the phrase—“if a -woman not of Athenian blood were his mother?”</p> - -<p>He was struck dumb. So this was the end she had before -her when she enumerated the honors and distinctions of his -race.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Mind,” she said, “I do not say that my race is unworthy -of yours. I am not ashamed of my ancestors. They were -chiefs; they were good men. I am proud to be their daughter. -But here in Athens their goodness and their nobility goes -for nothing. I am Hermione, the daughter of Hippocles, -the Alien. Marrying me you shut out, not perhaps yourself, -but your children from the career which is their inheritance. -I am too proud,”—and here the girl dropped -her voice to a whisper,—“and I love you too well for that.”</p> - -<p>“What is my career to your love?” cried the young man -passionately; “I am ready to give up country and all for -that.”</p> - -<p>“That,” said Hermione, “is the only unworthy thing -that I ever heard you say. Your better thoughts will make -you withdraw it. Athens has fallen; the gods know that -it has wrung my heart to see it. But she needs all the more -such sons as you are. She has little now to offer. It is a -thankless office, perhaps, to command her fleets and armies. -All the more honor to those who cling to her still and cherish -her still. You must not leave her or betray her. I -should think foul shame of myself if I tempted you for a -moment to waver in your loyalty to her. I may not love -you—that the gods have forbidden me—but you will let me -be proud of you.”</p> - -<p>The young man turned away. The final word, he knew, -had been spoken. This resolution was not to be shaken by -indignant reproaches or by tender pleadings. All that remained -was to forget, if that was possible. He would not -see Hippocles or his daughter again till the wound of this -bitter disappointment had had time to heal. Returning to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> -the house, which he found empty but for a single attendant, -he snatched a hasty meal, and then set out to return over-land -to Athens.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - -<small>THE END OF ALCIBIADES.</small></h2> - - -<p>Three days after the events recorded in the last chapter—it -took so much time for the young man to screw up his -courage to the point—Callias made his way to the ship-yard -of Hippocles at an hour when he knew that he would be -pretty certain to find the master there. He was not disappointed, -nor could he help being touched by the warm sympathy -with which he was received.</p> - -<p>“Ah! my dear friend,” cried the merchant, “this has -been a great disappointment to me. I must own that I had -my fears. I know something, you see, of my daughter’s -temper. I knew that she had always chafed under our -disabilities. Things that have ceased to trouble me—and I -must own that they never troubled me much—are grievous -to her. You see that I have a power of my own which is -quite enough to satisfy any reasonable man. I can’t speak -or vote in your assembly, but I have a voice, if I choose to -use it, in your policy. She knows very little about this, and -would not appreciate it if she did. Besides it would not -avail her. No; she feels herself an inferior here, and it galls -her; yet that is scarcely the way to put it, for she was thinking -much more of you than of herself. I believe that she loves -you—she has not confided in me, you must understand,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -but I guess as much—and she would sooner cut off her -right hand than injure you or yours. And then her pride -comes in also. ‘Am I, daughter of kings as I am,’ she -says to herself, ‘am I to be one to bring humiliation into -an ancient house?’ Her mother’s forefathers would be -called barbarians here, but they were kings and heroes for -all that. And that is the bitterness of it to her: to feel herself -your equal in birth, and yet to know that to marry you -would be to drag you down.”</p> - -<p>“I understand,” said Callias, “it is noble; but just now -my heart rebels very loudly against it. Let us say no more. -I have come to ask you what you would advise. For the -present I cannot stay at Athens.”</p> - -<p>“That,” said Hippocles, “is exactly what I wanted to -talk to you about; if you had not come to-day I should have -sought for you. You wish to leave Athens, you say. It is -well, for it would not be safe for you to stay. We shall have -a bad time in Athens for the next few months, perhaps for -longer. The exiles have come back full of rage and thirsting -for revenge. And then there is Theramenes; he is the man -you have to fear. He has the murder of the generals on his -soul. That, perhaps, would not trouble him much but he -fears all who might be disposed to call him to account for it. -He knows that you were the kinsman and dear friend of -Diomedon, and he will take the first opportunity that may -occur of doing you a mischief. And opportunities will not -be wanting. I suspect that for some time to come, with the -Oligarchs in power and the Lacedaemonians to back them -up, laws and constitutional forms will not go for much in -Athens.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“And you advise me to go?” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“Certainly there is nothing to keep you. For the present -there is no career for you here. I don’t despair of Athens; -but for some time to come she will have a very humble part -to play.”</p> - -<p>“Have you anything to suggest?”</p> - -<p>“I have been thinking over it for two or three days. -Many things have occurred to me, but nothing so good as -was suggested by a letter which I received this morning. -It came from a merchant in Rhodes with whom I have had -dealings for some years past. My correspondent asks for a -large advance in money for a commercial speculation which -he says promises large profits. I have always found the -man honest; in fact the outcomes of my dealings with him -in the past have been quite satisfactory. But this new -venture that he proposes is a very large one indeed. I like -what he tells me of it. It opens up quite a new field of -enterprise; and new fields, I need hardly tell you, have a -great charm for a man in my position. The ordinary routine -of commerce does not interest me very much; but -something new is very attractive. Now I want you to go -to Rhodes for me. Make all the enquiries you can about -the character and standing of my correspondent, whom, -curiously enough, I have never seen. I will give you introductions -to those who will put you in the way of -hearing all that is to be heard. If the man’s credit -is shaky at all, then I shall know that this proposition -of his is a desperate venture. If all is sound, I shall feel -pretty sure that he has got hold of a really good -thing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“I know very little of such matters,” said the young Callias -after a pause.</p> - -<p>“I do not ask you to go that you may judge of this particular -enterprise; I simply want you to find out what people -are saying about Diagoras—that is my correspondent’s -name; you will be simply an Athenian gentleman on his -travels. Keep your ears open and you will be sure to hear -something.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Callias, “I will do my best; but don’t expect -too much.”</p> - -<p>“Can you start to-morrow?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, if you think it necessary.”</p> - -<p>“Well, my affair is not urgent for some days, at least. -But for yourself, I fancy you cannot get out of the way too -soon. I don’t think that Theramenes and his friends will -stick much at forms and ceremonies. I own that I shall -feel much happier when there are two or three hundred -miles of sea between you and them. Be here an hour after -sunset to-morrow. By that time I shall have arranged for -your passage and got ready your letters of introduction and -the rest of it.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the young man to himself as he went to -make his preparations for departure, “this, it must be confessed, -is a little hard on me. Hermione says, ‘Stop in -Athens and stick to your career’; her father says, ‘If you stop -in Athens you are as good as a dead man, and your career will -be cut short by the hemlock cup.’ I have to give up my -love for my career and then give up my career for my life.”</p> - -<p>It is needless to relate the incidents of my hero’s voyage -to Rhodes or of his stay on that island. His special mission<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> -he was able to accomplish easily enough. Diagoras’ speculation -was, as he soon found out, the last resource of an embarrassed -man; and the loan for which he asked would be a -risk too great for any prudent person to undertake. The letter -in which he communicated what he had heard to Hippocles -was crossed by one from Athens. From this he learned that -the political anticipations of the merchant had been more -than fulfilled. The oligarchical revolution had been carried -on with the most outrageous violence. On the very day on -which he had left Athens, an officer of the government had -come with an order for his arrest.</p> - -<p>All this was interesting; still more so was a brief communication -from Alcibiades which the merchant enclosed. -It ran thus:</p> - -<p>“Alcibiades to Callias son of Hipponicus, greeting. Great -things are possible now to the bold of whom I know you to -be one. More I do not say, but come to me as soon as you -can. Farewell.”</p> - -<p>The merchant had added a postscript. “I leave this for -your consideration. Alcibiades has a certain knack of success. -But the risk will be great.”</p> - -<p>“What is risk to me?” said Callias, “I can’t spend my -life idling here.”</p> - -<p>The next day he left the island, taking his passage in a -merchant ship which, by great good luck was just starting -for Smyrna. Smyrna was reached without any mishap. -Four days afterwards, he started with a guide for the little -village in Phrygia from which Alcibiades had dated his -note. Halting at noon on the first day’s journey to rest -their horses, they were accosted by a miserable looking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -wayfarer, who begged for some scraps of food, declaring -that he had not broken his fast for four and twenty hours. -Something in the man’s voice and face struck Callias as familiar, -and he puzzled in vain for a solution of the -mystery, while the stranger sat eagerly devouring the meal -with which he had been furnished.</p> - -<p>“Here,” said Callias, when the man had finished his repast -and was thanking him, “here is something to help you -along till you can find friends or employment.” And he -gave him four or five silver pieces.</p> - -<p>It was the first time he had spoken in the fugitive’s hearing, -and the man, who, now that his ravenous hunger was -appeased, had leisure to notice other things, started at the -sound of his voice. He, on his part, seemed to recognize -something.</p> - -<p>“Many thanks, sir,” he said; “the gods pay you back -ten-fold. But surely,” he went on, “I have seen you before. -Ah! now I remember. You are Callias the son of -Hipponicus, and you were my master’s guest in Thrace.”</p> - -<p>A light flashed on the young Athenian’s mind. The man -had been one of Alcibiades’ attendants in his Thracian castle.</p> - -<p>“Ah! I remember,” he cried, “and your master was Alcibiades. -But what do you here? How does he fare?”</p> - -<p>The man burst into tears. “Ah, sir, he is dead, cruelly -killed by those villains of Spartans. He was the very best -of masters. I never had a rough word from him. We all -loved him.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me,” said Callias, “how it happened. I was on my -way to him,” and he read to the man the brief note that had -been forwarded to him at Rhodes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes, I understand. I know when that was written. He -had great hopes of being able to do something. I did not -rightly understand what it was, but the common talk -among us who were of his household was that he was going -to the Great King to persuade him that the best thing that -he could do would be to set Athens on her feet again to help -him against Sparta. Oh! he was a wonderful man to persuade, -was my master. Nobody could help being taken by -him.”</p> - -<p>“But tell me the story,” said the young man.</p> - -<p>“Well, it happened in this way. My master had gone up -to see Pharnabazus, the Satrap, who had promised to aid -him on his way up to Susa to see the Great King. There -were six of us with him; his secretary, myself and four -slaves. There was Timandra, also, whom he used to call -his wife; but his real wife was an Athenian lady, Hipparete, -I have heard say.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” interrupted Callias, “I knew her; a cousin of my -own; a most unhappy marriage. But go on.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Pharnabazus received him most hospitably. -There was no good house in the village, so we had three -cottages. Alcibiades had one; the secretary and I another, -and the slaves, a third. Every day the satrap sent a handsome -supply of provisions for us; dishes and wine from his -own table for my master, and for us all that we could want -for ourselves. I never fared better in my life. And my -master had long talks with him and seemed in excellent -spirits. Everything was going on as well as possible. Then -there came a change. I never could find out whether my -master had heard anything to make him suspicious. If he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> -had, he certainly told the secretary nothing about it. But -he was very much depressed. First he sent Timandra away. -She was very unwilling to go, poor lady, for she did love -my master very much, though, as I say, she was not really -his wife. But my master insisted on it, so she went away -to stay with some friends. After that his spirits grew worse -and worse. He used to tell his secretary the dreams he -had. Once he dreamt he was dressed in Timandra’s -clothes, and that she was putting rouge and powder on his -face. At another time he seemed to see himself laid on a -funeral pyre and the people standing round ready to set it -on fire. The very night after he had that dream -we were awakened by a tremendous uproar; the -secretary and I got up and looked out. The master’s -cottage, which was about a stadium<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> away from ours -was on fire, and there were a number of Persians, about -fifty or sixty, standing round it, shouting out and cursing -him. The next moment we saw the door of the cottage -open, and the master ran out with a cloak round his head, -to keep himself from being choked by the smoke, and with -a sword in his hand. As soon as he was clear of the -burning cottage he threw down the cloak and rushed -straight at the nearest Persian. The man turned and ran. -There was not one of them that dared stand for a moment. -But they shot at him with arrows. They had fastened the -gates of the enclosure in which the cottages stood, you must -understand, so that he could not escape. In fact he was -climbing over one of them when he was killed.”</p> - -<p>“And you; what did you do?”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Ah! sir,” cried the man, “we were helpless, we had not -a sword between us. We hid ourselves, and the next morning -took our master’s body and carried it to Timandra. She -made a great funeral, spending upon it, poor thing, nearly -every drachma she had. When we had seen the last of -my dear master, the secretary said that he had friends at -Tarsus, and set out to go there. I thought that I had best -make my way to Smyrna. Thanks to your goodness, I -shall now be able to get there, but I was very nearly dying -of starvation. But what, if I may ask, are you thinking of -doing?”</p> - -<p>“That I can’t tell,” replied the Athenian; “as I told you, -I was on my way to Alcibiades.”</p> - -<p>“Well, sir, I can tell you this,” rejoined the stranger, “no -friends of my master’s will be safe here. Pharnabazus, I -feel sure, had no great love for him, notwithstanding all his -politeness; as for the Spartans, they hated him; and I did -hear that the people who are now in power at Athens had -sent to say that peace could not last unless he were put out -of the way. Yes, sir, if anyone recognizes that you are my -master’s friend, you are a dead man.”</p> - -<p>“Why,” said Callias, “I have made no secret of it. In -Smyrna I spoke about him to the people with whom I was -staying. No one said a word against him.”</p> - -<p>“Very likely not,” replied the man, “for they thought -that he was alive, and no one liked to have my master for -an enemy. He had a wonderful way of making friends to -have the upper hand and contriving that his adversaries -should have the worst of it. But now that he is dead you -will find things very different.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“What is to be done?” asked the young Athenian.</p> - -<p>“Can you trust your guide?”</p> - -<p>“I know nothing of the man. I simply hired him because -I was told that he was a fairly honest fellow, knew -the country very well, and would not run away if a robber -made his appearance.”</p> - -<p>“Well, then get rid of him.”</p> - -<p>“But how?”</p> - -<p>“Tell him that you have a headache, and that you will -come on after him when you have rested a little and the sun -is not so hot, and that he had better go on, get quarters at -the next stage and have everything ready for you when you -shall arrive. As soon as he is gone, get back as fast as you -can to Smyrna. The news will hardly have reached that -place yet, indeed we may be sure that it has not, or you -would have heard of it before you started. Go down to the -docks, and take your passage in any ship that you can find -ready to start. Even if it is going to Athens never mind; -you will be able to leave it on the way. Anyhow, get out -of Asia at any risk.”</p> - -<p>“And you?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, no one will care about me. I am a very insignificant -person. But, as a matter of fact, I shall try to get to Syracuse. -I was born there.”</p> - -<p>“Syracuse will do as well for me as any other place. Why -not come with me if it can be managed? I was able to do -you a little service, and you have done me a great one. Let -us go together.”</p> - -<p>The plan was carried out with the greatest success. Callias -made the best of his way to Smyrna, and left his horse at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -an inn, not, of course, the one from which he had started. As -he had plenty of money for immediate wants, besides letters -of credit from Hippocles, he thought it safer not to attempt -to sell the animal. He then provided himself with different -clothes, purchasing at the same time a suit for his new acquaintance. -These he ordered to be sent to a small house of -entertainment near the docks which they had arranged -should be the place of meeting. Shortly before sunset the -man appeared. Meanwhile Callias had arranged for a passage -for himself and his servant in a ship bound for Corinth. -They would not venture into Corinth itself, but would -transfer themselves at the port of Cenchreae into some ship -bound for Sicily.</p> - -<p>Before the morning of the next day the two were on their -way westward. Everything went well. At Cenchreae they -found a Syracusan merchantman just about to start, shipped -on board her and after a prosperous voyage found themselves -in the chief city of Sicily.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br /> - -<small>DIONYSIUS.</small></h2> - - -<p>It was with no common emotion that the young Athenian -entered the great harbor of Syracuse. It was here that -the really fatal blow had been struck from which his -country had never recovered. She had struggled gallantly -on for nearly ten years after she had lost the most magnificent -armament that she had ever sent forth, but the wound -had been mortal. Thenceforward she had been as a man of -whose life-blood a half had been drained away. Callias had -read, shortly before leaving Athens for the last time, the magnificent -passage, then recently published, in which the -great historian of Athens had described the decisive battle -in the harbor.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> The sight of the place now enabled him to -realize it to himself in the most vivid way. He seemed to -see the hostile fleets crowded together in a way for which -there was no precedent, two hundred war galleys in a space -so narrow that manœuvre was impossible, and nothing -availed but sheer fighting and hard blows; while the shores -seemed alive again as they had been on that eventful day -with a crowd of eager spectators, the armies of the two contending -powers, who looked on with passionate cries and -gestures at such a spectacle as human eyes had scarcely wit<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>nessed -before, a mighty war-game in which their own liberties -and lives were the stake. The heights that ran above -the harbor were scarcely less significant. There, its remains -still visible, had been the Athenian line of investment. -If only a few yards more had been completed, the -young man thought to himself, the whole course of history -might have been changed.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> Not far away was the spot -where the sturdy infantry of Thebes had withstood the fiery -shock of his own countrymen, and so, not for the first time, -wrested from them the empire that seemed almost within -their grasp.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> And somewhere—no one knew where—his own -father had fallen, one of the thousands of noble victims who -had been sacrificed to the greed and ambition of a restless -democracy.</p> - -<p>The noble house of which Callias was the representative -had, of course, its hereditary guest-friend at Syracuse. -Naturally there had been very little intercourse between -citizens of the two states in late years; but the old tie remained -unbroken, and Medon, for that was the Syracusan’s -name, was as ready to give a hospitable welcome to the -young Athenian, as if he had been a citizen of one of his -country’s allies, a merchant prince of Corinth, or a scion of -one of the two royal houses of Sparta. He insisted upon his -guest taking up his quarters in his house, and exerted himself -to the utmost to supply and even anticipate every -want.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now you have seen something of the outside of our city,” -said Medon to his friend as they sat together after the evening -meal on the third day after his arrival, “you should -know something of its politics. But first let me make sure -that we are alone.”</p> - -<p>The dining chamber in which the two were sitting had an -ante-room. The door of this the Syracusan proceeded to -bolt.</p> - -<p>“Now,” he said, “we shall have no eavesdroppers. Any -inquisitive friend may listen at that other door, with all -this space between us and him, without getting much idea -of what we are talking about. All the other walls are outer -walls, as you know, and unless a certain great personage has -the birds of the air in his pay, we may talk without reserve. -You look surprised. Well, you will understand -things a little better when you have heard what I have to tell -you. You know something, I suppose, of what has been happening -here of late years. The fact is we have been going -through an awful time. No sooner were we free of the -danger that you put us in—you must pardon me for alluding -to it—than we were confronted with another which was -every whit as formidable. Another wretched quarrel between -two towns in the island—curiously enough the very -same two that were concerned in your expedition against -us<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a>—brought in a foreign invader. This time it was the -Carthaginians. They had had settlements in the island -for many years, had always coveted the dominion of -the whole, and more than once had been very near -getting it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> They were not far from success this time. First they took -Selinus and massacred every creature in it; then they took -Acragas;<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> then they utterly destroyed Himera. Something -made them hold their hands, and we had a short breathing -space. Four years afterwards they came back in greater -force than ever. Acragas was besieged; it held out bravely, -but at last the population had to leave it; only Syracuse was -left. Again when in the full tide of victory, the Carthaginians -held their hand. Do you ask me why? I cannot tell -you. But listen to the fourth article of the treaty of peace.” -In spite of the precautions that he had taken against being -overheard, Medon, at this point lowered his voice. “Syracuse -is to be under the rule of Dionysius. Yes; the secret -is there; it was he that made it worth their while to go; -and you may be sure that it was worth his while to buy -them off. I must allow that he was the only man who -showed a grain of sense or courage in the whole matter; the -other generals as they were called were hopelessly imbecile. -Well, they went, and Dionysius became, shall we -call it, ‘commander-in-chief,’ or perhaps as we are quite -alone, ‘tyrant?’ He had not an easy time of it at first; I -don’t suppose that he will ever have an easy time, tyrants -seldom do. The nobles and the heads of the democratic -party leagued together against him, and drove him out. -That did not last long. Of course the conquerors used their -victory most brutally. They were furious that Dionysius -had slipped out of their hands, and wreaked their vengeance -on his poor wife. I can’t tell you the horrible way in which -they killed her. She was the daughter, too, of Hermo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>crates, -one of the very best and noblest men that Syracuse -ever had. Equally of course they quarrelled over the spoils. -Naturally, before long they had nothing left to quarrel -over. Dionysius hired a force of Campanian mercenaries, -the hardest hitters, by the way, that I ever saw, and drove -them out of the city. Now, I fancy, he is pretty firmly -seated. The people like him; they were never as fit, you -must know, for popular government as yours are. He gives -them plenty of employment and amusements, wrings the -money out of us with a tight hand, and scatters it among -them with an open one. Of course a dagger may reach him, -and there are not a few that are kept ready sharpened for -the chance. Barring that, he is likely to be master here as -long as he lives. And to tell you the truth, though personally -I hate the idea, as any noble must—it is the nobles that always -hate a tyrant most—yet I do not see that anything -could be better for Syracuse. The Carthaginian danger -is not over yet, and Dionysius is the very ablest soldier -and administrator that we have. Of course the -pinch will come later. A ruler of this sort always -becomes harder, more cruel, more suspicious as he -grows older. And if he has a son, brought up in the -bad atmosphere of tyranny, the country has a terrible -time of it. Happily the son is generally a fool, -and brings the whole thing down with a crash. But -all this is far off. Dionysius is still a young man, -not more than twenty-six years old, I fancy. However, -you shall see him—we are very good friends in -public—and judge for yourself.”</p> - -<p>Callias, who had the hereditary abhorrence of his race for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> -anything like tyranny,<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> demurred at the proposed introduction -to the despot. Medon was very urgent in overruling -his objection. “Don’t mistake Sicily for Greece,” he -said; “we are half barbarous, and what would be monstrous -with you is quite in its right place here. I grant you that -an honest man should have no dealings with a tyrant who -should set himself up at Thebes, or Corinth, or Argos. But -it is different here. I am sure that the man governs us better -than we should be governed by the people, or, for the -matter of that, by the nobles either.”</p> - -<p>At last the Athenian consented. “Very good,” cried -Medon, “you will go. Then we will lose no time about it. -Depend upon it, Dionysius knows all about you; and if you -do not pay your respects to him without loss of time he will -be suspicious. Suspicion is the bane of his situation. Servant, -friend, wife; he trusts nobody.”</p> - -<p>The next day Medon and his guest presented themselves -at the palace. The Athenian had half turned back when -he found that he must be searched. No one was admitted -into the presence until that precaution had been taken, and -his freeman’s pride revolted. Medon simply shrugged his -shoulders. “He is quite right,” he whispered to his indignant -friend, “he would not live a month if he did not do it.”</p> - -<p>Dionysius was, or pretended to be, busy with his studies, -when the two visitors were announced. A slave was reading -to him from a roll, and he was taking notes on a wax<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -tablet. He welcomed the newcomers with much cordiality.</p> - -<p>“So, Medon, you have brought your Athenian friend at -last. I hope that you have not been slandering me to him.”</p> - -<p>“My lord,” answered Medon with a courtly bow, “I have -told him the history of the last five years, and have taken -him to see Syracuse. That is not the way to slander you.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” said Dionysius, “I shall have you a courtier yet.”</p> - -<p>He then turned to the Athenian, asked him a few questions, -all with the nicest tact, about his movements, and -finally named a time when he should be at leisure to have -some real conversation with him.</p> - -<p>“Believe me,” he said, “I honor the Athenians more -than any other people in Greece; a strange thing you may -think for a Syracusan to say, but it is true.”</p> - -<p>Certainly when Callias presented himself at the appointed -time, everything that his royal host had said seemed to bear -out this assurance. “After to-day,” he said, “politics shall be -banished from our talk. Don’t suppose for a moment that if -I had been a citizen of Athens, I should have attempted, that -I should even have wished, to be what I am here. But Syracuse -is not capable of being what Athens is. Even you find -liberty a little hard to manage sometimes. Here it is a -farce, only a very bloody farce. Listen to what happened -to my father-in-law, Hermocrates. There never was an -abler man in the country. If it had not been for him, I -verily believe that you would have conquered us. He saved -the city; and then, a little time afterwards, because he did -not do what ten years before no one would have dreamt of -doing, that is, conquer you Athenians in a sea-fight, they -banished him. Can you imagine such ingratitude, such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> -folly? Well; he was not disposed to put up with it; he saw -what I see, that the Syracusans are not fit to govern themselves, -and if it had not been for an accident, perhaps I ought -rather to say his own reckless courage, he would have been -in my place now.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> What he intended to do I have done. I -saved Syracuse as he saved her from Athens; and I dare say -that in a year or two my grateful countrymen would have -banished me as they banished him. Only I have been beforehand -with them. So much for politics; now let us talk -of something more pleasant and more profitable.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me now, do you know one Socrates in your city, a -very wise man they tell me?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know him well.”</p> - -<p>“And he is wise?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, indeed; there is no one like him; and so the god -thought, for the Pythia declared him to be the wisest of -men.”</p> - -<p>“I should dearly like to see him. Do you think it likely -that he would come here, if I were to invite him? I would -make it worth his while.”</p> - -<p>“I fear there is no chance of it. He never leaves Athens; -never has left it except when he served abroad with the -army, and as for money, he is quite careless about it.”</p> - -<p>“But he takes a fee for his teaching, I suppose.”</p> - -<p>“Not a drachma.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Well, that astonishes me. Why, Georgias would not -teach anyone for less than half a talent, and has got together, -I suppose, a pretty heap of money by this time. -But, perhaps, if I could not get the great man himself, I -might get one of his disciples. Whom do men reckon to be -the first among them?”</p> - -<p>“I think that one Plato is the most famous. He was a -poet when he was quite young, indeed he is young now, -and had a great reputation; but he has given up poetry for -philosophy.”</p> - -<p>“That seems a pity. I don’t see why a man should not -be both poet and philosopher. I am a little of both myself. -Can you remember anything that he has written?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; there was an epigram which everyone was repeating -when I left Athens. It was written for the tomb of one -of his fellow disciples.”</p> - -<p>“Let me hear it.”</p> - -<p>Callias repeated,</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“In life like Morning star thy shining head;<br /> -And now the star of Evening ’mid the dead.”<br /> -</p> - -<p>“Very pretty indeed. I have something very like it of -my own. Would you like to hear it?”</p> - -<p>Callias of course politely assented and expressed as much -admiration as his conscience permitted, possibly a little -more, for the composition was vapid and clumsy.</p> - -<p>But though Dionysius was an indifferent composer, he -had really a very strong interest in literary matters. Personal -vanity had something to do with it, for he was fully -convinced of his own abilities in this way; but he had a -genuine pleasure in talking on the subject. This was indeed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -the first of many conversations which the young Athenian -had with him. Politics were never mentioned again, but -poetry, the drama, indeed every kind of literary work, supplied -topics of unfailing interest. The drama was, perhaps, -the despot’s favorite topic. He had received not long before -Callias’ arrival, a copy of the play which was -described in my first chapter, and was never tired of -asking questions about various points of interest in it. -It soon became evident that his special ambition lay in this -direction.</p> - -<p>“So, now that your two great men are gone,” he said to -the young Athenian, “you have no man of really the first -rank among your dramatists?”</p> - -<p>“I should say not,” replied Callias. “Some think well of -Iophon, who is the son of Sophocles. Others say that he -would be nothing without his father. They declare that -the old man helped him when he was alive, and that what -he has brought out since his father’s death is really not his -own.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said Dionysius, “the stock will be exhausted -before long. And there is no one, you say, besides -him?”</p> - -<p>“No one, certainly of any reputation.”</p> - -<p>“Then there would be a chance for an outsider? But -would a dramatist that was not an Athenian be allowed to -exhibit?”</p> - -<p>“I know nothing to the contrary. But I do not know -that there has ever been a case. Anyhow it would be easy -to exhibit in the name of a citizen.”</p> - -<p>“An excellent idea! I shall certainly manage it somehow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> -The first prize at your festival would be almost as well -worth having as the tyranny itself.”<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> - -<p>It is not surprising that a ruler who cherished such tastes -should have reckoned a library among the ornaments which -were to make Syracuse the most splendid among Greek -cities. In his Athenian guest he believed himself to have -found a competent agent for carrying this purpose into -effect; and Callias was in truth a well educated person -who knew what books were worth buying. He was -well acquainted with the literature of his own country and -had a fairly competent knowledge of what had been produced -elsewhere in Greece. For the next three years it was -his employment, and one, on the whole not uncongenial to -his tastes, to collect volumes for Dionysius. In Sicily there -was little culture, but the Greek cities of Italy furnished -a more fertile field. There was not indeed much in the way -of <i>belles-lettres</i>. Works of this kind had to be imported -for the most part, either from Athens, or from Lesbos, -where the traditions of the school of Sappho and Alcæus -were not extinct, but books on philosophy and science, -could be secured in considerable numbers. At Crotona, for -instance, Callias was fortunate enough to secure a valuable -scientific library which had been for some years in the -family of Democedes, while at Tarentum he purchased a -handsome collection of treatises by teachers of the school of -Pythagoras.</p> - -<p>This occupation was varied in the second year of his resi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>dence -by an interesting mission to Rome. That city, the -rising greatness of which so keen an observer as Dionysius -was able to discern, was at this time sorely distressed by a -visitation of famine, and had applied far and wide for help. -The harvests of Sicily had been remarkably abundant, and -Dionysius sent a magnificent present of a hundred thousand -bushels of wheat, putting Callias in charge of the mission.</p> - -<p>In spite of these honorable and not distasteful employments -the young Athenian did not greatly like his position. -It would indeed have been scarcely endurable to a soul that -had been reared in an atmosphere of liberty, but for the fact -that his work took him much away from Syracuse. Dionysius -was all courtesy and generosity in his dealings with him; -but he was a tyrant; there was iron under his velvet glove. -It was therefore with a considerable feeling of relief that in -the early spring of the third (or according to classical -reckoning) the fourth year after the fall of Athens, he received -a missive from Xenophon couched in the following -terms.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p> - -<p>“Meet me at Tarsus with all the speed you can. Great -things lie before us, of which you will hear more at the -proper time. Farewell.”</p> - -<p>Leave of absence was obtained with some difficulty, and -towards the end of June, Callias found himself at the appointed -place.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - -<small>CYRUS THE YOUNGER.</small></h2> - - -<p>Almost the first person that the Athenian saw when he -disembarked at Tarsus was Xenophon. The latter was evidently -in the highest spirits.</p> - -<p>“You are come at exactly the right moment,” he cried. -“All is going well; but, three days ago, I should have said -that all would end badly. Cyrus and Clearchus have -thrown for great stakes, and they have won; but at first the -dice were against them. But I forget; you know nothing -of what happened. I will explain. You know something -about Cyrus, the Great King’s brother?”</p> - -<p>Callias assented.</p> - -<p>“You know that he was scarcely contented to be what he -was, in fact that he was disposed to claim the throne.”</p> - -<p>“I heard some talk of the kind when I was with -Alcibiades.”</p> - -<p>“Listen then to what happened. Cyrus, to put a long -story in a few words, collected by one means or another -about thirteen thousand Greek soldiers. He gave out that -he was going to lead them against the mountain tribes of -Cilicia. But his real object has all along been to march up -to Susa, and drive the King from his throne. Clearchus -knew this; I fancy some others guessed it; I know I did for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -one. But the army knew nothing about it. Of course it -had to come out at last. When we came to Tarsus, the men -had to be told. If we were going to act against the Cicilian -mountaineers, now was the time. If not, why had we been -brought so far? When the truth was known there was a -frightful uproar. The men declared that they would go -back. It was madness, they said, for a few thousand men to -march against the Great King. For four days I thought all -was lost. Clearchus and Cyrus managed admirably. I will -tell you all about it some day. Meanwhile it is enough to -say that all is settled. The men have changed their tone -completely. They talk of nothing but ransacking the -treasuries of the King, and Cyrus is quite magnificent in his -promises. He gives a great banquet to the officers to-night. -I am going with Proxenus, who is my special friend among -the generals, and I have no doubt that I can take you. -Cyrus, I assure you, is a man worth knowing, and, though -we should call him a barbarian, worth serving.”</p> - -<p>The Persian prince, when Callias came to make his acquaintance, -bore out, and more than bore out, the high -character which Xenophon had given of him. A more -princely man in look and bearing never lived. That he was -a stern ruler was well known, but his subjects needed stern -methods; but for courtesy and generosity he could not be -matched, and he had that genial manner which makes -these qualities current coin in the market of the world. He -was of unusual stature, his frame well knit and well proportioned, -and his face, though slightly disfigured by scars -which he had received in early life in a fierce death struggle -with a bear, singularly handsome. Proxenus introduced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> -his friend’s friend as a young Athenian who had come to -put his sword at his disposal, and Cyrus at once greeted -him with that manner of friendliness and even comradeship -which made him so popular. At the same time he made -some complimentary remark about Athens, saying that the -Athenians had been formidable enemies, and would hereafter, -he hoped, be valuable friends.</p> - -<p>The banquet could not fail, under such circumstances, of -being a great success. Everyone was in the highest spirits, and -when Cyrus, in thanking his guests for their company, -said that though Greece and Persia had been enemies in the -past they would be firm friends in the future, he was greeted -with a burst of tumultuous applause.</p> - -<p>The next day the army set out, their last remaining -scruples dispelled by an increase of pay.<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> There was still a -certain reserve in speaking about the object of the campaign -but every one knew that it was directed against the Great -King. Two days’ march took them to Issi, a town destined -to become famous in later days.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> The difficult pass of the -Cicilian Gate was found unguarded. About a month later -the ford of the Euphrates at Thapsacus<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> was reached. -Then all disguise was thrown off. Cyrus was marching -against his brother, and he would give each man a bonus of -a year’s pay when he had reached Babylon.</p> - -<p>So the long and tedious march went on. The King made -no signs of resistance. Line after line of defense was found -unguarded. At last, just ten weeks after the army had -marched out of Tarsus, a Persian horseman attached to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -Cyrus’ person, came galloping up with the news, which he -shouted out in Greek and Persian, “The King is coming -with a great army ready for battle.”</p> - -<p>Something like a panic followed, for the invaders had almost -begun to think that they would not have to fight. -Cyrus sprang from the carriage in which he had been riding, -donned his corslet, and mounted his charger; the Greeks rushed -to the wagons in which they had deposited their armor -and weapons, and prepared themselves hastily for battle.</p> - -<p>By mid-day all was ready. Clearchus was in command of -the right wing, which consisted of the heavy-armed -Greeks, and rested on the Euphrates the light-armed -Greeks, with some Paphlagonian cavalry, stood in the -center; on the left were the Persians under Ariæus, Cyrus’ -second in command. The extreme left of all was occupied -by Cyrus himself with his body guard of six hundred horsemen. -All wore cuirasses, cuisses and helmets; but Cyrus, -wishing to be easily recognized, rode bareheaded.</p> - -<p>It was afternoon before the enemy came in sight. First, -a white cloud of dust became visible; then something like -a black pall spread far and wide over the plain, with now -and then a spear point or bronze helmet gleaming through -the darkness. Silently the huge host advanced, its left on -the river, its right far overlapping Cyrus’ left, so great was -its superiority in numbers. “Strike at the center,” said -the Prince to Clearchus, as he rode along the line, “then -our work will be done.”</p> - -<p>He knew his countrymen; the King himself was in the -center. If he should be killed or driven from the field, victory -was assured.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> - -<p>The hostile lines were only two furlongs apart, when the -Greeks raised the battle shout, and charged at a quick pace, -which soon became a run. A few minutes afterwards the -Persians broke. Their front line, consisting of scythe-armed -chariots, for the most part, turned and drove helter skelter -through the ranks of their countrymen; the few that -charged the advancing foe did, perhaps attempted to do, no -harm. The ranks were opened to let them through, and -they took no further part in the battle. Anyhow the -Greeks won the victory without losing a single man.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the King, posted, as has been said, in the -center, seeing no one to oppose him, advanced as if he would -take the Greeks on their flank. Cyrus, seeing this, charged -with his six hundred, and broke the line in front of the -King. The troopers were scattered in the ardor of pursuit, -and the Prince was left alone with a handful of men. Even -then all might have been well but for the fit of ungovernable -rage which seized him. He spied his brother the King -in the throng, and, crying out, “There is the man,” pressed -furiously towards him. One blow he dealt him, piercing -his corslet, and making a slight wound. Then one -of the King’s attendants struck Cyrus with a javelin -under the eye. The two brothers closed for a moment -in a hand-to-hand struggle. But Cyrus and his followers were -hopelessly overmatched. In a few minutes the Prince and -eight of his companions were stretched on the ground. -One desperate effort was made to save him. Artapates, the -closest of his friends, leaped from his horse, and threw -his arms around his body. It did but delay the fatal blow -for the briefest space. The next moment Cyrus was dead.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> - -<small>THE RETREAT.</small></h2> - - -<p>Seven weeks have passed since the catastrophe recorded -in my last chapter.<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> Curiously enough the Greeks had returned -to their camp after their easily won victory without -any suspicion of what had happened on the other side of the -battle field. They wondered, indeed, that Cyrus neither -came nor sent to congratulate them on their success, but the -news of his death which was brought to them next morning -by an Ionian Greek, who had been in the service of Cyrus, -came upon them like a thunderclap. Then had followed a -period of indecision and perplexity. So long as they had to -answer insolent messages from the King or Tissaphernes, -bidding them give up their arms and be -content with such chance of pardon as they might -have, their course was plain. To such demands only -one answer was possible. “We will die sooner than give -them up,” had been the reply which Cleanor the Arcadian, -the senior officer, had made. But when the Persians began -to treat, when they agreed upon a truce, and even allowed -the Greeks to provision themselves, the course to be followed -became less plain. Tissaphernes made indeed the most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> -liberal offers. “We will lead you back to Greece,” he said, -“and find you provisions at a fair price. If we do not -furnish them, you are at liberty to take them for yourselves, -only you must swear that you will behave as if you were -marching through the country of friends.” There were -some who roundly said that the Greeks had best have no -dealings with the man; he was known to be treacherous -and false; this was only his way of luring them on to their -death. On the other hand it was difficult to refuse terms so -advantageous. It was possible that the satrap, though not -in the least friendly, was genuinely afraid, and would be -glad to get rid at any price of visitants so unwelcome. This -was the common opinion. If the army could find its way -home without fighting, it would be madness to reject the -chance. For many days past, every thing had gone smoothly; -relations between the Greeks and Tissaphernes seemed to -become more and more friendly. Clearchus, the general, -commanding in chief, had even dined with the satrap, had -been treated in the most friendly fashion, and was now -come back to the camp with a proposition from him for a -formal conference at which the Greeks were to be represented -by their principal generals. Some voices were -raised against this proposal. “No one ever trusted Tissaphernes -without repenting it,” was the sentiment of not a -few, Xenophon amongst the number. But the opposition -was overruled. Five generals and twenty inferior officers -proceeded to the tent of Tissaphernes, followed by a troop of -stragglers, who availed themselves of the favorable opportunity, -as they thought it, of marketing within the enemy’s -lines.</p> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Callias,” said Xenophon to his friend on the morning of -this eventful day, “my mind misgives me. The soothsayer -tells me that, though the sacrifices have been generally -favorable, there have always been some sinister indications. -And certain it is that we have never put ourselves so completely -in the enemy’s power as we have this day. Tissaphernes -has only to say the word and our most skillful leaders -are dead men. But, hark, what is that?”</p> - -<p>A cry of surprise and wrath went up from the camp, and -the two Athenians rushed out of the tent in which they had -been sitting, to ascertain the cause. One glance was -enough. The stragglers were hurrying back at the top of -their speed with the Persians in hot pursuit. Among the -foremost of the fugitives was an Arcadian officer, who, fearfully -wounded as he was, managed to make his way to -the camp. “To arms!” he cried, “Clearchus and the rest -are either dead or prisoners.” Instantly there was a wild -rush for arms. Everyone expected that the next moment -would bring the whole Persian army in sight. But the -King and his satraps knew how formidable the Greeks -really were. As long as they had a chance of succeeding by -fraud, they would not use force.</p> - -<p>Fraud was immediately attempted. Ariæus, who by this -time had made his peace with the King, rode up to within -a short distance of the camp, and said, “Let the Greeks -send some one that is in authority to bear a message from -the King.” The veteran Cleanor accordingly went forward.</p> - -<p>“Let me go with you,” cried Xenophon, “I am eager to -hear what has become of my friend Proxenus. Come you, -too,” he whispered to Callias.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ariæus addressed them: “Thus saith the King; -Clearchus, having forsworn himself and broken the truth, -has been put to death. Proxenus and Medon are honorably -treated. As for you, the King demands your arms, seeing -that they belonged to Cyrus, who was his slave.”</p> - -<p>Cleanor’s answer was brief and emphatic, “Thou villain, -Ariæus, and the rest of you, have you no shame before gods -or men, that you betray us in this fashion, and make friends -with that perjurer Tissaphernes?”</p> - -<p>Ariæus could only repeat that Clearchus was a traitor. -“Then,” cried Xenophon, “why send us not back Proxenus -and Medon, good men you say, who would advise both -you and us for the best?”</p> - -<p>To this no answer was made; and the party slowly made -their way back to the camp. The worst had happened. -They were in the midst of their enemies, more than a thousand -miles from the sea, and they had lost their leaders.</p> - -<p>The two Athenians, who shared the same tent, lay down -to rest at an early hour. It still wanted some time to midnight, -when Xenophon surprised his companion by suddenly -starting up.</p> - -<p>“I believe,” he cried, “all will be well after all. I have -had a most encouraging dream.”</p> - -<p>“What was it?” asked Callias.</p> - -<p>“I dreamed,” returned the other, “that I was at home and -that there was a great storm of thunder and lightning and -that the lightning struck the house and that it blazed up all -over.”</p> - -<p>Callias stared. “But that does not sound very encouraging.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“Ah! but listen to what I have to tell you. When -Proxenus asked me to come with him on this expedition, I -applied to Socrates for his advice. ‘Ask the god at Delphi,’ -he said. So I asked the god but not, as he meant me to do, -whether I should go or not, but to what gods, if I went, I -should sacrifice. Well, this has been a great trouble to me, -and I look upon this dream as an answer. First—this is -the encouragement—Zeus shows me a light in darkness. -The house all on a blaze, I take it, means that we are surrounded -with dangers.”</p> - -<p>“May it turn out well,” was all that Callias could find it in -his heart to say. But if he was tempted to think meanly -of his companion, he had soon reason to alter his opinion.</p> - -<p>“Whether my dream means what I think or any thing -else,” Xenophon went on, “we must act. To fall into the -hands of the King means death, and death in the most -shameful form. And yet no one stirs hand or foot to avoid -it; we lie quiet, as though it were time to take our rest. I -shall go and talk to my comrades about it.”</p> - -<p>The first thing was to call together his own particular -friends, the officers of Proxenus’ division. He found them -as wakeful as himself.</p> - -<p>“Friends,” he said, “we must get out of the King’s -clutches. You know what he did to his own brother. The -man was dead; but he must nail his body to a cross. What -will he do, think you, to us? No; we must get out of his -reach. But how? Not by making terms with him. That -only gives him time to hem us in more and more completely. -No; we must fight him; and we, who are more -enduring and brave than our enemies, have a right to hope<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -that we shall fight to good purpose. And surely the gods -will help us rather than them. For are they not faithless -and forsworn?</p> - -<p>“But, if we are to fight, we must have leaders. Let us -choose them then. As for me, I will follow another, or, if -you will have it so, I will lead myself. Young I am, but I -am at least of an age to take care of myself.”</p> - -<p>Then there was a loud cry—“Xenophon for general!” -Only one voice was raised in protest, that of a captain, who -spoke in very broad Bœotian. “Escape is impossible; we -should better try persuasion.” Such was the burden of his -speech.</p> - -<p>Xenophon turned on him fiercely. “Escape impossible! -And yet you know what the King did. First came a -haughty command that we should give up our arms. When -we refused, he took to soft words and cajolery. He is afraid -of us; but if we trust to persuasion we are lost.” Then turning -to the others, he cried, “Is this man fit to be a captain? -Make him a bearer of burdens. He is a disgrace to the -name of Greek.”</p> - -<p>“Greek,” cried an Arcadian captain, “he is no Bœotian, -nor Greek at all. He is a Mysian slave. I see his ears are -bored.” And the man was promptly turned out of camp.</p> - -<p>Not a moment was now lost. A representative body of -officers from the whole army was promptly collected, and -Xenophon was asked to repeat what he had said to the smaller -gathering. The meeting ended in the election of five -generals to replace those who had been murdered. Chirisophus, -a Spartan, made the sixth, having held the office -before.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - -<p>The day was now beginning to dawn. It was scarcely -light when the whole army assembled in obedience to a -hasty summons which had been sent through the camp.</p> - -<p>Chirisophus opened the proceedings. “We have fared -ill, fellow soldiers,” he said, “in that we have been robbed -of so many officers and have been deserted by our allies. -Still we must not give in. If we cannot conquer, at least -we can die gloriously. Anyhow we must not fall alive into -the hands of the King.”</p> - -<p>After an address by another general, Xenophon stood up. -He had dressed himself in his best apparel. “Fine clothes -will suit victory best,” he said to himself, “and if I die, let -me at least die like a gentleman.”</p> - -<p>“Gentlemen,” he said, “if we were going to treat with the -barbarians, then, knowing how faithless they are, we might -well despair; but if we mean, taking our good swords -in our hands, to punish them for what they have done, -and to secure our own safety, then we may hope for the -best.”</p> - -<p>At this point, a soldier sneezed. A sneeze was a lucky -omen, and by a common impulse all the soldiers bowed -their heads. Xenophon seized the opportunity.</p> - -<p>“I spoke of safety, gentlemen, and as I was speaking, -Zeus the Savior, sent us an omen of good fortune. Let us -therefore vow to him a thank-offering for deliverance, if we -ever reach our native country. This let us do as an army; -and besides, let everyone vow to offer according to his ability -in return for his own safe arrival.”</p> - -<p>These propositions were unanimously accepted, and the -hymn of battle was solemnly sung by the whole army.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Now,” said the speaker, “we have set ourselves right -with the gods, who will doubtless reward our piety, while -they will punish these perjurers and traitors who seek to -destroy us.”</p> - -<p>Then, after appealing to the glorious memories of the -past, when the Greeks, fighting against overwhelming odds, -had once and again turned back the tide of Persian invasion, -he addressed himself to deal with the circumstances of the -situation. “Our allies have deserted us; but we shall fight -better without such cowards. We have no cavalry; but battles -are won by the sword; our foes will have the better only -in being able to run away more quickly. No market will -be given us; but it is better to take our food than to buy it. -If rivers bar our way, we have only to cross them higher -up. Verily, I believe that not only can we get away, but -that if the King saw us preparing to settle here, he would be -glad to send us away in coaches and four, so terribly afraid -is he of us.</p> - -<p>“But how shall we go? Let us burn our tents and all -superfluous baggage. The baggage too often commands the -army. That is the first thing to do. Our arms are our -chief possession. If we use them aright, everything in the -country is ours. Let us march in a hollow square, with the -baggage animals and the camp followers in the middle. -And let us settle at once who is to command each section of -the army.”</p> - -<p>All this was accepted without demur. Chirisophus was -appointed to command the van, Xenophon, with a colleague, -as the youngest of the generals, the rear. Practically these -two divided the command between them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> - -<p>The first experience of an encounter with the enemy was -not reassuring; in fact it was almost disastrous. Early in -the first day’s march, one Mithridates, a personage well -known to the Greeks, for he had been high in Cyrus’ confidence, -rode up with a couple of hundred horsemen and -twice as many slingers and bowmen. He had a look of -coming as a friend; indeed, earlier in that day he had come -with what purported to be a conciliatory message from Tissaphernes. -But on arriving within a moderate distance of -the Greeks he halted, and the next moment there was a -shower of bullets and arrows from the slings and bows. -The Greeks were helpless. They suffered severely, but -could do nothing to the enemy in return. The Cretan -archers had a shorter range than that of the Persian bows, -and the javelin could not, of course, come anywhere near the -slingers. At last Xenophon gave the order to charge. -Charge the men did, heavy-armed and light-armed alike. -Possibly it was better than standing still to be shot at. But -they did not contrive to catch a single man. As foot soldiers -they were fairly outpaced; and they had no cavalry. -Only three miles were accomplished that day, and the army -reached the villages in which they were to bivouac, in a -state of great despondency. Unless such attacks could be -resisted with better success, the fate of the army was sealed.</p> - -<p>Xenophon was severely blamed by his colleagues for his -action in charging. He frankly acknowledged his fault. -“I could not stand still,” he said, “and see the men falling -round me without striking a blow, but the charge was no -good. We caught none of them, and we did not find it -easy to get back. Thanks to the gods, there were not very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> -many of them; if they had come on in force, we must have -been cut to pieces.”</p> - -<p>After a short silence, he addressed his colleagues again. -“We are at a great disadvantage. Our Cretans cannot -shoot as far as their Persian archers; and our hand throwers -are useless against the slingers. As for the foot soldiers, -no man, however fleet of foot, can overtake another who has -a bowshot’s start of him, especially as we cannot push the -pursuit far from the main body. The simple truth is that we -must have slingers and horsemen of our own. I know that -there are Rhodians in the army who can sling leaden bullets -to a much greater distance than these Persian slings -can reach. I propose, first, that we find out who among -them have slings of their own; these we will buy at the -proper value; if any know how to plait some more, we will -pay them the proper price for doing it; the slings thus obtained, -we shall soon get a corps of slingers to use them. -Give them some advantage and they will enroll themselves -fast enough. Now for the cavalry. We have some horses I -know. There are some in the rear-guard with me; there -are others that belonged to Clearchus; a good many have -been taken from the enemy, and are being used as baggage -animals. Let us take the pick of these and equip them for -the use of cavalry; we shall soon have some very capable -horsemen at our service.”</p> - -<p>The idea was promptly carried out. That very night a -couple of hundred slingers were enrolled, and the next day, -which was spent without any attempt to advance, fifty -horsemen passed muster, fairly well-mounted and duly furnished -with buff jackets and cuirasses. This was only the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> -first of many instances in which Xenophon showed the -fertility and readiness of device which did so much to save -the army.</p> - -<p>The very next day the new forces were brought into action -with the happiest results. Mithridates came up again -with his archers and slingers, but encountered a reception -on which he had not calculated. The cavalry made a brilliant -charge, cutting down a number of the infantry and -taking prisoners some seventeen horsemen. At the end of -the day’s march, the army reached the Tigris. Fourteen -weeks of hard and perilous marching lay before them; but -they were fairly well-equipped for the work. I shall take -an account of some of the principal incidents of the journey -from a diary kept by Callias, who acted throughout as aid-de-camp -to Xenophon.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> - -<small>THE DIARY.</small></h2> - - -<p><span class="smcap">October 27.</span><a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a>—Our new corps have covered themselves -with glory to-day. About noon Tissaphernes himself appeared -with a large force of cavalry. He had his own regiments -with him; among the others we recognized some of -Cyrus’ Persian troops. They want, I suppose, to make the -King forget their rebellion. The satrap did not wish to -come to close quarters; but he found after all that the quarters -were closer than he liked. He was well within range; -and as his men were posted in great masses every arrow and -every bullet told. It would, in fact, have been impossible -to miss, with such a mark to aim at. As for the Persian -archers they did no damage at all. But we found their arrows -very useful. Our men are now well-equipped, for we -discovered an abundant store of bow-strings and lead for the -sling bullets in the villages.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 3.</span>—Things have not been going so well to-day. -The barbarians occupied a post of vantage on our route and -showered down darts, stones, and arrows upon us as we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> -passed. Our light-armed were easily driven in. When the -heavy-armed tried to scale the height, they found the climbing -very hard work, and of course the enemy were gone by -the time that they reached the top. Three times this was -done, and I was never more pleased in my life than when at -last we got to the end of our day’s march. Eight surgeons -are busy attending to the wounded, of whom there is a terrible -number. We are going to stop here three days, Xenophon -tells me. Meanwhile we are in a land of plenty. -There are granaries full of wheat, and cellars of wine, and -barley enough to supply our horses if we had fifty times as -many. Hereafter we are to follow a new plan. As soon as -we are attacked, we halt. To march and fight at the same -time puts us at a disadvantage. And we are to try to get -as far in advance as possible.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 9.</span>—We had our three days’ rest, and then -three days’ quick marching. To-day, however, there has -been a smart brush with the enemy. They had occupied a -ridge commanding our route, which just then descended -from the hills into the plain. Chirisophus sent for Xenophon -to bring his light-armed to the front. This, of course, -was a serious thing to do, as Tissaphernes was not far from -our rear. Xenophon accordingly galloped to the front to -confer with his colleague. “Certainly,” he said, when he -saw how the enemy was posted, “these fellows must be dislodged, -but we can’t uncover our rear. You must give me -some troops, and I will do my best.” Just at that moment -he caught sight of a height rising above us just on our right—he -has a true general’s eye—and saw that it gave an approach -to the enemy’s position. “That is the place for us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -to take,” he cried. “If we get that, the barbarians can’t stay -where they are.” As soon as the troops were told off for -service, we started; and lo! as soon as we were off, the barbarians -seeing what we were after started too. It was a race -who should get there first. Xenophon rode beside the men, -and urged them on. “Now for it, brave sirs!” he cried. -“’Tis for Hellas! ’Tis for wives and children! Win the race, -and you will march on in peace! Now for it!” The men -did their best, but of course it was hard work. I never had -harder in my life. At last a grumbling fellow in the ranks -growled out, “We are not on equal terms, Xenophon. You -are on horseback, and I have got to carry my shield.” In a -moment Xenophon was off his horse. He snatched the fellow’s -shield from him, and marched on with the rest. That -was hard work indeed, for he had his horseman’s cuirass -on; still he kept up. Then the men fell on the grumbler. -They abused him, pelted him, and cuffed him, till he was -glad enough to take his shield again. Then Xenophon -re-mounted, and rode on as before as far as the horse -could go. Then he left him tethered to a tree, and went -on foot. In the end we won the race; and the barbarians -left the way clear.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 10.</span>—We had a great disappointment to-day. -The route lay either across a river which was too deep to -ford—we tried it with our spears, and could find no bottom—or -through a mountainous region inhabited by a set of -fierce savages whom the King has never been able to subdue. -He once sent an army of a hundred thousand men -among them, they say, and not a single soldier ever came -back! First we considered about crossing the river. A<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> -Rhodian had a grand plan, he said, for taking the army -across. He would sell it for a talent. I must confess, by the -way, that I am more and more disgusted by the manner in -which everything is for sale. Citizen soldiers think of the -common good, though, it must be confessed, they are not so -sturdy in action as these fellows; mercenaries think only of -the private purse. However, the Rhodian never got his -talent. His plan was clever enough, making floats of skins, -but impracticable, seeing that the enemy occupied the other -shore in force. Nothing, then, remained for it but to take -to the mountains. We must do our best to fight our way -through them, if the mountaineers won’t be friends. This -done, we shall find ourselves in Armenia; once there, we -shall be able to go anywhere we please.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 14.</span>—We have had three awful days. The -Carduchians—so they call the barbarians—are as hostile -and as fierce as they can be. It seems unreasonable, for -they must hate the Great King as much as we do. Still -they will not listen to our overtures for friendly intercourse, -but keep up an incessant attack. To-day there was very -near being a positive disaster. We in the rear-guard had, -of course, the worst of it. Generally when we find our work -particularly hard we pass on the word to the van, and they -slacken their pace; otherwise we should get divided from -the main army. To-day no attention was paid to our messages; -Chirisophus did nothing but send back word that -we must hurry on. Consequently our march became something -very like a rout, and we lost two of our best men. -At the first halt Xenophon rode to the front.</p> - -<p>“Why this hurry?” he asked. “It has cost us two men,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> -and we had to leave their bodies behind.” “See you that?” -said Chirisophus, and he pointed to a height straight before -us, which was strongly held by the enemy. “I wanted -to get there first, for the guide says that there is no other -way.” “Says he so?” said Xenophon. “Let us hear what -my fellows have to say. I laid an ambush, you must know, -and caught two barbarians. They would be useful, I -thought, as guides!” The two were brought up and questioned. -“Is there any other way than what we see?” -“No,” said the first. Try all we could, he would make no -other answer. At last Chirisophus had him killed. -“Now,” he said, turning to the other, “can you tell us anything -more?” “O yes,” said the man, “there is another -way, and one that horses can pass over. But the other -would not say anything about it, because he had kinsfolk -living near it, and was afraid that you would do them an -injury.” Poor fellow! I was sorry for him, when I knew -how loyal he had been. But I don’t know what else could -have been done. The second man told us that there was a -height which we must occupy if we would make the new -route practicable. Two thousand men have set off to get -hold of it. If they fail, we shall be in terrible straits.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 16.</span>—The army is safe for the present, but -some—I among the number—have had a very narrow escape. -The two thousand found their work very much -harder than at first they thought it was going to be. They -took the first height without any difficulty, and fancied -they had done all that was wanted. But there were no less -than three heights beyond, and each of these had to be -stormed. My part in the business was this. Xenophon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -thought that the second of the four heights—there were four -in all—ought to be held permanently till our army had -passed. Some two hundred men were told off for this duty, -and I volunteered to be one of them. All of a sudden we -found ourselves attacked by a whole swarm of mountaineers. -They outnumbered us by at least ten to one. It was a case -for running, for there was really no position that we could -hold. But running was no easy matter. Our only chance -was to climb down a very steep mountain side to the pass -below, where the last columns of the van-guard were just -making their way. Some of the men did not like to try it; -and, indeed, it did look desperately dangerous. While they -were hesitating, the barbarians were upon them. As for -myself, I felt that I would sooner break my neck than fall -into the enemy’s hands, so I started off at full pace, and was -safe. Nor do I think that any who followed my example -were seriously hurt, though some got very nasty falls. Those -who stayed behind were killed to a man. Just now we are -in comfortable quarters. Wine is in such plenty hereabouts -that positively the people keep it in great cisterns.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 19.</span>—We have crossed the Centrites, which is -the Eastern branch of the Tigris.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">November 30.</span>—The march through Armenia has been -on the whole as pleasant as we had hoped. The Lieutenant -Governor, one Tiribazus, made an agreement with our generals -that he would do us no harm, if we would not burn -the houses, but content ourselves with taking such provisions -as we wanted. Four days ago, we had a heavy fall of -snow, and the general thought it as well to billet out the -army in the villages, which are very thick in these parts.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> -There was no enemy in sight, and, as we had no tents, bivouacking -in the open would be neither pleasant nor safe. -We all enjoyed it vastly, particularly as the villages were -full of good things, oxen, and sheep, and wine, some of the -very best I ever tasted, and raisins, and vegetables of all -kinds. But after the first night we had an alarm. A great -army was reported in sight; and certainly there were -watchfires in every direction. The generals thereupon determined -to bring the army together again, and to bivouac -on the plain. The weather too, promised to be fine. But in -the night there was another heavy snow fall, so heavy that it -covered us all up. It was not uncomfortable lying there under -the snow; in fact, it felt quite warm; but of course it -was not safe. I have heard of people going to sleep under -such circumstances and not waking up again. Anyhow -Xenophon set the example of getting up, and setting to -work splitting wood. Before long we were all busy. But -there was no more bivouacking in the open. We went to -the villages again; and some foolish fellows who had wantonly -set their houses on fire were now punished for their -folly.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">December 8.</span>—The weather becomes colder and colder, -and is our worst enemy now. The other day there was a -cutting north wind, which drifted the snow till it was more -than six feet deep in places. Xenophon, whose faith and -piety are admirable, suggested a sacrifice to the north wind. -This was made; and certainly the weather did begin to -abate shortly afterwards. The doubters say that the wind -always does go down after a time. These are matters on which -I do not pretend to judge; but I do see that Xenophon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>’s -pious belief makes him very cheerful and courageous. -The day before yesterday many of our men were afflicted, -what with the long march and what with the cold, with a -sort of ravenous hunger. They fell down, and either would -not, or could not, move a step forward. At first we did not -know what was the matter with them; but then some one -who had campaigned before in cold countries suggested the -real cause. When we gave them a little food we found that -they recovered. Yesterday we nearly lost a number of men -who were simply overpowered with the cold. The enemy -was close behind, and we tried to raise the poor fellows up; -but they would not stir. “Kill us,” they said, “but leave -us alone.” They were simply stupid with cold. All that -could be done was to frighten the enemy away. On the -barbarians came, till the rear guard, who were lying in ambush, -dashed out upon them, and at the same time the sick -men shouted as loud as they could, and rattled their spears -against their shields. The enemy fled in a hurry, and we -saw and heard no more of them. But what would have -happened if they had persisted, is more than I can say. The -whole army was demoralized with the cold. The men lay -down as they could with their cloaks round them. There -was not a single guard placed anywhere. As it was, no -harm was done; and in the afternoon to-day the sick men -were brought safe into good quarters. We are now in excellent -quarters, with all that we could wish to eat and drink.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">December 9.</span>—Just as I had finished my entries yesterday -an Athenian with whom I have struck up a great -friendship asked me to come with him on an expedition. -His name is Polycrates, and he is the captain of a company.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> -“Let us raid that village,” he said, “before the people have -time to get away.” So we did, and we had a fine catch. -We laid hands on the villagers and their head man. With -the head man was his daughter who had been married only -eight days before. Her husband was out hare-hunting, and -so escaped. The village was a curious place. All the -houses were underground; beasts and men lived there together, -the beasts entering by a sloping way, the men by a -ladder. There were great stores of barley, and wheat, and -green stuff of all kinds. The drink was barley wine, which -they keep in great bowls. You have to suck it up by a reed. -It is very strong. As to the flavor I feel a little doubtful. -To-day Xenophon has been taking the head man, whom he -had to sup with him last night, all round the camp, by -which I mean the villages, for the men are encamped in -them. At Chirisophus’ quarters there was a strange sight. -The men were feasting with wisps of hay round their heads, -for lack of flowers; and Armenian boys, in the costume of -their country, were waiting on them. Everything of course -had to be explained by signs, for neither soldiers nor waiters -knew a word of each other’s language. Xenophon gave the -head man his old charger, which indeed was pretty well -worn out with marching, and took for himself and his officers -a number of young horses which were going to be sent, -we were told, as part of the King’s tribute.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">December 27.</span>—Nothing of much moment has happened, -except it be a quarrel, the first that has taken place—and I -devoutly hope the last—between our generals. After resting -in the villages for a week, we started again, taking the -head man with us as a guide. If he did this duty properly,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -he was to be allowed to depart and to take his son with him, -for he had a young son in his company. All the rest of his -family were safe in his own village with a very handsome -lot of presents. At the end of the third day Chirisophus -got into a great rage because the head man had not taken -them to any village. The man declared that there was no -village near. But Chirisophus would not listen, and -struck the man. The next night he ran away. Xenophon -was very angry. “You ought not to have struck him,” he -said; “but having struck him, you certainly ought to have -kept a doubly strict guard on him.”</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">December 30.</span>—We have crossed the river Phasis, and got -through what is, I hope, our last difficult pass. I have not -time to write about it; but I must record an amusing little -controversy that took place between our two generals. It -shows anyhow that they have made up their quarrel. -Xenophon had been insisting that they must do as much as -they could by craft, and had been speaking of <i>stealing</i> somewhere -at night, <i>stealing</i> a march, and so forth. Then he -went on, “But why do I talk about stealing in your presence -Chirisophus, for you Spartans are experts in the art. -You practice it, I am told, from your youth up. It is honorable -among you to take anything except what the law forbids. -But to encourage you and to make you master -thieves you get a whipping if you are found out. I must -not therefore presume to instruct you about <i>stealing</i>.” “Nay,” -replied the other, “you have the best possible right to do it. -You Athenians, I am told, are wonderfully clever -hands at stealing the public money and the best men -among you do it the most. No; we Spartans must yield to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -you.” In the end the pass was carried without much loss.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">January 3.</span>—For several days we have been on very -short commons. The Taochi, through whose country we -are passing, have collected all their possessions, alive and -dead, into strong places. At last we felt that something -had to be done, for we were simply starving. Accordingly, -when we came about noon to-day to one of these strongholds -which happened to lie directly on our route, Chirisophus -made up his mind to take it. It could be seen to be -full of flocks and herds besides a mixed crowd of men, -women and children. First one regiment went up against -it; then a second; then a third. They could do nothing -with it; the slingers and archers, which were the only -troops we could use, made no impression at all. Just then -Xenophon came up with the rear-guard, I being close behind -him. “You have come just in the nick of time my -friend,” said Chirisophus, “we must take this place or -starve.” “But what,” Xenophon asked, “is to hinder our -simply walking in?” Chirisophus answered, “You see that -one narrow path, that is the only way of approaching -the place. Whenever anyone attempts to go by it, these fellows -roll down huge masses of rock from the crag up there,” -and he pointed to a cliff that overhung the plain. “See -what has happened to some of my poor fellows who were -unlucky enough to get in the way!” And sure enough there -was one man with one leg broken and another with both, -and a third with his ribs crushed in. “But,” said my own -general, “when these fellows have expended their ammunition—and -they can’t have a perpetual supply of it—there -will be nothing else to hinder our going in. I can only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> -see a very few men, and of these not more than two or three -are armed. As for the distance that we have to get across, it -cannot be more than one hundred and fifty yards; and two-thirds -of this are covered at intervals by great pine trees. -As long as we are among these, stones cannot hurt us. -These past, there are only fifty yards more to be crossed.” -“Very good,” said Chirisophus, “but the moment we get -near, the fire of stones begins again.” “All the better,” -said Xenophon, “the hotter their fire, the quicker the -enemy will use up their ammunition. However, let us -begin by picking out the place where the run across the open -space will be shortest.”</p> - -<p>First we occupied the trees. I had the luck, by special -favor of Xenophon, to be among them. We were only -seventy, for no more could find proper shelter behind the -pines. Then one of us came forward a yard or two from under -cover of the pines. No sooner did the Taochi see him than -they sent down a vast quantity of stones. Before they -reached him he was under cover again. This he did several -times; and every time a wagon-load of rocks, at the very -least, must have been whizzing and whistling down the -slope. Before long, however, the ammunition gave signs of -not holding out. As soon as Agasias, an Arcadian from -Lake Stymphalus, perceived this, he ran forward at full -speed. The man who had been amusing himself with the -rocks, caught hold of his shield as he ran by. Then two -other men started. Altogether it was a splendid race, and -curiously enough not another stone was thrown. Then the -rest of us followed. But when I saw the horrible thing that -ensued, I was inclined to be sorry that I had anything to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> -do with it. The women threw their children over the cliff, -and then threw themselves after them, and the men did the -same. I caught hold of one man to stop him, but he wriggled -out of my grasp, and threw himself over the top. It -was well for me that he did so or else I might have fared as -Æneas of Stymphalus did. He saw a man very finely -dressed just about to throw himself over, and tried to hold -him. The man did not try to get away, but clasped Æneas -tightly in his arms. The next moment both had fallen -headlong over the edge. Of course they were both killed. -We took very few prisoners, but flocks and herds as many -as we wanted and more.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">January 26.</span>—The marching has been easy enough on the -whole, though we have met with the bravest enemies that -we have yet come across, the Chalybes, they are called. -They did not hang on our rear, taking care never to fight -unless they had some vantage ground, but met us fairly -face to face. They were not as well armed as we. Indeed, -they had no armor on the body except cuirasses of linen. -Their chief weapon was a very long and clumsy spear. -Nevertheless they made a good fight of it; and if they did -kill a man they cut his head off directly with a short sabre -that they carried at their waists. We got nothing but hard -knocks here. All the property of the country was stored -away in strongholds; still what we got from the Taochi has -lasted us up to this time, and will supply us for some days -to come. The country of the Chalybes past, we came to the -city, the first, by the way, that we have seen. It seemed -very populous and rich, and its governor was extremely -civil. He gave us a guide who told us the best news that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> -we had heard for a long time. “Within five days you shall -see the sea,” he said. “If I fail, my life shall be the forfeit.” -According to this we ought to see it to-morrow.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">January 27.</span>—We have seen it! I was in the van-guard -as usual. We had our hands full, for the people of the -country were up in arms against us. Our friend, the guide, -had been very urgent with us to ravage and burn the -country; and the men had not been backward in following -his advice. So now there was a whole swarm of enemies -hanging on our heels, and we of the rear guard had to keep -them in check. All of a sudden we heard a tremendous uproar. -“There is another attack on the van,” cried Xenophon, -“this looks serious.” But the shouting grew louder -and nearer. As soon as a company came up, it began -racing towards the shouters, and then took to shouting -itself. Xenophon mounted his horse to see for himself what -had happened. He took the cavalry with him in case anything -should have happened, and I made the best of my way -after them. Presently we could distinguish the words. -The men were shouting, <i>The sea! The sea!</i> Then everybody -started running, rear guard and all; even the very -baggage horses were taken with it and came galloping up. -And, sure enough, there it was, right before our eyes, a -glimpse of blue in the distance with the sunshine upon it. -What a scene it was! We all fell to embracing one another; -rank was forgotten; generals, officers, and common men were -friends. Indeed the gods could not have given to our -eyes a more delightful sight. Presently the soldiers fell to -erecting a great cairn of stones. On this they put skins and -staves and wicker shields that we had taken from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> -enemy. Of course the guide had a very handsome present -from the common store, a purse, a silver bowl, a Persian -dress, and ten gold pieces. Then he begged some rings, -and got not a few. The soldiers were ready to give him -anything.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">February 2.</span>—We have passed safely through another -country. The people were drawn out in order of battle -when the luckiest thing happened, saving, I doubt not, -many lives. One of the men came up to Xenophon and -said: “I think I know the language these people talk. I -verily believe that it is my own.” And so it turned out to -be. The man had been a slave in Athens. He explained -to them that we did not wish to do them any harm, but -simply wanted to get back to our own country. Since then -it has been peaceful. The people—Macrones they call -themselves—have been as helpful as possible, making roads -for us, and supplying us with as good food as they possessed.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">February 7.</span>—Yesterday I really thought that after all -that I had gone through, I was going to die of eating a -mouthful of honey. We found a great store of this in one -of the Colchian villages that we came to, and of course ate -it freely. It was poisonous, at least to persons not used to -it. I know that I was desperately ill and so were many of -my comrades. Happily no one died. We reach Trapezus -to-morrow. We are in Greece again. Thanks be to Zeus -and all the gods!</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> - -<small>A THANKSGIVING.</small></h2> - - -<p>The worst severity of the winter was over when the army -reached Trapezus. The days were longer, for it was already -half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, -and though the nights were still bitterly cold, the sun was -daily gaining power. Sometimes a breeze from the west -gave to the air quite a feeling of spring. Still Callias was -very thankful to find quarters in the city. He discovered -but scarcely with surprise, that as soon as he returned within -the circle of Greek influence, the credentials furnished -him by Hippocles made life much smoother for him. -Trapezus was the very farthest outpost of civilization; it -was at least nine hundred miles from Athens, yet the name -of Hippocles seemed as well known and his credit as good as -if it had been the Piraeus itself. As soon as permission -could be obtained to enter the town—for the people of Trapezus, -though kind and even generous to the new arrivals, -kept their gates jealously shut—Callias made his way to the -house of a citizen who was, he was told, the principal merchant -in the place. Nothing could have been warmer than -the welcome which he received, when he produced the slip -of parchment to which Hippocles had affixed his seal and -signature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - -<p>“All I have is at your disposal,” cried Demochares; this -was the name of the Trapezuntine merchant. “I cannot -do too much for any friend of Hippocles. You will, of -course, take up your quarters with me; and any advance -that you may want,—unless,” he added with a smile, “you -have learnt extravagance among the Persians, for we are -not very rich here in Trapezus—any advance within reason -you have only to ask for.”</p> - -<p>The young Athenian ventured to borrow fifty gold pieces, -astonishing his new friend by the moderation of his demand. -He knew that some of his comrades, mercenaries who had -not received an <i>obolus</i> of pay for several months, must be -very badly off, and he was glad to make a slight return for -many little services that he had received, and acts of kindness -and good fellowship that had been done for him on the -march. As for hospitality, he begged to be allowed to postpone -his answer till he could consult his general.</p> - -<p>“I don’t like to leave you, sir,” he said when he broached -the subject to Xenophon after their evening meal. “Why -should I have the comforts of a house, lie soft, and feed well, -while you are sleeping on the ground, and getting or not -getting a meal, as good luck or bad luck will have it?”</p> - -<p>“My dear fellow,” replied Xenophon, “there is no reason -why you should not take the good the gods provide you. -You are not one of us; you never have been. You came as -a volunteer, and a volunteer you have remained. You are -perfectly free to do as you please. Besides, if you want anything -more to satisfy you, you are attached to my command, -and I formally give you leave.”</p> - -<p>Callias, accordingly, took up his quarters in the merchant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>’s -house. Never was guest more handsomely treated. Demochares -and his family were never wearied of his adventures, -a story which has indeed interested the world ever since, -and which to these Greeks of Trapezus had a meaning -which it had lost for us. Living as they did on the farthest -boundaries of the Greater Greece, the Greece of the colonies, -they were keenly alive to all that could be known about the -barbarian world with which they were brought in constant -contact. The young Athenian, indeed, held a sort of levee -which was thronged day after day with visitors young and -old. All that he had to tell them about the Great King, on -whose dominions they were in some sort trespassers, and -about the unknown tribes who dwelt between the sea and -the Persian capital, was eagerly listened to. Pleasant as his -sojourn was to himself, it was not without some advantage -to his old comrades. His host was an important person in -Trapezus, holding indeed the chief magistracy for the year, -and he had much to do with the liberal present of oxen, -corn, and wine which the town voted to the army.</p> - -<p>A month passed in a sufficiently pleasant way. Meanwhile -the army was preparing to offer a solemn thanksgiving -for the safe completion of the most perilous part of -its journey. The vows made at the moment of its greatest -danger were now to be paid, and paid, after the usual Greek -fashion, in a way that would combine religion and festivity. -There was to be a sacrifice; the sacrifice was to be followed -by a feast, and the feast again by a celebration which was, -of course, in a great measure an entertainment, but was also, -in a way, a function of worship. Wrestlers, boxers, and -runners not only amused the spectators and contended for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -glory and prizes, but were also supposed in some way to be -doing honor to the gods.</p> - -<p>The sacrifice and the feast it is not necessary to describe. -Necessarily there was nothing very splendid or costly about -them. The purses of the soldiers were empty, though they -had a good deal of property, chiefly in the way of prisoners -whom they had captured on the way, and whom they would -sell in the slave markets as the opportunity might come. -Trapezus, however, and the friendly Colchian tribes in the -neighborhood furnished a fair supply of sheep and oxen to -serve as victims, and a sufficient quantity of bread, wine, -dried fruit and olive oil, this last being a luxury which the -Greeks had greatly missed during their march, and which -they highly appreciated. A few of the officers, the pious -Xenophon among them, went to the expense of gilding the -horns of the beasts which were their special offerings; but -for the most part the arrangements were of a plain and frugal -kind.</p> - -<p>The games had at least the merit of affording a vast amount -of entertainment to a huge multitude of spectators. They -were celebrated, it may be easily understood, under considerable -difficulties, for Trapezus did not possess any regular -race course, and the only rings for wrestling and boxing -were within the walls, and therefore not available on this -occasion. By common consent the management of the -affair was handed over to a certain Dracontius. He was a -Spartan, and to the Spartans, who had been undisputed -lords of Greece since the fall of Athens, had been conceded -a certain right of precedence on all such occasions as these. -Dracontius, too, was a man of superior rank to his comrades.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -He belonged to one of the two royal houses of Sparta, but -had been banished from his country in consequence of an -unlucky accident. In one of the rough sports which the -Spartan lads were accustomed to practice, sports which were -commonly a more or less close mimicry of war, a blow of his -dagger, dealt without evil intention but with a criminal -carelessness, had been fatal to a companion. Hence, from -boyhood, he had been an exile; cut off from the more -honorable career to which he might have looked forward -in the service of his country, he had been content to enlist -as a mercenary.</p> - -<p>Dracontius, accordingly, was made president of the games. -The skins of the sacrificed animals were presented to him, -as his fee, and he was asked to lead the way to the racecourse -where the contests were to be held.</p> - -<p>“Race course!” cried the Spartan, with the <i>brusquerie</i> -which it was the fashion of his country to use, “Race course! -What more do you want than what we have here?”</p> - -<p>A murmur of astonishment ran through the army. Indeed -there could have been nothing less like a race course -than the ground on which they were standing. It was the -slope of a hill, a slope that sometimes became almost precipitous. -Most of it was covered with brushwood and heather. -Grass there was none, except here and there where it covered -with a treacherously smooth surface some dangerous quagmire. -Here and there, the limestone rock cropped up with -jagged points.</p> - -<p>“But where shall we wrestle?” asked Timagenes, an Arcadian -athlete, who had won the prize for wrestling two or -three years before at the Lithurian games, and who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> -naturally considered himself as an authority on the subject.</p> - -<p>“Here of course,” was the president’s reply.</p> - -<p>“But how can a man wrestle on ground so hard and so -rough?” asked the Arcadian, who had no idea of practising -his art except in a regular ring.</p> - -<p>“Well enough,” said Dracontius, “but those who are -thrown will get worse knocks.”</p> - -<p>The wrestler’s face fell and he walked off amid a general -laugh. His comrades fancied, not without reason, that he -was a great deal too careful of his person.</p> - -<p>But if the ground, broken with rocks and overgrown with -wood was not suited to scientific wrestling, it certainly -helped to make some of the other sports more than usually -amusing. The first contest was a mile race for boys. Most -of the competitors were lads who had been taken prisoners -on the march, but a few Colchians entered for the prize, as -did also two or three boys of Trapezus, who had the reputation -of being particularly fleet of foot. But the natives of -the plain, still more the inhabitants of the town, found -themselves entirely outpaced on this novel race course by -the young mountaineers. A Carduchian came in first, and -was presented with his liberty, his master being compensated -out of the prize fund which had been subscribed by -the army. As soon as he understood that he was free, he -set out at full speed in the direction of his home. A true -mountaineer, he sickened for his native hills, and in the -hope of seeing them again was ready to brave alone the -perils which an army had scarcely survived.</p> - -<p>A foot race for men followed, but the distance to be traversed -was, according to the common custom of the great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> -games, only two hundred yards. There were as many as -sixty competitors; but curiously enough, they were to a man -Cretans. Another foot race, this time for men in heavy -armor, was next run. The president had a Spartan’s admiration -for all exercises that had a real bearing on military -training, and the race of the heavy armed was unquestionably -one of these. It was won by a gigantic Arcadian, an -Ætolian whose diminutive stature made a curious contrast -to his competitor, coming in close behind him.</p> - -<p>Next came the great event of the day, the “Contest of the -Five Exercises,” or “Pentathlon.” The five were leaping, -wrestling, running, quoit-throwing, and javelin-throwing. -The competitor who won most successes had the prize adjudged -to him.<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> Callias had been trained for some time at -home with the intention of becoming a competitor at Olympia; -but various causes had hindered him from carrying out -his purpose, and, of course, he was now wholly out of practice. -He was sitting quietly among the spectators when he -felt a hand upon his shoulder and looking up, saw his -general standing by.</p> - -<p>“Stand up for the honor of Athens,” said Xenophon, -“don’t let the men of the Island<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> carry everything before -them.”</p> - -<p>“But I am not in training,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“You are in as good training, I fancy,” replied the general, -“as are any of these; better I should say, to judge from the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> -way in which they have been eating and drinking since the -retreat was ended. Besides, it is only the boxers who absolutely -require anything very severe in that way. And you -have youth.”</p> - -<p>Callias still made objections, but yielded when his general -made the matter a personal favor.</p> - -<p>The competitors were five in number, the winner of the -foot-race, the tall Arcadian and his diminutive rival from -Ætolia, two Achaeans, and Callias.</p> - -<p>The first contest was leaping at the bar. Here the Arcadian’s -long legs served him well. He was a singularly ungainly -fellow, and threw himself over the bar, if I may be -allowed the expression, in a lump. Every time the bar was -raised, he managed just to clear it, though the spectators -could not understand how his clumsy legs, which seemed -sprawling everywhere, managed to avoid touching it. Still -they did manage it, and when he had cleared four cubits -short of a palm, which may be translated into the English -measure of five feet nine inches, his rivals had to own themselves -beaten. Callias, who came second, declared that he -had been balked by the infamous playing of the flute player, -whose music according to the custom followed at Olympia, -accompanied the jumping. “The wretch,” he declared to -the friends who condoled with him on the loss of what they -had put down to him for a certainty, “the wretch played -a false note just as I was at my last trial. If I had not heard -him do the same at least half-a-dozen times before, I should -have said that he did it on purpose.”</p> - -<p>If chance or fraud had been against him in this trial, in -the next he was decidedly favored by fortune. This was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> -the foot race. The course was, as usual, round a post fixed -about a hundred yards from the starting point, and home -again. Whenever a turn has to be made, a certain advantage -falls to the competitor who has the inner place, and -when, as in this case, the distance is short, the advantage is -considerable. The places were determined by lot. The innermost -fell to the Arcadian; Callias came next to him; -fortunately for him, his most dangerous competitor, the -Cretan who had won the foot race, had the outermost, <i>i. e.</i>, -the worst station. The Arcadian jumped away with a lead, -and for fifty yards managed, thanks to the long strides -which his long legs enabled him to take, to keep in front; but -the effort was soon spent; by the time that the turning -point was reached, Callias had gained enough upon him to -attempt the dangerous manœuvre of taking his ground. If -it had not been for this, he must have been beaten, for the -fleet-footed Cretan, weighted though he was by his disadvantageous -place, ran a dead heat with him.</p> - -<p>In the quoit-throwing, the Arcadian’s strength and -stature brought him to the front again. With us quoit-playing -is a trial of skill as well as of strength. The quoit -is thrown at a mark, and the player who contrives to go -nearest to this mark, without touching it (for to touch it -commonly ends in disaster) wins. At the same time the -throw does not count unless the quoit either sticks into the -ground or lies flat upon it with the right side uppermost. In -the Greek game there were no requirements of this kind. -The quoit was a huge mass of metal with notches by which -it could be conveniently grasped, or, sometimes, a hole in -the middle through which a leather strap or wooden handle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> -could be put. He who threw it farthest was the winner. -Some little knack was required, as is indeed the case in every -feat of strength, and, as has been said before, stature was -the chief qualification. The Arcadian hurled the quoit, a -mass of iron weighing ten pounds, to the vast distance of -forty-two feet. None of his rivals came near him. As he -had now won two events out of three, and his gigantic -height and weight would make him, to say the least, a formidable -opponent in the wrestling, he was a favorite for -the prize. His Arcadian countrymen, who formed, as has -been said, a large proportion of the army, were in high hope, -and staked sums that were far beyond their means on his -success.</p> - -<p>The quoit-throwing was followed by hurling the javelin -at a mark. Here the Arcadian was hopelessly distanced, -for here skill was as much wanted as strength had been in -the preceding trial. He threw the javelin indeed with prodigious -force, but threw it wholly wide of the mark. Indeed, -when he was performing, the near neighborhood of the -mark would have been the safest place to stand. The spectators -were more than once in danger of their lives, so at random -and at the same time so vigorous were his strokes. The -first mark was a post rudely fashioned into the figure of a -man. To hit the head was the best aim that could be made; -to hit a space marked out upon the body and roughly representing -the heart was the next; the third in merit was a -blow that fell on some other part of the body. The legs -counted for nothing. Callias and the Cretan scored precisely -the same. The Athenian hit the head twice, scoring six for -the two blows. The third time his javelin missed altogether.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> -The Cretan, on the other hand, in his three strokes hit the -third, second, and the first places successively, scoring for -them one, two, and three respectively. Further trials of -skill were now given. A wand about three fingers wide was -set up at a distance of twelve yards. The Cretan’s javelin -pierced it, making it, as may be supposed, an exceedingly -difficult thing for a rival to equal, much more to surpass the -performance. But Callias was equal to the occasion. Amid -tumultuous applause from the spectators, for his courtesy -and carriage had made him a great favorite, he hurled his -javelin with such accuracy that he split that which was -already sticking in the mark. Again the Cretan and he -were pronounced to have made a tie.</p> - -<p>The two Achaeans and the Ætolian did creditably, scoring -five each. As they had failed in four out of the five -contests, the prize was clearly out of their reach, and they -stood out of the last competition, the wrestling.</p> - -<p>And now came the last and deciding struggle. Here -again fortune decidedly favored the Athenian. The president, -following the rule always observed at Olympia, ordered -three lots marked A, B, and C, and representing respectively -Callias, the Arcadian, and the Cretan, to be put into an urn. -The two first drawn were to contend in the first heat, the -third was to have what is technically called a “bye.” The -“bye” fell to the lot of Callias, and with it, it need hardly -be said, the not inconsiderable advantage of coming fresh to -contend with a rival who had undergone the fatigue of a -previous struggle.</p> - -<p>The issue of the contest between the Arcadian and the -Cretan was not long in doubt. The latter was an agile fellow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> -who would have had a very good chance with “light-weights,” -to use again a technical term, if the competitors -had been so classed, as indeed they are by the customs of the -modern wrestling ring. But against his gigantic opponent -he had scarcely a chance. In the first bout the Arcadian -lifted his antagonist clean from the ground, and threw him -down at full length without more ado. The second was -more equal. The Cretan struck his antagonist’s left ankle -so sharply with his foot that the giant fell, but he could -not loose the other’s hold, and fell also, scoring only the advantage -of being the uppermost. If there had been a tie in -the other two bouts this might have sufficed to give him the -victory, or the president might have ordered a fresh trial. -But the third bout was decisive. It was in fact a repetition -of the first, only, if possible, still more decisive. The Cretan -was again lifted from the ground, before he had the chance -of practising any of his devices, and again hurled at full -length upon the ground. This time he was stunned, and -carried insensible from the ground by his companions.</p> - -<p>A brief interval was now allowed. It was thought unfair -that the Arcadian should be called upon to engage a fresh -antagonist without some chance of resting himself. But -what was meant for an advantage turned out to be exactly -the contrary. The man was not particularly tired, but he -was exceedingly thirsty, and he had not learnt the habit of -self-control. Regardless of the remonstrance of his companions, -he indulged himself with a huge goblet of wine -and water. So imprudent was he indeed that he put less -water than was usual in the mixture, and slightly confused -his brain by the potency of the draught. When he came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> -forth to meet his antagonist, he had not only damaged his -wind but had made his footing somewhat unsteady. Three -bouts, as before, were fought. The Arcadian first tried the -simple tactics which had been successful with the Cretan. -He did his best to lift the Athenian from the ground, and -Callias had all he could do to prevent it. But his weight -and his strength, which he made the most of by his coolness, -stood him in good stead. After a fierce struggle both fell -together, and fell in such a way that the president declared -that neither had gained any advantage. Practically, however, -the victory was decided in favor of Callias. The Arcadian’s -strength was impaired, and he was so scant of -breath that he could not use what was left to him. And he -had little skill to fall back upon, whereas his antagonist had -been the favorite pupil of one of the best trainers in Athens. -In the second bout Callias struck the Arcadian on the right -foot with his own left; in the third he simply reversed the -device, striking the left with his right. In both he contrived -to free himself when his opponent fell. Thus the -fifth contest ended for him in an unquestioned victory.</p> - -<p>The prize of victory was an ox and a purse of twenty-five -gold pieces, for soldiers who fought for pay would not have -relished the barren honor of a wreath of wild olive with -which the Olympian judges were accustomed to reward the -victors. Callias won golden opinions from his comrades by -the liberality with which he disposed of his gains. The ox -he presented to the company to which he had been attached; -the money he divided, in such proportion as seemed right, -among the unsuccessful competitors.</p> - -<p>One more contest remained, and it turned out to be the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> -most entertaining of them all. This was a horse race. The -competitors were to make their way from the hill-top to the -shore and back again. The headlong, break-neck speed at -which they galloped down, and the slow and painful effort -by which they crawled back again, were witnessed with inextinguishable -laughter by the assembled crowds. Xenophon -himself took a part in this sport, and gained great -favor not only by his condescension but by his skillful -riding. He did not win indeed, for the animal which he -rode was hopelessly inferior, but his performance did not -discredit the land which claimed by the bounty of the god -of the sea to have been the birthplace of the horse.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> The -piety of Xenophon always ready to show itself, did not fail -to improve the occasion of his young friend’s success.</p> - -<p>“You have gained the prize,” he said in a tone of the -deepest earnestness, “nor did you fail to deserve it. Prize -it the more because it is manifest that the gods favor you. -Youth and strength pass away, but piety you can cherish -always, and cherishing piety, you have also the favor of -the gods.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> - -<small>BUSINESS AND PLEASURE.</small></h2> - - -<p>Its religious obligations discharged, for the games, as has -been already said, were regarded as a service of thanksgiving -for deliverance, the army turned its attention to secular -affairs. One indispensable duty, one curiously characteristic, -by the way, of the Greek soldier’s temper of mind, was to -call the generals to account. For a Greek soldier, even when -he was selling his sword to the highest bidder, never forgot -that he was a citizen, and that as a citizen he had the right -of satisfying himself that his superiors had done their duty -with due care and with integrity. The Ten Thousand -accordingly put aside for the time their military character, -and resolved themselves into a civil assembly. Their generals -were no longer the commanding officers to whom they owed -an unhesitating obedience, but the magistrates who had just -completed their term of office, and had now to render their -accounts<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> to those who had elected them.</p> - -<p>The meeting of the army, perhaps I should rather say the -assembly, was held on the same ground which had served<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> -for a race course. One by one the officers were called to -answer for themselves. With many, indeed, the proceeding -was purely formal. The name was called, and the man -stepped forward on a platform which had been erected -where it could be best seen by the whole meeting. If no -one appeared to make a complaint or to ask a question, the -soldiers gave him a round of applause, if I may use the word -of the noise made by clashing their spears against their -shields; this was a verdict of acquittal and the officer retired -with a bow. And this was what commonly happened. -After all, the leaders had, on the whole, done their duty -sufficiently well; there was proof of that in the simple fact -that such a meeting was being held. But all did not escape -so easily. If, indeed, only a few voices of dissatisfaction were -heard, the matter was not pushed any further. When the -second appeal was made by the malcontents, they, seeing -that they were not supported by their comrades, preferred -to keep silence. The man would, in all probability, be their -officer again and he would not be likely to think pleasantly -of any one who had accused him. But where, on the other -hand, there was anything like an agreement of dissatisfied -voices, the complainants took courage to come forward, and -the examination was proceeded with in earnest. One officer -had had charge of some of the property of the army; there -was a deficiency in his accounts and he was fined twenty -himal<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> to make it good. Another was accused of carelessness -in his duties as leader, and had to pay half this sum. -Then came the <i>cause celebre</i>, as it may be called, of the day, -the trial of Xenophon himself. Xenophon was generally<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> -popular with the army, as, indeed, he could scarcely fail to -be, considering all that he had done for it; but he had -enemies. The mere fact of his being an Athenian made him -an object of dislike to some; others, as will be seen, he had -been compelled to offend in the discharge of his duty.</p> - -<p>“Xenophon, the son of Gryllus,” shouted the herald at -the top of his voice.</p> - -<p>The Athenian stepped on to the platform.</p> - -<p>An Arcadian soldier, Nicharchus by name, came forward -and said, “I accuse Xenophon the Athenian of violence -and outrage.”</p> - -<p>A few voices of assent were heard throughout the meeting; -and some half dozen men came forward to support the -the prosecutor. Accuser and accused were now confronted.</p> - -<p>“Of what do you accuse me?” asked Xenophon.</p> - -<p>“Of wantonly striking me,” replied the man.</p> - -<p>“When and where did you suffer these blows?”</p> - -<p>“After we had crossed the Euphrates, when there was a -heavy fall of snow.”</p> - -<p>“I remember. You are right. The weather was terrible; -our provisions had run out; the wine could not so much as -be smelt; many men were dropping down, half dead with -fatigue; the enemy were close upon our heels. Were not -these things so?”</p> - -<p>“It is true. Things were as bad as you say, or even worse.”</p> - -<p>“You hear,” said Xenophon, turning to the assembly, -“how we were situated, and indeed, seeing that you suffered -these things yourself, you are not likely to forget them. -Verily; if in such a condition of things, I struck this man -wantonly and without cause, you might fairly count me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -more brutal than an ass. But say—” he went on, addressing -himself again to his accuser, “was there not a cause for -my beating you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, there was a cause,” the fellow sullenly admitted.</p> - -<p>“Did I ask you for something, and strike you because you -refused to give it?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Did I demand payment for a debt, and lose my temper -because the money was not forthcoming?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Was I drunken?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me now; are you a heavy-armed soldier?”</p> - -<p>“No; I am not.”</p> - -<p>“Are you a light-armed then?”</p> - -<p>“No; nor yet a light-armed.”</p> - -<p>“What were you doing then?”</p> - -<p>“I was driving a mule.”</p> - -<p>“Being a slave?”</p> - -<p>“Not so; I am free; but my commander compelled me -to drive it.”</p> - -<p>A light broke in upon Xenophon. He had had a general -recollection of the occasion, but could not remember the -particular incident. Now it all came back to him.</p> - -<p>“Ah,” he cried, “I remember; it was you who were -carrying the sick man?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” the man confessed, “I did so, by your compulsion; -and a pretty mess was made of the kit that I had upon the -mule’s back.”</p> - -<p>“Nay, not so; the men carried the things themselves, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> -nothing was lost. But hear the rest of the story,” he went -on, turning to the assembly, “and, indeed it is worth hearing. -I found a poor fellow lying upon the ground, who -could not move a step further. I knew the man, and knew -him as one who had done good service. And I compelled -you, sir,” addressing Nicharchus, “to carry him. For if I -mistake not, the enemy were close behind us.”</p> - -<p>The Arcadian nodded assent.</p> - -<p>“Well then; I sent you forward with your burden, -and after a while, overtook you again, when I came up with -the rear-guard. You were digging a trench in which to -bury the man. I thought it a pious act, and praised you -for it. But, lo! while I was speaking, the dead man, as I -thought he was, twitched his leg. ‘Why he’s alive,’ the -bystanders cried out. ‘Alive or dead, as he pleases,’ you -said, ‘but I am not going to carry him any further.’ Then -I struck you. I acknowledge it. It seemed to me that you -were going to bury the poor fellow alive.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” said the Arcadian, “you won’t deny, I suppose, -that the man died after all.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Xenophon, “he died, I acknowledge. We -must all die some day; but, meanwhile, there is no reason -why we should be buried alive.”</p> - -<p>The man hung his head and said nothing.</p> - -<p>“What say you, comrades?” cried Xenophon.</p> - -<p>One of the oldest men in the ranks got up and said, “If -Xenophon had given the scoundrel a few more blows he had -done well.”</p> - -<p>A deafening clash of swords and spears followed, and the -verdict was accepted.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> - -<p>The other complainants were now called to state the particulars -of their grievances. Dismayed by the reception -which their spokesman had met with, they remained silent, -one and all. Xenophon then entered upon a general defence -of his conduct.</p> - -<p>“Comrades,” he said, “I confess that I have many times -struck men for want of discipline. These were men who, -leaving others to provide for their safety, thought only of -their own gain. While we were fighting they would leave -their place in the ranks to plunder, and so enriched themselves -at our expense. Some also I have struck, when I -found them playing the coward and ready to give themselves -helplessly up to the enemy. Then I forced them to -march on, and so saved their lives. For I know, having -once myself sat down in a sharp frost, while I was waiting -for my comrades, how loath one is to rise again. Therefore, -for their sake, I raised them even with blows, as I should myself -wish, were I so found, to be raised. Others also have I -struck whom I found straggling behind that they might -rest. I struck them for your sake, for they were hindering -both you that were in front, and us that were behind, and I -struck them for their own sake. For verily it was a lighter -thing to have a blow with the fist from me than a spear’s -thrust from the enemy. Of a truth, if they are able to stand -up now to accuse me, it is because I saved them thus. Had -they fallen into the enemy’s hand, what satisfaction would -they be able to get, even if their wrongs were ten times -worse than that Nicharchus complains of? No,” he went -on, “my friends, I have done nothing more to any one than -what a wise father does to his child, or a good physician<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> -does to his patient. You see how I behave myself now. I -am in better case; I fare better; I have food and wine in -plenty. Yet I strike no one. Why? Because there is no -need; because we have weathered the storm, and are in -smooth water. I need no more defence; you have, I see, -acquitted me. Yet I cannot forbear to say that I take it ill -that this accusation has been made. You remember the -times when I had for your good to incur your dislike; but -the times when I eased the burden of storm or winter for -any of you, when I beat off an enemy, when I ministered to -you in sickness or in want, these no one remembers—” and -here the speaker’s voice half broke, partly with real emotion, -partly at the suggestion of the orator’s art. A thrill of -sympathy ran through the audience. “And you forget,” -he went on, “that I never failed to praise the doer of any -noble deed, or to do such honor as I could, to the brave, living -or dead. Yet, surely it were more noble, more just, more -after the mind of the gods, a sweeter and kindlier act, to -treasure the memory of the good than to cherish these hateful -thoughts.”</p> - -<p>When the speaker sat down, there was nothing that he -might not have obtained from his comrades.</p> - -<p>That night there was a great banquet. This served a -double purpose. Quarrels were made up, and some other -difficult relations of the army to its neighbors were satisfactorily -adjusted. The fact was, that the Greeks, partly -from their want, and partly in the hope of filling their -pockets after a long and profitless campaign, had been -plundering right and left. The natives, on the other hand, -had not been slow to retaliate. Plundering cannot be done<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> -satisfactorily in company; but any who ventured to do a -little business on his own account ran a great chance of being -cut off. Under these circumstances both parties thought -it might be possible to come to an agreement. If the Greeks -would not plunder, the natives would leave them unmolested -and even furnish them with supplies. The chief of the -country, accordingly, sent an embassy, with a handsome -present of horses and robes of native manufacture. The -generals entertained them at a banquet, to which, at the -same time, they invited the most influential men of the -army. The chief’s proposals would be informally discussed, -and proposed in regular form at a general meeting the next -day.</p> - -<p>The generals did their best to impress their guests. Meat, -bread and wine were in plenty; and the eparch of Trapezus -sent one of the magnificent turbots for which the waters -of the Black Sea were famous. All the plate that was in -the camp was put into requisition to make as brave a show -as possible; and, at the instance of Callias, some handsome -vessels of gold and silver were lent by the town authorities.</p> - -<p>But, in the eyes of the guests, the most impressive part of -the entertainment was in the performances which followed -it. The libation having been made and the hymn, which supplied -the part of grace after meat, having been sung, some -of the Thracian soldiers came upon the platform which had -been prepared for the performers. They wore the usual -armor of their country, a helmet, greaves, light cuirass, and -sword, and danced a national dance to the sound of a flute, -leaping into the air with extraordinary nimbleness, and -brandishing their swords. One pair of dancers were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> -conspicuous for their agility. Faster and faster grew their -movements, and with gestures of defiance they alternately -retreated and advanced. At last, one of them, carried, it -seemed, out of himself by his rage, thrust at his fellow with -his sword. The man fell.</p> - -<p>“He is killed!” screamed out the guests, and rose from -their seats.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the man had fallen so artistically and lay so still -that any one would have thought that he had received a -fatal blow. The Greeks, however, looked on unmoved, and -the strangers, not knowing whether this wonderful people -might not be wont to kill each other for the entertainment -of their guests, resumed their seats. The dancer who had -dealt the blow stripped the other of his arms, and hurried -off, singing the Thracian national song:</p> - -<p class="poem"> -“All praise to Sitalces,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Invisible Lord,</span><br /> -The spear point that errs not,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The death-dealing sword,</span><br /> -The chariot that scatters<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The close ranks of war,</span><br /> -Red Ruin behind it,<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Blind Panic before!”</span><br /> -</p> - -<p>When he had left the stage a party of Thracians appeared -and carried off the fallen man, who had remained without -giving the slightest sign of life.</p> - -<p>Another dance in armor succeeded, performed this time -by Æolian tribesmen from the Menalian coast. A man -came on the stage, and, laying aside his arms, made believe -to drive a yoke of oxen, and to sow as he drove. Every now -and then he looked round, with an admirable imitation of -expecting some unpleasant interruption. This came in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> -shape of another armed man, who was supposed to represent -a cattle-lifter. The ploughman caught up his arms, and ran -to encounter him. The two fought in front of the team, -keeping time as they struck and parried to the sound of the -flute. At last the robber appeared to vanquish his adversary, -to bind him, strip him of his arms, and drive off the -team.</p> - -<p>The next performer was a Mysian, who danced, again in -armor, what we should call a <i>pas seul</i>. He had a light -shield in each hand, and seemed to be fighting with two adversaries -at once; his action was extraordinarily life-like -and his agility almost more than human. In curious contrast -with his performance was the stately movement of -some Arcadians heavy-armed, who, with all the weight of -their armor and accoutrements upon them, moved to the -tune of the warriors’ march with as much ease as if they -had been perfectly unencumbered.</p> - -<p>“Good Heavens!” cried one of the envoys to his next -neighbor, “what men these are! Their armor seems not one -whit heavier to them than a shirt, and they carry their -swords and their spears as if they were twigs of osier.”</p> - -<p>One of the Mysians, whose dialect was not very different -from that of the speaker, overheard the remark. “Ah!” -he said to himself, “we will astonish these gentlemen still -more.”</p> - -<p>He drew one of the Arcadians who had just performed, -aside. “Send Cleone on the stage,” he said.</p> - -<p>Cleone was a dancing-girl, famous for her agility.</p> - -<p>By good luck she was at hand, having indeed expected -to perform for the amusement of the company. The Arca<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>dian -made her put on a light cuirass of silvered steel, which -she wore over a scarlet tunic. She had a short gilded helmet, -buskins of purple, and sandals tied with crimson strings. -In her left hand she carried a small shield, and in her right, -a light spear. Thus accoutred, she came on the stage and -danced the Pyrrhic dance with tremendous applause from -all the spectators.</p> - -<p>The astonishment of the native guests was beyond all expression.</p> - -<p>“What!” cried their chief, “do your women fight?”</p> - -<p>“Of course,” said the General whom he addressed, “of -course they fight, and very pretty soldiers they make.”</p> - -<p>“Women soldiers!” gasped the man.</p> - -<p>“Why,” said his host, “did you not know that it was the -women who routed the Great King, and drove him out of -our camp?”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> - -<small>INVALIDED.</small></h2> - - -<p>Callias found it very hard to sit out the banquet and -the entertainment that followed it. He had felt a headache -before sitting, or to speak more correctly, lying down, and -this grew so bad during the evening that he gladly took the -earliest opportunity of leaving. The fact was that he had -been ailing for some days; the excitement of the games had -carried him through the labors of the day, but he suffered -doubly from the reaction, and before nightfall he was -seriously ill.</p> - -<p>And now he found the advantage of having followed -Xenophon’s advice and taken up his quarters in the town. -Had he been reduced to such nursing and attendance as the -camp could have supplied, his chances of moving would -have been small indeed. At the house of Demochares, on -the contrary, he had everything in his favor, an exceptionally -good nurse, and an exceptionally skillful physician. In -those days neither branch of the healing art, for nursing -has certainly as much to do with healing as physicking, -was very successfully cultivated. Women nursed the sick, -indeed, often with kindness and devotion, for woman’s -nature was substantially the same then as it is now, but -they did it in a blind and ignorant fashion. As for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> -practice of medicine it was a mass of curious superstitions -and prejudices, leavened here and there with a few grains -of experience, and, if the practitioner happened to have that -inestimable quality, of good sense. Of systems there was -only the beginning. The great physician Hippocrates had -indeed acquired a vast reputation, and was beginning to influence -the opinion of the faculty throughout Greece; but -the medical profession has always been slow to adopt new -ideas—what profession, indeed, has not?—the means of -communication, too, were very limited, and as yet his teaching -had had but little effect.</p> - -<p>But Callias happened to be exceedingly fortunate both in -his nurse and in his doctor. The house of Demochares was -kept by his sister, a widow, who after her husband’s death -had returned to her old home, and had devoted herself to a -life of kindness and charity. The young Athenian had won -her heart, not only by his sunny temper and gracious manners, -but by his resemblance to a son of her own whose -early death—he had been slain in a skirmish with the barbarian -neighbors of Trapezus—had been the second great -sorrow of her life. His illness called forth her tenderest -sympathies, and nothing could have exceeded the devotion -with which she ministered to her patient.</p> - -<p>The physician, Demoleon by name, was a very remarkable -man. He was a native of the island of Cos, and was at -this time between fifty and sixty years of age. He had been -one of the first pupils of the famous Hippocrates, who was -a native of the same island, and had lived on terms of great -intimacy with his teacher whom he assisted in his -private practice. When Hippocrates was summoned to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> -plague-stricken city of Athens, Demoleon accompanied him, -and, by a curious coincidence, in the course of his residence -there had treated the father of Callias. Whatever the benefit -that followed the prescriptions of Hippocrates, it is certain -that the fact of his being called in to administer them by the -most famous citizen of Greece, largely increased his reputation, -and that even beyond the border of Greece. The great -physician’s return from Athens was speedily followed by an -invitation from Artaxerxes, King of Persia.<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> The plague -that had devastated Greece had passed eastward, and was -committing destructive ravages throughout the Persian -Empire. Artaxerxes implored Hippocrates to give him and -his subjects the benefit of his advice. He offered at the -same time the magnificent <i>honorarium</i> of two talents of -gold yearly.<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> The patriotism or the prudence of Hippocrates -led him to refuse this offer, tempting as it was. He would -not, he said, and doubtless with sincerity, give the benefit -of his advice to the hereditary enemy of his country. At -the same time, we may suppose, he reflected to himself that -he would be putting himself, without any possibility of appeal, -at the mercy of a tyrannical and unscrupulous master. -But one of the Persian envoys succeeded in doing a little -business of the same kind on his own account. He found -the pupil less resolute against the temptations of a great -bribe than the master had been. Accordingly he engaged -Demoleon to come in the capacity of physician to himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> -and his household. The King would have the opportunity -of availing himself of his advice if he pleased. Artaxerxes -was disappointed at the refusal of Hippocrates, but he did -not disdain the help of a man who had shared his practice, -and was probably acquainted with his system. Demoleon -prescribed at Susa and Persepolis the remedies which his -master had employed at Athens, the burning of huge fires -in the street and squares, and the use of an antidote. The -pestilence either yielded to these influences, or, as is more -probable, had exhausted its force. At any rate Demoleon got -the credit of having vanquished the enemy, and was rewarded -by a munificent present from the King and by an -enormous practice.</p> - -<p>He might have accumulated great wealth but for -an unlucky complication for which he can scarcely -be considered to have been to blame. Necessity sometimes -compelled a departure, in the case of the physician, -from the strict rules of seclusion with which the Persian -women were surrounded. Demoleon was called in to -visit the daughter of a Persian noble. She was a beautiful -girl, or rather would have been beautiful but for the fact -that she was blind. It was a case of cataract, and the Greek -physician, who was as bold as he was skillful, ventured on -an operation which at that time had scarcely been attempted, -or even thought of. It proved entirely successful. The -gratitude of the father was shown by a munificent present -of gold and jewels; that of the daughter by the gift of her -heart. One of the very first objects on which her eyes -rested when the bandage was permitted to be removed was -the form of the young physician who had restored to her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> -one of the greatest joys of life. Under any circumstances -it was likely to please her; and Demoleon was in the bloom -of early manhood, and his fair complexion and golden hair -showed in attractive contrast to the swarthy hues of her -countrymen. The result was that she fell deeply in love. -Demoleon was not without prudence, and would have -hesitated to listen to any promptings of his own heart, for -he too had been greatly impressed by the beauty and grace -as well as by the pathetic patience of the sufferer. Amestris—that -was the young lady’s name—guessed readily -enough that the physician would not venture to speak, and -she took the matter into her own hands. She did not speak -herself; for that, passionate as was her affection, would have -been impossible; but she got some one to speak for her. -Her nurse—the nurse was generally the <i>confidante</i> of antiquity—undertook -the task of communicating with the -young man. One day she gave him a pomegranate, saying -at the same time that he would find the fruit especially -sweet. Her words would have seemed ordinary enough to -any one that might have happened to hear them; but the -young physician, whose feelings made him susceptible, -suspected, he could not say why, a particular meaning. -Opening the fruit he found a ring engraved with a single -Greek word—<i>Be Bold</i>. The next day he thanked the giver -of the fruit with emphasis. “It was sweet to the core,” he -said.</p> - -<p>After that the affair proceeded rapidly. The young -man, who, as may be guessed, did not hurry the case of his -patient, found an opportunity of declaring his love, and in -the following summer the two lovers fled together. All the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> -arrangements had been carefully made. The girl feigned -sickness, and the physician prescribed a residence among -the hills and a simpler life and plainer diet than the patient -was likely to get in her father’s house. Her foster-mother -was the wife of a sheep master who rented some extensive -pasture on the hills of Southern Armenia, and it was settled -that Amestris should pay her a visit. The lady was sent off -under a small escort, no one dreaming that the family of an -influential noble would be molested on its journey. Yet, -curiously enough, a band of brigands was bold enough to -enter the caravanserai where the party was lodging on the -fourth night after their departure from Susa. Certainly the -keeper of the inn, and, possibly, the commander of the -escort, had been bribed—Demoleon’s successful practice had -put him in the command of as much money as he wanted. -For a long time Amestris absolutely disappeared. Her -father searched everywhere and offered munificent rewards -for information, but he could find and hear nothing. No -one knew that a couple of travellers, who might have been -two brothers journeying in company and followed by three -well armed servants, were in fact Demoleon, Amestris, and -the pretended robbers. The party followed much the same -route as was afterwards taken by the Ten Thousand, and, -after not a few hair-breadth escapes, arrived in safety at the -same destination,—the city of Trapezus.</p> - -<p>Three years of happiness followed. Then the beautiful -Persian died. She never repented of having given -her heart to the young physician, who was the best -and most affectionate of husbands. But she missed her -family and all the associations of her early life, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> -pined away under the loss. Return was impossible; she -could not go back without her husband, and to return -with him would have been to expose him, if not herself, to -the certainty of death. The hopelessness of the situation -broke her heart; and all her husband’s skill, even the more -potent influence of her husband’s love, failed to work a cure.</p> - -<p>The widower could not prevail upon himself to leave the -place where he had enjoyed his short-lived happiness. He -might have gained wealth and fame in larger cities, but he -preferred to spend the rest of his days at Trapezus. There, -indeed, he was almost worshipped. He had a singularly light -and skillful hand; his experience, though, of course, not so -large as he might have collected elsewhere, was always -ready for use; and he had the rare, the incommunicable -gift of felicitous guessing—guessing we call it, but it is -really the power of forming rapid conclusions from a number -of trifling, often half discerned indications. Anyhow he -achieved some very marvellous cures; performed with success -operations which others did not venture to attempt; -diagnosed diseases with remarkable skill, and was extraordinarily -fertile in his expedients. It was specially characteristic -of him that while he was never satisfied till he had -thoroughly enquired into the causes of disease, he was unwearied -in his efforts to relieve the inconvenience and painfulness -of a patient’s symptoms.</p> - -<p>So alarming did the condition of Callias become after his -return from the banquet, that Demoleon was called in without -loss of time. All that he could do at the moment was -to give a sleeping draught, intending to make a thorough -examination of the case next morning.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> - -<p>Shortly after sunrise he was by the bedside. Callias was -conscious enough to be able to describe his feelings; what -he said indicated plainly enough that his illness had -been developing for some days past, and had been postponed -by sheer courage and determination. It was in fact something -like what we call gastric fever; and the experienced -physician saw enough to convince him that he should have -a hard battle to fight. The patient was young, vigorous, -apparently sound of constitution, and, as far as he could -learn, of temperate habits. All this was in favor of recovery; -but it was not more than was needed to give a glimpse of -hope.</p> - -<p>Demochares, who had a strong regard for the young man, -as indeed every one had that had been brought into contact -with him, intercepted the physician as he was leaving the -house after a prolonged examination of the patient.</p> - -<p>“How do you find him?” he asked.</p> - -<p>Demoleon shook his head. The gesture was not exactly -despairing, but it indicated plainly enough that the situation -was serious.</p> - -<p>“You will put him all right before long?” returned the -merchant, alarmed at the gravity of the physician’s manner.</p> - -<p>“All these things lie on the knees of the gods,” said -Demoleon, quoting from his favorite Homer. (It was a -maxim of his that a man who did not know his Homer was -little better than a fool.) It may be said that the physician -was more than a little brusque in manner and speech. -Twenty years of solitary life had made him so, for since his -wife’s death he had held aloof from all the social life of the -place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> - -<p>“What ails him?” enquired the merchant.</p> - -<p>“A fever,” was the brief reply.</p> - -<p>“Does it run high?”</p> - -<p>“Very high indeed.”</p> - -<p>“You have bled him, of course.”</p> - -<p>The physician’s answers to enquiries were generally as -short as the rules of politeness permitted; occasionally, -some of his questioners were disposed to think, even shorter; -but there were remarks that always made him fluent of -speech, though the fluency was not always agreeable to his -audience.</p> - -<p>“Bleed him, sir,” he cried, “why don’t you say at once -stab him, poison him? No, sir, I have not bled him, and do -not intend to.”</p> - -<p>“I thought that it was usual in such cases,” said the -merchant timidly.</p> - -<p>“Very likely you did,” answered Demoleon, “and there -are persons, I do not doubt, who would have done it, persons, -too, who ought to know better.” This was levelled at -a rival practitioner in the town for whom he entertained a -most thorough contempt. “Do you know, sir,” he went -on, “where men learnt the practice of bleeding?”</p> - -<p>“No, I do not,” said Demochares.</p> - -<p>“It was from the hippopotamus. That animal has been -observed to bleed himself. Doubtless the operation does -him good. But it does not follow that what is good for an -animal as big as a cottage is good also for a man. Doubtless -there <i>are</i> men for whom it is good. When I have to deal -with a mountain of a man, one of your city dignitaries -bloated by rich feeding, by chines of beef and pork and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> -flagons of rich wine, I don’t hesitate to bleed him. His -thick skin, his rolls of fat flesh, seem to require it. In fact -he is a human hippopotamus. But to bleed a spare young -fellow, who has been going through months of labor and -hard living would be to kill him. I wonder that you can -suggest such a thing.”</p> - -<p>“I am sure I am very sorry,” said the merchant humbly.</p> - -<p>“Happily no harm is done,” replied the physician, cooling -down a little. “And, after all, this is not your business, -and you may be excused for your ignorance, but there are -others,” he went off muttering in a low voice, “who ought -to know better, and ought to be punished for such folly. It -is sheer murder.”</p> - -<p>I do not intend to describe the course of the long illness -of which this was the beginning. There were times when -even the hopefulness of the physician—and his hopefulness -was one of his strongest and most helpful qualities—failed -him. Relapse after relapse, coming with disheartening -frequency, just when he had seemed to have gathered a -little strength, brought him close to the gates of death.</p> - -<p>“I have done all that I can,” said Demoleon one evening -to Epicharis the nurse. “If any one is to save him, it -must be you. If you want me, send for me, of course. -Otherwise I shall not come. It breaks my heart to see this -fine young fellow dying, when there are hundreds of worthless -brutes whom the earth would be better without.”</p> - -<p>Epicharis never lost heart; for a nurse to lose heart is -more fatal than the physician’s despair. For nearly a week -she scarcely slept. Not a single opportunity of administering -some strengthening food did she lose—for now the fever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> -had passed, and the danger lay in the excessive exhaustion. -At last her patience was rewarded. The sick man turned -the corner, and Demoleon, summoned at last, to alleviate, -he feared, the last agony, found, to his inexpressible delight, -that the cure was really begun.</p> - -<p>“You are the physician,” he cried, as he seized the nurse’s -hand and kissed it; “I am only a fool.”</p> - -<p>Winter had passed into spring, and spring into summer, -before Callias could be pronounced out of danger. Even -then his recovery was slow. Some months were spent in a -mountain village where the bracing air worked wonders in -giving him back his strength. As the cold weather came -on he returned to his comfortable home in Trapezus. -Though scarcely an invalid, he was still a little short of -perfect recovery. Besides it was not the time for travelling. -Anyhow it was the spring of the following year, and now -more than twelve months from the time of his first illness, -when he was pronounced fit to travel. Even then it was -only something like flat rebellion on the part of his patient -that induced Demoleon to give way. The young man was -wearying for home and friends. He had heard nothing of -them for several months, for communication was always -stopped during the winter between Athens and the ports of -the Euxine, while the eastward bound ships that always -started after the dangerous season of the equinox had passed, -had not yet arrived.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> - -<small>BACK TO ATHENS.</small></h2> - - -<p>Callias started about the middle of April, according to -our reckoning. His journey to the Bosphorus was much -retarded by contrary winds. For some days no progress -could be made, and it was well into May before he reached -Byzantium. There he was fortunate enough to get a passage -in a Spartan despatch boat, which took him as far as the -port of Corinth, thus carrying him, of course, beyond his -destination, but to a point from which it was easy for him -to find his way to Athens. It was about the beginning of -June when he landed at the Piraeus. He did not doubt for -a moment about the place where his first visit was due. The -fact was that he had no near relations. The kinsman who -was his legal guardian had always given up the business of -looking after his ward’s property to Hippocles; and now -that Callias was his own master, there was little more than -a friendly acquaintance between the two cousins. The -alien’s house was, he felt, his real home, nor had he given -up the hope that in spite of Hermione’s strongly expressed -determination, he might some day become a member of his -family.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1024px;"> -<img src="images/i_291.jpg" width="1024" height="642" alt="THE ACROPOLIS AT THE PRESENT DAY." title="" /> -<span class="caption">THE ACROPOLIS AT THE PRESENT DAY.</span> -</div> - -<p>Hippocles happened to have just returned from his business -at the shipyard, when the young Athenian presented -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> -himself at the gate. Nothing could be warmer than the -welcome he gave his visitor.</p> - -<p>“Now Zeus and Athene be thanked for this,” he cried as -he wrung the young man’s hand. “That you had come -back safely from the country of the Great King I heard. -Your friend Xenophon told me so much in a letter that I -had from him about a year ago. Then I heard from him -that you were dangerously ill. After that all was a -blank, and I feared the worst. But why not a word all -this time?”</p> - -<p>“Pardon me, my dear friend, I think I may say that it -was not my fault. For months I was simply too ill to write. -When I came back to Trapezus, the winter had begun, and -there were no more ships sailing westward. I should have -written when communications were opened again, but I was -always in hopes of being allowed by the physician to start, -and I had a fancy for bringing my own news. And how -are you?”</p> - -<p>“I am well enough,” replied Hippocles, “but we have -been passing through times bad enough to shorten any -man’s life. I don’t speak of trade. There have been -troubles there, but when one has ventures all over the -world, it does not matter very much as far as profits are -concerned, if things do not go right at one place or another. -It has been the state of home affairs that has been the -heaviest burden to bear. I thought we had touched the -bottom when the city had to surrender to Lysander. But -it was not so, and I might have known better. The Spartans, -of course, upset the democracy.”</p> - -<p>“Well,” interrupted Callias, “I should have thought that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> -that would not have been by any means an altogether unmixed -evil.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Hippocles, “and there have been times when -I have been ready to think the same. But wait till you see -an oligarchy in power, really in power, I mean, not with a -possible appeal to the people, and so a chance of having to -answer for themselves before them, but with a strong -foreign garrison behind them. We had that state of things -in Athens for more than half a year. One might almost -say that it was like a city taken by storm. No man’s life -was safe unless he was willing to do the bidding of the Tyrants—the -“Thirty Tyrants” was the nickname of the men -that were in power in those days. Who would have thought -that Theramenes would ever have been regretted by honest -men? Yet it was so. He thought his colleagues were going -too far, and opposed them. He was carrying the Senate -with him, for many besides him were beginning to feel uncomfortable; -so they murdered him. The Thirty had, you -must know, a sort of sham general assembly—three thousand -citizens picked out of the whole number as holding strong -oligarchical opinions. Amongst the laws that they had made -one was that none of these Three Thousand were to be condemned -without a vote of the Senate. The name of Theramenes -was, of course, on the list, and, as he had a majority -of the Senate with him, he seemed safe. Well what did -Critias, who was the leader of the violent party, do? He -filled the outer circle of the Senate house with armed men, -the Senate, you must understand, sitting in the middle surrounded -by them. Then he got up and said, ‘A good -president, when he sees the body over which he presides<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> -about to be duped, does not suffer them to follow their own -counsel. Theramenes has duped you, and I and these men -here will not suffer one who is the enemy of his country to -do so any longer. I have therefore struck his name off the -list of the Three Thousand. This leaves me and my colleagues -free to deal with him without your assent.’ The -Senate murmured, but dared do nothing more. The officers -came and dragged the man from the altar to which he was -clinging. An hour afterwards he had drunk the hemlock. -The gods below be propitious to him, for great as were his -misdeeds he died in a good cause and as a brave man should -die.<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> Things have not been so bad since the ‘Thirty’ were -upset, but there is a sad story to tell you.”</p> - -<p>Callias paused awhile. At last he screwed up his courage -to put a question which he had both longed and feared to -put ever since he had set foot in the house.</p> - -<p>“And your daughter, is she well?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, she is well.”</p> - -<p>“And still with you?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, she is at home,” briefly answered the father.</p> - -<p>Hermione had in fact, refused several offers which every -one else had thought highly eligible. Hippocles, though by -no means anxious to lose a daughter who was not only a -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>companion but a counsellor, was growing anxious at what -appeared her manifest determination to remain single. He -would have dearly liked to have a son-in-law who would be -able to take up in time the burden of his huge business, a -burden which he began to feel already somewhat heavy for -his strength. Callias would have been entirely to his heart, -but he had accepted, though not without great reluctance, -his daughter’s views on this subject. That she should deny -the young Athenian’s suit, and yet for his sake dismiss all -other suitors—and this he began to suspect to be the fact—seemed -to his practical mind a quite unreasonable course of -action. When a distant kinsman from Italy, a handsome -youth of gracious manners and of unexceptionable character, -with even a tincture of culture, was emphatically refused, -Hippocles ventured a remonstrance. Its reception was such -that he resolved never under any circumstances to repeat it. -Hermione had been always the most obedient of daughters, -but this roused her to open rebellion. “Father,” she said, -“in this matter I am and must be a freeborn Italian. A -Greek father can arrange a marriage for his daughter, but -you must not think of it. I shall give myself as my mother -gave herself before me—if I could find one as worthy as she -did,” and she caught her father’s hand and kissed it, breaking -at the same time into a passion of tears. “Forgive me,” -she went on in a broken voice, “for setting up myself -against you; but if you love me, never speak on this subject -again.” And her father resolved that he never would.</p> - -<p>The young Athenian felt a glow of renewed hope pass -through him at the father’s reply, studiously brief and cold -as it was. Anyhow Hermione was not married. What<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> -could ever occur to change her purpose he did not care to -speculate. Nevertheless, as long as she did not belong to -another, he need not despair.</p> - -<p>“You will dine with me of course,” said Hippocles to his -visitor, “by good luck I have invited Xenophon. Doubtless -that is he,” he went on, as a kick was heard at the door.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a></p> - -<p>A few moments afterwards a slave introduced Xenophon; -and before the two friends had finished their greetings it -was announced that dinner had been served.</p> - -<p>Hermione was not present at the meal, nor did her father -make any excuse for her absence. The presence of any -guest not belonging to the regular family circle, was sufficient -to account for it; and Callias, though he hoped against hope -to see her, could not but acknowledge to himself that a -meeting would have been highly embarrassing.</p> - -<p>Conversation did not flag during the meal. When it was -finished, the host excused himself on the score of having -some business matters on hand which did not brook delay; -and Xenophon and Callias were left to talk over each other’s -adventures.</p> - -<p>When Callias had told the story with which my readers -are already acquainted, Xenophon proceeded to give him a -brief outline of his fortunes since they had parted.</p> - -<p>“Well, my dear Callias,” he said, “you did not lose much -by not being with us. While we were in danger, we stuck -fairly together, though there were always cowardly and -selfish fellows who thought, not of the general welfare, but -only of their own skins or their own pockets. But when -we were safe at the coast and among friends, then there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> -arose endless division. And, indeed, I must allow that the -situation of the army was very trying. Here were thousands -of men who lived by their pay, and there was no paymaster. -I had a scheme of my own which would really have kept us -together. If it could have been carried out, the gathering -of the Ten Thousand, even though it had failed of its first -object, would not have been altogether in vain. I wanted -to found a new Greek colony. We might have taken -Pharis or some other city of the barbarians; and if only half -of my comrades had been willing to stay, we might have -made a rich and powerful place of it before long. But it was -not to be. Perhaps I was not worthy of being the founder -of such a colony; anyhow the scheme came to nothing. I -will tell you how it was. You remember Silanus, the soothsayer. -I never trusted the man. He was quite capable of -garbling signs to suit his own advantage. However I -could not help going to him on this occasion, as he was the -chief of his craft. So I said, ‘Offer sacrifices and determine -the omens concerning this scheme of a new colony.’ Now -Silanus was about the only man who had any money in his -pocket. Cyrus had given him three thousand darics<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> for a -prophecy that had come true, and he wanted to get home -with the spoil. So he was altogether against the idea of a -colony. When he had sacrificed he could not say that the -omens were altogether against the scheme; for I knew -nearly as much about the matter as he did. What he did -say was that there were indications of a conspiracy against -me. And he took good care to make them true, for he -spread about reports of what I was going to do that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> -turned the army against me. So the scheme came to -nothing.</p> - -<p>“This did one good thing, however, for it helped us on our -way home. Trapezus and the other colonies in the east of -the Euxine did not relish the idea of a new Greek city which -might turn out to be a formidable rival. So they offered to -transport the army to the Hellespont and to furnish pay -from the first new moon after the departure. This seemed -a good offer, and I recommended the soldiers to close with -it, and said that I gave up my scheme. ‘Only,’ I said, ‘let -us all keep together and let any one who leaves us be -counted a malefactor.’ For I did not choose that my friend -the soothsayer should get the better of it.</p> - -<p>“Well, we set sail; our first halt was at Sinope, which is -roughly speaking, about halfway between Trapezus and -Byzantium. Then the army wanted to make me commander-in-chief. -Happily the omen was against it, and I was able -to decline. We started again, and got to Heraclea. The -people were very hospitable; but some scoundrels in the -army wanted to lay a contribution upon the city. Chirisophus, -the Spartan—I should have told you that on my refusal -the army gave him the chief command—refused to -have anything to do with such an abominable business, and -I backed him up. Of course the city shut its gates against -us, and we got nothing at all. After this the army broke up -into three. One of the divisions, made up of Arcadians and -Achaeans, the most unscrupulous and greedy of the whole -number, got into serious trouble when they were trying to -plunder the country, and I had to rescue them, for two -thousand men had stuck to me when the army was thus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> -broken up. Then the other division under Chirisophus -were nearly as badly off, and I had to get them out of a -scrape. After this they came together again, and it was -made a matter of death for anyone to propose a separation.</p> - -<p>“It was well we did, for everyone seemed bent on treating -us as villanously as possible. Would you believe that the -Spartan governor of Byzantium actually sold as slaves four -hundred soldiers who had found their way into the city? It -is true that they were stragglers and had no business there; -but it was an abominable act. At last, one Seuthes, who -had been chief of the Odrysians, and deposed by a usurper, -offered to take the whole army into his pay, if we would -help him to recover his dominions. Every man was to receive -a stater<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> per month, the captains twice, and the -generals four times as much. Also he offered lands, oxen -to plough it with, and a city with walls. In fact the colony -scheme seemed likely to be carried out after all. To me he -was very munificent in his promises. I was to have one of -his daughters to wife and a city of my own.”</p> - -<p>“What did you say to that?” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“Well, the only one of these things that Seuthes really -had in his possession was the daughter. I saw the young -lady, handsome I will allow, and tall; but, oh, such a -savage! As for the money, and the land, and the oxen, and -the towns, walled and unwalled, we had to get them for him -and then have our portion back. However, it seemed to me -the best thing for the army to do, and I advised the men to -that effect, and they agreed, only it was provided that we -were never to march more than seven days’ journey from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> -the seacoast. We had all had enough of marches up the -country. Then Seuthes gave us a feast by way of striking -the bargain.</p> - -<p>“It was a wonderful scene, and some day I must tell you -all about it. But I must own that for a time I felt as uncomfortable -as ever I did in my life. After dinner when the -bowl had passed round two or three times, in came a Thracian -leading a white horse. He took the bowl from the cup-bearer, -and said, ‘Here is a health to thee, King Seuthes. -Let me give you this horse. Mounted on him thou shalt -take whom thou wilt, and when thou retirest from the -battle thou shalt dread no pursuer.’ Then another gave a -slave, and another some robes for the Queen, and a fourth a -silver saucer and a finely embroidered carpet. All the while -I was sitting in an agony, for I was in the place of honor, -and had nothing to offer. However ‘our lady of Athens,’ -who is the inspirer of clever devices, and, it may be Father -Bacchus also, for I had drained two or three cups, helped me -out of my difficulty. When the cup-bearer handed me the -goblet, I rose and said, ‘King Seuthes, I present you with -myself and these my trusty comrades. With their help you -will recover the lands that were your forefathers’ and gain -many new lands with them. Nor shall you win lands only, -but horses many, and men many, and fair women also.’ -Up got the King, at this, and we drained the cup together.</p> - -<p>“Seuthes was not going to let the grass grow under his feet. -When we left the banqueting tent—this was at sunset because -we wanted to set the guards about our camp—the King, -who, for all his potations, was as sober as a water-drinker, -sent for the generals and said, ‘My neighbors have not yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> -heard of this alliance of ours. Let us go and take them by -surprise.’ And so we did. We went that night and brought -back booty enough to pay for our day’s pay, I warrant you.</p> - -<p>“Well, we went on fighting for Seuthes for two months till -we had conquered the whole countryside for him. Then -the conquered tribes flocked to him—give a Thracian plenty -to eat and drink and good pay and he will fight in any -quarrel—till he did not want any more. That perhaps was -not to be wondered at, but, like the mean hound that he was, -he tried to get out of paying us.</p> - -<p>“Just at this moment when I thought that we should have -to settle with the sword for judge, Sparta declared war -against the Persians and wanted all the men she could get. -So Thuisbron, their commander-in-chief, came over and engaged -the men at the same rate of pay that Seuthes was -giving or rather promising. We never got anything but a -wretched fragment from the King.</p> - -<p>“By this time I had had about enough of campaigning of -this fashion. Not a drachma had I made. In fact I was -poorer than when I set out. I had even to sell my favorite -horse, but Thuisbron bought it back for me.</p> - -<p>“Just at the last I had a stroke of luck. That is another -story I must tell you some day. But fortunately we took -prisoners a Persian noble with his wife and children, his -horses and cattle and all that he had. The next day I left -the army, but before I went they gave me the pick of the -beasts of all kinds. It was a handsome present, I can tell -you.”</p> - -<p>“So, on the whole,” said Callias, “you came pretty well -out of the business. You returned at least not poorer than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> -you went, you have won for yourself a name which those -who come after us will not, I take it, forget, and you helped, -at least, to save the lives of many Greeks from perishing -shamefully by the hands of the barbarians. Are you not -content?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Xenophon, “all the more content on -account of one thing you have not mentioned. For this indeed -pleases me in the matter that we Greeks have now -found a way by which we may both go to the capital of the -Persians and return therefrom. Verily, I sometimes wish -we had not been so eager to retreat, but had stopped and -made ourselves masters of the country of our enemies. Perhaps -we were not strong enough; but, if I can see so far into -the future, some one will do this hereafter, and Greece will -be avenged of all that she has suffered at the hands of the -barbarians.”</p> - -<p>“The Master will be glad,” Callias went on after a pause.</p> - -<p>The “Master” of course was Socrates. Xenophon looked -at the young man with some surprise.</p> - -<p>“You seem very confident on this point. He indeed was -always somewhat doubtful, and certainly there are great -difficulties when you come to look into it a little more -closely.”</p> - -<p>“I really do not know what you mean,” answered Callias; -“you have seen him I suppose, for you have been in Athens -several days and know what he thinks.”</p> - -<p>For a few moments Xenophon stared at the speaker in -utter perplexity. Then a light broke in upon him. “What,” -he cried, “you do not know? You have not heard?”</p> - -<p>“Know what? Have heard what? You speak in riddles.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>”</p> - -<p>“That he is dead.”</p> - -<p>The young man covered his face with his hands. After a -few minutes he recovered calmness enough to speak. “No, -indeed, I did not know it. I never thought of such a thing. -He seemed so full of life and vigor. Yet he must have been -an old man, not far from seventy I suppose, for he was -more than forty at Delium.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> Tell me of what did he die?”</p> - -<p>“They killed him.”</p> - -<p>“Killed him! Who killed him?”</p> - -<p>“The people of Athens.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> - -<small>THE STORY OF THE TRIAL.</small></h2> - - -<p>It is not too much to say that the young man was prostrated -by the news which he had just heard, for the blow -fell upon him with a suddenness that seemed to increase the -pain tenfold. He had not been indeed on the same intimate -terms of friendship with the great philosopher as the older -disciples, Crito, Simmias, Cebes, Phaedo and others had -been. But he had regarded him with an affection and admiration -that was nothing less than enthusiastic; and he -had looked forward to getting his advice about the future -conduct of his life with a hopeful eagerness that made disappointment -very bitter. To find himself in Athens after -all the vicissitudes of fortune through which he had passed, -and to learn that the man without whom Athens scarcely -seemed itself, was lost to him forever, was a terrible shock. -Xenophon’s sorrow had not been less keen, but he had been -prepared for his loss by at least a few days’ previous knowledge. -The news had reached him while he was on his way, -and the first shock was over when he landed. But there -had been nothing to break the news to Callias. He felt as a -son might feel who returns home after a long absence in -full expectation of a father’s greeting, and finds himself an -orphan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> - -<p>So overpowered was the young man that he felt solitude -to be absolutely necessary for a time.</p> - -<p>“Let me talk to you about it another day,” he said to -Xenophon, “at present I am not master of myself.”</p> - -<p>Xenophon clasped his friend’s hand with a warm and -sympathetic pressure. “I understand,” he said. “Yet, I -think it will comfort you when you hear how he bore himself -at the last and what he said. Come to me to-morrow; -Hippocles will tell you where I live.”</p> - -<p>Early the next morning, Callias presented himself at -Xenophon’s house, a modest little dwelling, not far from -the garden of Academus. He found him in the company -of some friends, most of whom were more or less known to -the young man as having been members of the circle which -had been accustomed to listen to the teaching of the great -master. Crito, Menexenus and Æschines, and the two -Thebans, Cebes and Simmias, were among the number; and -there were others whom he did not recognize. He was -greeted with kindness and even distinction. His host had -evidently been giving a favorable account of him to the -company.</p> - -<p>“I thought it best,” Xenophon went on to explain, “to -ask some of those who were actually present when these -things happened, to meet you. I myself, as you know, was -not here; and it is well that you should hear a story so important -from eye-witnesses, men who saw his demeanor -with their own eyes, and heard his words with their own -ears.”</p> - -<p>“I thank you,” said Callias. “But tell me first how it -was that such things came to pass. It seems incredible to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> -me. I have heard that here and there a man has been found -so monstrously wicked that he could kill his own father, -though Solon thought it so impossible a crime that he would -impose no penalty on it. But that a whole people should -be stricken with such madness of wickedness seems to pass -all imagination or belief.”</p> - -<p>“Ah! you do not understand,” said Simmias; “I am a -foreigner you know; and those who look at things from -outside often see more of them than they who are within. I -had long thought that Socrates was making many enemies -in Athens. And verily if he had said such things in my -own city, as he said here, I doubt whether he had been -suffered to live so long.”</p> - -<p>“But he always spoke true things,” said the young man, -“and things that were to the real profit of his hearers.”</p> - -<p>“Just so,” replied Simmias, “but that they were true -and profitable did not make them pleasant, or the speaker -of them welcome. What think you would happen to a -school-master if his pupils whom he daily corrects and disciplines, -sometimes with hard tasks and sometimes with -blows, were permitted to judge him, or to a physician if -the children whom he seeks to cure of their ailments with -nauseous drugs, or, it may be, with the knife or cautery, -had him in their power?”</p> - -<p>“Truly, it might fare ill with him,” Callias confessed, -thinking to himself of certain angry thoughts that in his -own boyhood he had cherished against his own teacher and -doctor.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Crito, “Simmias is right, nor did this matter -escape the notice of us Athenians, though we did not per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>ceive -it so plainly. You, I know, have been much absent -from Athens since you grew to manhood, yet you must have -seen something of this. You were here, for example, when -the admirals were condemned after the battle at Arginusæ. -Is it not so?”</p> - -<p>“I was here,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“And you know how Socrates set himself against the -will of the people, refusing to put to the vote a proposal -which he believed to be unconstitutional. Well, he suffered -nothing at that time, because their will prevailed in spite -of him. Yet we saw that there were many who remembered -this against him, and only waited for the opportunity of -avenging themselves upon him. Nor was he less constant -in opposing the few, when he believed them to be acting -wrongfully, than in opposing the many. Listen now, to -what he did and said in the days of the Thirty. Were you -in Athens at that time?”</p> - -<p>“No,” replied Callias, “I left the city, or rather was -carried away from it—” at this there was a general laugh, -most of the company having heard of the curious story of -his abduction—“after the murder of the Generals, and did -not set foot in it till the other day.”</p> - -<p>“But you know what manner of men these Thirty were.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I know.”</p> - -<p>“Well, among other vile things that they did was this, -that they put to death many excellent men whom they -conceived to be enemies to themselves. Then Socrates, in -that free way of his, said, ‘If a herdsman were so to manage -his herd that the cattle became fewer and not more, men -would consider him a bad herdsman. Still more would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> -they consider him to be a bad ruler of a city who should so -manage it that the citizens became not more but less -numerous.’ This being reported to Critias, who was a chief -among the Thirty, he sent for Socrates, and said to him, -‘There is a law that no man shall teach or use the art of -words.’ Socrates said, ‘Mean you by this, the art of words -rightly spoken or the art of words wrongly spoken?’ On -this, one Charicles, who was a colleague of Critias, and was -standing by him, broke in violently: ‘Since, Socrates, you -find it so hard to understand an altogether easy thing, take -this as a plain rule, that you are not to talk with young men -at all.’ ‘Truly I desire to obey the law,’ said Socrates; ‘tell -me then what you mean by young men. How young? Up -to what age?’ Charicles said, ‘Up to thirty, at which age -men are able to take part in affairs of the State.’ ‘But,’ -said Socrates, ‘if I desire to buy a thing of a man who is -under thirty, is it permitted me to ask what it costs?’ -‘Yes,’ said Charicles, ‘you may say so much.’ ‘And if a man -under thirty asks me where Critias lives or Charicles lives, -may I answer him?’ ‘Yes, you may answer such questions,’ -said Charicles. Then Critias broke in, ‘But you must -not talk about blacksmiths and coppersmiths and tanners; -and indeed you have worn these themes pretty well threadbare -by this time.’ ‘Nor about righteousness and wickedness -and such things, I suppose,’ said Socrates. ‘No, indeed, -nor about herdsmen. If you speak of herdsmen and of the -herd being diminished, take care that it be not diminished -by one more, even by you.’”</p> - -<p>Callias listened with delight. “Oh, how like him!” he -cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied Crito, “like him indeed, and truly admirable. -But such things do not please those to whom they are -spoken, especially do not please men in power. Then consider -the number of empty-headed, ignorant fellows whose -vanity and conceit he exposed every day by his pitiless -questioning. There was not a pretentious fool in Athens -whom he had not at some time or other held up to ridicule.”</p> - -<p>“And they deserved it richly,” said Callias.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the other, “but I have never found that a -man liked punishment more because he knew that he -deserved it. So you see that the city was full of his enemies. -And there were some honest men who really believed that -he did harm by his teaching. What with knaves whom he -opposed with all his might, and fools whom he exposed, and -right-minded, wrong-headed men whom he could not help -offending, there was a very formidable host arrayed against -him.”</p> - -<p>“I see,” said Callias. “But they must have had some -pretext, they could not put any of the things you have been -speaking about into a formal charge. Tell me, what did -they accuse him of?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, it was the old story, treason and blasphemy. Men -who would have sold their country for a quarter of a talent, -men who believe in no other gods than their own lusts, were -loud in proclaiming that Socrates had ruined the State, and -was teaching the young not to worship the gods.”</p> - -<p>“Good heavens!” cried Callias, “how dared they utter -such lies? A better patriot, a truer worshipper of the gods -never lived.”</p> - -<p>“You are right; yet, these were the charges against him,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> -these and other things equally absurd, as that he taught -the young to despise their fathers and to think meanly of -all their relatives and friends, as if he himself were the only -friend that was worth having; that he perverted words from -Homer and the old poets to a bad sense, making them mean -that no work was disgraceful so that it brought in gain, and -that it was lawful for kings and nobles to beat the common -people<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a>—these were the charges that they brought against -him. And then they added the accusation that Critias -and Alcibiades who had done great harm to Athens had both -been disciples of his.”</p> - -<p>“But tell me,” said Callias, “how did these liars and -villains proceed? And first, who were they? Who took -the lead?”</p> - -<p>“One Meletus was the chief.”</p> - -<p>“What! The foolish poet whom every one laughs at?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, the very same. He represented the poets. There -was one Lycon, of whom, I suppose, you never heard, who -represented the public speakers, and Anytus, one of those -who came back with Thrasybulus. He had been badly -treated, it is true, banished without any good reason, but -only a madman could have supposed that Socrates had had -anything to do with it. These three brought the indictment. -It was in these words:—</p> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘Socrates is guilty of a crime. He does not acknowledge -the gods whom the State acknowledges, and he introduces -other and new gods. He is also guilty of corrupting the -youth. The penalty—death.’”</p> - -<p>“But such charges hardly needed a defence. Is it possible -that a number of Athenian judges found a verdict of guilty?”</p> - -<p>“It was so indeed,” said Crito, “and I am not sure that -you will be altogether surprised when you hear what the -accused said in his own defence. I am an old man now, -and have watched the courts now for many years; and I -have seen not a few men who might have escaped but for -what they said in their own behalf. Now I can’t tell you -all that Socrates said, or even the greater part of it. Our -friend Plato is going to set it forth regularly in a book that -he is writing. But I can tell you enough to make you see -what I mean.</p> - -<p>“After he had dealt with various other matters—those -calumnies for instance, that Aristophanes set afloat about -him now more than thirty years ago—he went on: ‘Some -years ago, men of Athens, a certain Chaerephon—you know -him; some of you went into exile along with him—having -been my companion from my youth up, ventured to go to -Delphi, and to propose this question to the god: “Is there -any man wiser than Socrates?” The Pythia<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> made reply, -“There is none wiser than he.” When I heard this I said -to myself, what can the god mean? He cannot tell a lie, -yet I am not conscious to myself of possessing any kind of -wisdom. So at last I devised this plan. I went to one of -the men who are reckoned wise, thinking thus to test the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> -oracle, so that I might say, here at least is one that is wiser -than I. Now when I came to examine this man—he was -one of our statesmen, men of Athens,—I found that though -he was accounted wise by many and especially by himself, -he was not wise in reality. But in vain I tried to convince -him, and I even became odious to him and to many others -who were present and admired him. Then I thought to -myself, I am at least wiser than this man, for he not knowing, -thinks that he knows, while I at least know that I do -not know. After this, I went to the poets, tragic, lyrical, -and others, and taking to them poems which they had -written, asked of them what they meant thereby. And I -found that almost always those that had not written these -things knew better what they meant than the authors. So -I concluded that these also were not wise. And at last I -went to the artisans, knowing that they were acquainted -with many things of which I knew nothing. And this, -indeed, I found to be the case. But I also found that, because -they had mastered their own art, each thought himself -very wise in other things, things, too, of the greatest -importance, and that this self-conceit spoilt their wisdom. -These also seemed to be less wise than myself. But all the -time that I was doing this I knew that I was making myself -hateful to many, yet, because I was bound to obey the god -as best I could, I did not desist.</p> - -<p>“‘It is true also that many young men hearing me thus -questioning others have found delight in this employment -and have learnt to imitate me. And they have obtained -this result: they have found many persons who think -that they know much but in reality know nothing. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> -they who are thus discovered are irritated, not so much -against their questioners, but against me whom they suppose -to have taught them this habit. Hence comes this fable of -a certain wicked Socrates who is said to corrupt the young -men.</p> - -<p>“‘Nevertheless, O men of Athens, if you this day release -me, I shall not therefore cease to do that which, as I conceive, -the god commands. I shall go about the city seeking -wisdom; nor shall I cease to say to such as come in my -way, My friend, can you, being a citizen of Athens, the -most famous city of Greece, help being ashamed if you make -riches or rank your highest aim, and care not for that which -is indeed the greatest good? This shall I still do to young -or old, for it is this that the god orders me to do!’”</p> - -<p>Crito paused in his story.</p> - -<p>“Magnificent!” cried Callias, “but how did the judges -take it? It was a downright defiance of them.”</p> - -<p>“Certainly it was, and so they thought it. There was a -tremendous uproar. When the noise had ceased, he began -again:—‘Do not clamor against me, men of Athens, but -hear me patiently; ’tis indeed for your own good that you -should. For be assured that putting me to death, you will -harm yourselves rather than me. For, having rid yourselves -of me, you will not easily find any one who will do -for you the office that I have done, which has been, I take -it, that of a rider upon a horse of good breed, indeed, and -strong, but needing the spur. Such a rider have I been to -the city, sitting close and exciting you continually by persuasion -and reproach. You will not easily find another like -me; and if you are angry with me, yet remember that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> -persons awakened out of sleep are angry with the man who -rouses them, though it may be to the saving of their lives. -And remember this too: what I have done, I have done -without pay; no one can bring up this against me that I -have done anything for gain. If you ask a proof, look at -my poverty—that is proof enough.</p> - -<p>“‘And if any one ask me why I go about meddling -with every body and giving them advice, and yet never -come forward and give any advice about matters of state, I -make him this answer: There is a voice within me, of -which Meletus idly speaks as if it were another god, which -never indeed urges me to do anything, but often warns me -against doing this or that. This same voice has often -warned me against taking part in public affairs, and rightly -so indeed, for be assured that if I had so taken part, I should -long ago have perished. And do not be offended if I tell you -the truth. No man can be safe who opposes things wrong -and illegal that are done by the people. If he would live, -even but for a short time, he must keep to a private station.</p> - -<p>“‘Do you not remember, men of Athens, how when you -had to judge the admirals that did not save the shipwrecked -men at Arginusæ, I would not put the motion to the vote? -For though I had never held any public office I was in the -Senate, and it so chanced that my tribe that day had the -presidency. You chose to judge all the men together, acting -wrongfully, as you afterward acknowledged. And I -alone of all the presidents opposed this thing, and would -not yield, no not when the orators denounced me, and -would have joined me with the accused. This was in the -time of the democracy.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘And afterwards when the democracy was overthrown, -and the oligarchy was in power, what happened? Did not -the Thirty send for me along with four others to their -council-chamber, and bid us fetch Leon of Salamis, that he -might be put to death. This they did, after their habit, -seeking to involve as many as possible in their wicked -deeds. Then also I showed not in words only, but in deeds -that I cared not one jot for death. For in the chamber I -declared that I would not do this thing, and when we had -gone out, the other four indeed went to Salamis, and fetched -Leon, but I went to my own home. Doubtless I should -have died for this act, but that the Thirty were overthrown -soon afterward.</p> - -<p>“‘And what I have done publicly that I have privately -also. Never have I conceded anything that was wrong to -any man. But if any man would hear what I said I never -grudged him the opportunity. I have offered myself to -rich and poor, whether they would question me themselves -or answer my questions, nor have I spoken for pay, nor been -silent because I was not paid, nor have I ever said aught to -any man that I have not said to all.</p> - -<p>“‘So much, men of Athens, might suffice for my defence, -but if any of you, remembering that other men when -accused have brought their children before you seeking to -rouse compassion, are angry with me because I have not so -done, let him listen to me. I, too, have family ties.</p> - -<p>“‘From no gnarled oak I sprang, or flinty rock, as Homer -has it, but am born of man. Three sons I have; two of -them are children, one an infant. Should I then bring -them before you, and seek to move your pity by the sight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> -of them? Not so. I have seen many thus demeaning -themselves, as if, forsooth, you acquitting them, they would -escape death altogether; but such behavior would ill befit -those who seek to follow after virtue and honor. Nor is -such behavior only unseemly; it is wrong. For we are -bound to convince a judge, not to persuade him, and he is -set in his place not to give justice as a favor, but because it -is justice. Verily, if I should have to persuade you to act -against your oaths I should be condemning myself of the -very charge that Meletus has brought against me, for I -should act as if I did not believe that the gods by whom ye -have sworn to do right are gods at all. Far be it from me -so to act. I believe in the gods more than my accusers believe; -and I leave it to these gods and to you to judge concerning -me as it may be best for you and for me.’”</p> - -<p>“No man,” said Cebes, “could have spoken better; but -it was not the speech that would please or conciliate.”</p> - -<p>“And what was the result?” asked Callias.</p> - -<p>“After all there was only a majority of <i>six</i> against him; -two hundred and eighty-one against two hundred and -seventy-five were the numbers. Then came the question of -the sentence. The prosecutor had demanded the penalty of -death. ‘Socrates,’ said the president of the court, ‘what -penalty do you yourself propose?’<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> ‘You ask me,’ said -Socrates, ‘what penalty I myself propose. What then do I -deserve, I who have not sought to make money, or to hold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> -office in the state, or to command soldiers and ships, who -have not even attended to my own affairs, but have sought -to do to others what I thought to be their highest good? -What should be done to me for being such a man? Surely -something good, something suitable to one who is your -benefactor, and who requires leisure that he may spend it in -giving you good advice. There is nothing, I conceive, more -suitable than that I should be maintained at the public expense -in the Town Hall, with those who have done great -services to the State. Surely I deserve such a reward far -more than he who has won a chariot race at the Olympic -games; for he only makes you think yourselves fortunate, -whereas I teach you to be happy.’</p> - -<p>“Of course there was a loud murmur of disapprobation at -this. Even some of those who had voted for acquittal were -vexed at language so bold.</p> - -<p>“Socrates began again: ‘You think that I show too much -pride when I talk in this fashion. But it is not so. Let me -show you what I mean. As to the penalty which the -accuser demands, I cannot say whether it be good or evil; -but the other things which I might propose in its stead I -know to be evils—imprisonment, or a fine with imprisonment -till it be paid, or exile, which last, indeed, you might -accept. But if you cannot endure my ways, O men of -Athens, think you that others would endure them? And -what a life for a man of my age to lead, this wandering -from city to city! But if anyone should say, Why, O Socrates, -will you not depart to some other city, and there live -quietly, and hold your tongue? I answer, To do this would -be to disobey the god, and I cannot do it. And indeed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> -live without talking and questioning about such matters is -not to live at all. But I have not yet named the penalty. -If I had money I should propose some fine which I could -pay; but I have none, except indeed you are willing to impose -upon me some small fine, for I think that I could -raise a pound of silver.’ At this there was another growl -from the judges; and some of us who were standing by -Socrates caught him by the robe, and whispered to him. -After a pause, he said, ‘Some of my friends, Crito and -Plato and Apollodorus, advise me to propose a fine of thirty -minas<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> and offer to be security. So I propose that sum.’</p> - -<p>“Of course the result was certain. A majority much -larger than before voted for the death penalty. Then the -condemned man spoke for the last time. You will be able -to read for yourself the very words that he said. I can now -give you only an idea of the end of his speech. He had -told the judges, speaking especially to those who had voted -for his acquittal, that the voice that was wont to warn him -had never hindered him in the course of his speech, though -it was not the speech that he should have made if he had -wanted to save his life. From this he argued that he and -they had reason to believe that death was a good thing. -‘Either,’ he said, ‘the dead are nothing and feel nothing, or -they remove hence to some other place. What can be better -than to feel nothing? What days or nights in all our lives -are better than those nights in which we sleep soundly -without even a dream? But if the common belief is true, -and we pass in death to that place wherein are all who have -ever died, what greater good can there be than this? If one -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>passes from those who are called judges here to those who -really judge and administer true justice, to Æacus and -Minos and Rhadamanthus, is this a change to be lamented? -What would not any one of you give to join the company of -Homer and Orpheus and Hesiod? or talk with those who -led that great army of Greeks to Troy, or with any of the many -thousands of good men and women that have lived upon the -earth? Verily, I would die many times if I could only -hope to do this. And now it is time’—for these were his -very last words of all—‘that we should separate. I go to -die, you remain to live; but which of us is going the better -way, only the gods know.’”</p> - -<p>There was a deep silence in the room after Crito had -finished speaking. It was broken at last by Callias, who -asked, “How long since was that?”</p> - -<p>“Nearly two months,” said Simmias, “but by a strange -chance Socrates was not put to death for nearly a month -after his condemnation. It so happened that the Sacred -Ship started for Delos just at the time, and during its voyage—in -fact from the moment that the priest fastens the -chaplet on the stern—no man can be put to death. For -thirty days then he was kept in prison. There we were -permitted to visit him, and there we heard many things -that are well worth being remembered.”</p> - -<p>“I want to hear everything,” cried Callias.</p> - -<p>“You shall in good time,” said Crito. “Come to my -house to-morrow and I will put you in the way of your -getting what you want.”</p> - -<p>“But you ought to hear,” cried Apollodorus, who had -hitherto taken no part in the conversation, “what the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> -teacher said to me, though, indeed, it shows no great wisdom -in me that he had occasion to say it. ‘O Socrates,’ I -said, when I saw him turning away from the place where -he had stood before his judges—and nothing could be more -cheerful than his look—‘O Socrates, this indeed is the hardest -thing to bear that you should have been condemned unjustly.’ -‘Nay, not so, my friend,’ he answered, ‘would the -matter have been more tolerable if I had been condemned -justly?’”</p> - -<p>There was a general laugh. “That is true,” said Crito, -“but certainly as far as Athens is concerned, it was a more -shameful thing.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> - -<small>THE LAST CONVERSATION.</small></h2> - - -<p>Callias, as may be supposed, did not fail to keep his appointment -with the utmost punctuality. He found at -Crito’s house very nearly the same company that had been -assembled the day before at Xenophon’s. After the -usual greetings had been interchanged, the host said, -“I propose, if it is agreeable to you all, to hold the -conversation which we are to have to-day at the house -of our friend Plato. He has written to invite us, not -because he can himself see us, for he is not sufficiently -recovered from his late illness, but because we shall -thus be able to talk with his friend Phaedo; for as all -know there is no more fitting person than Phaedo to tell -our young friend Callias the things that he desires to -hear. For though we were all present, Xenophon only excepted, -on that day when the Master left us, having given -us his last instructions, yet there is no one who so well remembers -and is so well able to describe all that was then -said or done. I propose, therefore, that we transfer ourselves -to his house.”</p> - -<p>The proposition met with general assent and the party -set out.</p> - -<p>Crito naturally took charge of Callias as being his special<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> -guest. As the two were walking, the young man said, -“Tell me, Crito, if it is not unpleasing to you, whether -in the thirty days during which the Master was held in -prison, any efforts were made to save his life?”</p> - -<p>“I am glad,” said Crito, “that you have asked me that -question privately and not before others, for, indeed, this is -a matter which has caused me no little amount of trouble -and shame. Some people blame me because, they say, -though a rich man I did not bribe the jailer of the prison in -which Socrates was confined, and thus enable him to escape. -I am blameable, indeed, but for an exactly opposite reason. -I did bribe the man—this of course is in absolute confidence -between you and me—and in this, as the Master showed me, -I was wrong. Indeed I never received from him so severe -a rebuke as I did concerning this matter. But let me tell -you what happened. I had arranged everything. The -jailer was to let him escape. There were people ready to -carry him out of the country. I went to him early in the -morning of the day when the ship was expected to return. -I told him what I had done. I made light of the money -that the affair was to cost. I could well afford it, I said, -and if I could not there were others ready to contribute. -And then I attacked him, it was an impudent thing to do, -but I felt as if I could do anything that we should not lose -him. I told him that it was wrong of him to do his best to -let his enemies get their way. I said to him, ‘Thus acting -you desert your children, whom you might bring up and -educate. But if you die you will leave them orphans and -friendless. Either you ought not to have children or you -ought to take some trouble about them. Surely this does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> -not become one who has made virtue his study throughout -his life. And remember what a disgrace will fall upon us, -for it will certainly be said that we did not do our best to save -your life.’</p> - -<p>“Well, I cannot tell you now a tenth part of what he said. -I have it all written down at home, but I may say what you -will easily believe that I was as helpless in his hands as the -veriest pretender whom he has ever cross-examined. I -know that he ended by making me thoroughly ashamed of -myself. One of his chief arguments was this:</p> - -<p>“‘Suppose, Crito, that as I was in the act of escaping, the -State itself were to say to me: Are you not seeking to -destroy by so acting the laws of the State itself? Is not -that State already dissolved wherein public sentences are set -aside by private persons? What should I answer to such -questions? And if the laws were to say, What complaint -have you got to make against us that you seek to destroy us? -Do you not owe your being to us, seeing that your father -and mother married according to our ordering? Have we -not given you nurture, education, all the good things that -you possess as being an Athenian? Have you not acknowledged -us by living in the city, by having children in it? -And if they were further to say, Verily, he who acts in this -way in which you are about to act is a corrupter of youth—what -could I answer?</p> - -<p>“‘And tell me, Crito,’ he went on, ‘whither would you -have me betake myself? Not surely to any well-ordered city -seeing that I had shown myself the enemy of such order, -but rather to some abode of riot, which would indeed ill become -one who had professed to be a lover of virtue and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> -righteousness. And as for my children, how shall I benefit -them? By taking them elsewhere and bringing them up -not as citizens of Athens, but as citizens of some other State -which I myself here have judged inferior, seeing that all my -life long I have deliberately preferred Athens to it?’ Verily, -Callias, when he said this, I had no answer. But here we -are at Phaedo’s house.”</p> - -<p>Callias was not a little surprised when he was introduced -to the man whom he had been brought to see. Phaedo was -a man much younger than himself; indeed he had scarcely -completed his eighteenth year. His appearance was singularly -attractive, and his manners had all the grace and ease -of a well-born and well-bred man. That he was not an -Athenian was evident from his speech, which was somewhat -tinged with a Doric accent. Altogether Callias was at -a loss to think who or what he could be, and how he came -to be regarded as the best interpreter of the Master’s last -words. An opportunity, however, arrived for enlightening -him. After a few minutes’ conversation, a slave appeared with -a message for the master of the house. Plato who had been -compelled to absent himself from the last interview with -Socrates, as has been said, was still so unwell that his -physician forbade the excitement of seeing visitors. He -now sent for Phaedo to entrust him with a message of -apology for his fellow disciples whom he was unable to -entertain, and partly to set him free to act the part of host -in his stead.</p> - -<p>Crito seized the opportunity of his temporary absence -from the room to give some particulars about him. “He -comes of a very good family in Elis, and was taken prisoner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> -about this time last year when Athens and Sparta were -allies and acting against that country. He was sold in the -slave market here, and I cannot tell the cruelties that he -endured from the wretch who bought him. Somehow he -heard of Socrates, ran away from his owner and begged for the -Master’s protection. Of course, the only thing was to buy -him, and equally of course, Socrates was wholly unable to -do this. But the Master, if he had no wealth of his own, -happily had wealthy friends. He went to Plato and, by -great good luck, Plato had a very powerful hold over the -poor fellow’s owner; the man owed him a large sum of -money, the interest of which was overdue. He was purchased, -and at once set free. Plato found that he had been -remarkably well educated and that he showed an extraordinary -aptitude for philosophy. The lad’s devotion to -Socrates was unbounded. He never lost a chance of being -near him; he was present of course at the last day, and he -watched and listened with an intense earnestness that -seemed to engrave everything on his mind as one engraves -letters upon marble or bronze. But, see, he is coming back. -Now you will understand why I have brought you to see -him.”</p> - -<p>The young man, at this moment, returned to the room.</p> - -<p>“Tell me, Phaedo,” said Crito, “what you saw and heard -on the last day of the Master’s life. My friend Callias here, -who has just come back from campaigning against the Great -King, desires to hear it from you, and, indeed, though we -all were present on that day, you seem to remember it more -accurately than any.”</p> - -<p>“I will do my best,” said the youth modestly. “I do not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> -know,” he went on, addressing himself especially to Callias, -“whether you will wholly understand me when I say that -I did not feel compassion as one might feel for one who was -dying—he was so calm and so happy. Neither, on the other -hand, did I feel the pleasure that commonly followed from -his discourses, for I knew that he would soon cease to be.”</p> - -<p>“It was just so with all of us,” said Crito, “but go on.”</p> - -<p>“We had been to visit Socrates daily through the time of -his imprisonment, assembling very early in the morning, -and waiting till the doors of the prison were opened, and so -we did on this day, only earlier than usual, because we -knew that the Sacred Ship had arrived the evening before. -The jailer came out. ‘You must wait, gentlemen,’ he said, -‘the Eleven<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> are with him. They are taking off his chains, -and are telling him that he must die to-day.’ After a little -while the man came out again, and said that we might go -in. When we went in, we found Socrates sitting on the -side of his bed, and his wife, Xanthippe, near him, holding -one of his children in her arms. As soon as she saw us, she -began to lament and say, ‘O Socrates, here are your friends -come to see you for the last time.’ Then Socrates, looking -at her, said to Crito, ‘Let some one take her home.’ So one -of Crito’s servants led her away. After a while, for of course -I must leave out many things, the Master said, ‘I have a -message for Evenus, who seeks to know, I am told, why I -have taken to writing verses in prison. Tell him that a god -appeared to me in a dream and told me to cultivate the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> -muses. Tell him also that if he is wise he will follow me as -speedily as possible, for it seems that the Athenians command -that I depart to-day.’</p> - -<p>“‘But, Socrates,’ said Simmias, ‘this is a strange piece of -advice, and one which Evenus is not likely to take.’</p> - -<p>“‘Why so,’ said Socrates, ‘is he not a philosopher? Surely -he should be ready to go the road which I am going. Only -he must not kill himself.’ ‘Why do you say this?’ said -Cebes.</p> - -<p>“You will correct me,” said Phaedo, turning to the company, -“if I misrepresent anything that you said.”</p> - -<p>“Speak on without fear,” said Simmias, “you seem to -have the memory of all the muses.”</p> - -<p>Phaedo resumed, “Socrates said, ‘You ask me why a man -may not kill himself? Well, there is first this reason that -we are as sentinels set at a post, which we must not leave until -we are bidden; then again if men be servants of the gods, as -seems likely, how can they withdraw from this service -without leave? Would you not be angry if one of your -servants were to do it?’</p> - -<p>“‘True,’ said Cebes, “‘but if we are the servants of the -gods, and therefore in the best guardianship, should we not -be sorry to quit it? If so, is it not for the foolish to desire -death and for the wise to regret it?’ ‘You are right,’ replied -the Master, ‘and if I did not expect when I depart -hence to go to the realms of the wise and good gods and to -the company of righteous men, I should indeed grieve at -death. And that I am right in so expecting let me now -seek to prove to you, for what better could I do on this the -last day of my life? But stay; Crito wishes to say some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>thing. -What is it?’ Crito said, ‘He who has to give the -poison says that you must talk as little as possible, for that -if a man so excites himself he has to drink sometimes two -potions or even three.’ ‘Let him take his course,’ said the -master, ‘and prepare what he thinks needful. And now to -the matter in hand. Death, then, is nothing but a separation -of the soul from the body. That you concede. And -you concede further that a philosopher should care little for -the things of the body, and that when he is most free from the -body, then he sees most clearly the highest and best things, -perceiving, for instance, right and justice and honor and -goodness, veritable things all of them, but such as cannot -be discerned with the eyes or handled with the hands. -For the body with its desires and wants hinders us, and -makes us waste our time on the things that it covets, so that -we have neither time nor temper for wisdom. If then we -are ever to reach absolute Truth we must get rid of the -hindrance. While we live we do this to the best of our ability, -and he is the wisest man and best philosopher who does it -most completely; but wholly we cannot do it, till the god -shall liberate us from the control of this companion—And -this is done by Death, which is the complete separation -of soul and body. Shall then the philosopher, who has -all his life been striving for such partial separation as may -be possible, complain when the gods send him this separation -that is complete? And this is my defence, my friends, -for holding it to be a good thing to die.’ ‘Yes,’ replied -Cebes, ‘but many fear that when the soul is thus parted -from the body, it may be nowhere, being dissipated like a -breath or a puff of smoke when the body with which it has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> -been united dies.’ ‘You desire, then,’ said Socrates, ‘that -I should prove to you that the soul does not perish when it -is thus separated from the body?’ ‘Yes,’ we all said, ‘that -is what we all wish.’ ‘First then,’ he went on, ‘is it not -true that every thing implies that which is opposite to it, as -Right implies Wrong, and Fair implies Foul, and <i>to sleep</i> is -the opposite of <i>to wake</i>? If so does not <i>to die</i> imply its opposite -<i>to live again</i>?</p> - -<p>“‘Secondly, is it not true that the highest part of our -knowledge is a remembering again? For there are things -which we know not through our senses. How then do we -know them? Surely because we had this knowledge of -them at some previous time.’</p> - -<p>“‘But,’ said Cebes, ‘may it not be true that the soul has -been made beforehand to enter the body; and having -entered it lives therein, and yet perishes when its dwelling -is dissolved?’</p> - -<p>“‘Being of a frail nature, I suppose,’ said the Master, ‘it’s -all to be blown away by the wind, so that a man should be -especially afraid to die on a stormy day.’</p> - -<p>“At this we all laughed, for we did laugh many times and -heartily that day, though now this may seem to others and -indeed to ourselves almost incredible, seeing what we were -about to lose.</p> - -<p>“‘Well,’ the Master went on, ‘I will seek to relieve you of -this fear. Is it not true that things that are made up of -parts are liable to be separated? And is it not also true that -the soul is not made up of parts, but is simple and not compounded? -Also it is visible things that perish; but the -soul is not visible. Again the soul is the ruler, and the body<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> -the servant. Is it not true that the divine and immortal -rule the human and mortal senses?’</p> - -<p>“To this we all agreed.</p> - -<p>“The Master began again, for he now, as I may say, had to -put before us the conclusion of the whole matter. ‘We -may think thus, then, may we not? If the soul depart -from the body in a state of purity, not taking with it any of -the uncleannesses of the body, from which indeed it has -kept itself free during life as far as was possible—for this is -true philosophy—then it departs into that invisible region -which is of its own nature, and being freed from all fears -and desires and other evils of mortality, spends the rest of -its existence with the gods and the spirits of the good that -are like unto itself. But if it depart, polluted and impure, -having served the body, and suffered itself to be bewitched -by its pleasures and desires, then it cannot attain to this -pure and heavenly region, but must abide in some place that -is more fitted for it.’</p> - -<p>“Much else he said on this point to which we listened as -though it were another Orpheus that was singing to us. -And when he had ended and sat wrapt in thought, we were -silent, fearing to disturb him. And so we remained for no -little space of time in silence, he sitting on the bed, as if he -neither saw nor heeded any of the things that were about -him, and we regarded him most earnestly.</p> - -<p>“After a while he woke up, as it were, from his reverie and -said, ‘You have agreed with me so far; yet it may be that -you have yet fears and doubts in your minds which I have -not yet dispersed. If so let me hear them, that I may, if it -be possible, rid you of them, for indeed I cannot, as I conceive,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> -leave behind me a greater gift for you than such a riddance. -Speak then, if there is anything that you would say.’</p> - -<p>“Simmias said—I put, you will perceive, his argument in a -few words: ‘May it not be that the soul is in the body as a -harmony is in a harp? For the harmony is invisible and -beautiful and divine, and the harp is visible and material -and mortal. Yet when the harp perishes, then the harmony -also, of necessity, ceases to be.’</p> - -<p>“When Simmias had ended, Cebes began: ‘I do indeed -believe that the soul is more durable than the body. Just -so; the wearer is more durable than the thing which he -wears. Yet at the last, one thing that he weaves proves to -be more durable than he. So may the soul outlast many -bodies, and yet perish finally, worn out, so to speak, by -having gone through so many births.’</p> - -<p>“Have I put these things rightly, O Simmias and Cebes?” -said the young philosopher, addressing them, “though indeed -I have made them very brief.”</p> - -<p>“You have put them rightly,” the two agreed.</p> - -<p>“When we heard these things,” Phaedo went on, “we -were also greatly disturbed; for we desired to believe that -which the Master was seeking to prove, and seemed to have -attained certainly, and now we were thrown back again -into confusion and doubt.”</p> - -<p>“And how did the Master take it, O Phaedo?” said Callias; -“for indeed I feel much as you describe yourselves as having -felt. Having reached a certain hope, not to say conviction, -I am now disturbed by fears.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing could be more admirable than his behavior. -That he should be able to answer, was to be expected; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> -that he should receive these objections so sweetly, so gently, -and perceiving our dismay, quickly encourage us, and, so to -speak, reform our broken ranks—this indeed was beyond all -praise.</p> - -<p>“I myself was sitting on a low seat by the side of his -bed. He dropped his hand, and stroked my head and -the hair which lay upon my neck, I wore it long in those -days,<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> for he was often wont to play with my hair. Then -he said, ‘I suppose, Phaedo, that you intend to cut off these -beautiful locks to-morrow, as mourners are wont to do.’</p> - -<p>“‘I suppose so,’ I said.</p> - -<p>“‘But you must cut them off to-day and not to-morrow if -our doctrine be stricken to death, and we cannot bring it to -life again.’ Then he turned to Simmias and Cebes, and -said, ‘Hear now what I have to say, but while you hear, -think much of the truth but little of Socrates; and be on -your guard lest in my eagerness I deceive not myself only -but you also, and leave my sting behind me when I die -even as does a bee. You, Simmias, think that the soul may -be but as a harmony in the body. But do you not remember -what we said about all knowledge being a remembering, and -that what the soul knows it has before learnt? It existed -then before the body; but a harmony cannot exist before -the things are put together of which it proceeds. Then -again harmony may be more or less; but one soul cannot be -more a soul than another. And if, as the wise men say, -virtue is harmony and vice discord, we have a harmony of -a discord, which cannot be; finally one part of the soul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> -often opposes another, as reason opposes appetite; how then -is the soul a harmony? You, Cebes, hold, indeed, that the -soul is durable, but may not be immortal. Hear then my -answer. You believe that there are ideas or principles of -things, and that these ideas, being invisible, are the real -causes of things that are visible.’ Cebes acknowledged that -he did so believe. ‘Is not now the soul the principle of life, -and is not this principle the opposite of death? In its -essence, therefore, it is immortal; but that which is immortal -cannot be destroyed, no, even though there are things -which seem to threaten its existence.’</p> - -<p>“In this we all agreed. After this Socrates discoursed in -many words about the abodes and dwelling-places of the -dead both good and bad, and of the manner in which they -are dealt with by the powers thereunto appointed. But of -this I will speak on some other occasion, if you will. At -present time is short, for I must not leave the sick man any -longer, only I will relate the very end of the Master’s discourse -and the things that happened after.</p> - -<p>“‘To affirm positively about such matters,’ he said, ‘is not -the part of a wise man. Yet what I have said seems reasonable. -And anyhow he who has scorned the body and its -pleasures during life, and has adorned the soul with her -proper virtues, justice and courage and truth, may surely -await his passage to the other world with a good hope. But -now destiny calls me, and I must obey. But I will bathe before -I take the poison, that the women may not have the -trouble of washing my body.’</p> - -<p>“Then Crito asked: ‘Have you any directions to give us?’</p> - -<p>“‘Nothing now; if you rightly order your own lives, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> -will do the best for me and my children; but if you do not, -then whatever you may promise, you will fail.’</p> - -<p>“‘But,’ Crito asked, ‘how shall we bury you?’</p> - -<p>“‘As you will,’ said he, ‘provided only you can catch me -and that I do not slip out of your hands.’ Then he smiled, -and said, ‘Crito here will not be persuaded that I am saying -the truth. He thinks that <i>I</i> am the dead body that he will -soon see here, and asks how he shall bury me. Assure him -then that when this dead body is laid in the grave or put -upon the pyre to be burnt it is not Socrates that he sees. For -to speak in this way, O Crito, is not only absurd but -harmful.’</p> - -<p>“After this he bathed, remaining in the bath-chamber -for some time. This being ended, his children were brought -to him, and the women of his family also. With these he -talked awhile in the presence of Crito, and afterward commanded -that some one should take the women and children -away. And it was now near sunset. Hereupon the servant of -the Eleven came in, and said, ‘O Socrates, you will not be -angry with me and curse me when I tell you, as the -magistrates constrained me to do, that you must drink the -poison. I have always found you most gentle and generous, -the best by far of all that have come into this place. You -will be angry, not with me, for you know that I am blameless, -but with those whom you know to be in fault. And -now, for you know what I am come to tell you, bear what -must be borne as cheerfully as may be.’ And saying this -the man turned away his face and wept.</p> - -<p>“‘Farewell!’ said Socrates, ‘I will do as you bid,’ and -looking to us he said, ‘How courteous he is! All the time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> -he has been so, sometimes talking to me, and showing himself -the best of fellows. And now see how generously he -weeps for me! But we must do what he says. Let some -one bring the poison, if it has been pounded; if not, let the -man pound it.’</p> - -<p>“‘But,’ said Crito, ‘the sun is still upon the mountains. -I have known some who would prolong the day -eating and drinking till it was quite late before they drank. -Anyhow do not be in a hurry. There is still plenty of -time.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ah!’ said Socrates, ‘these men were quite consistent. -They thought that they were gaining so much time. But I -too must be consistent. I believe that I shall gain nothing -by dying an hour or two later, except indeed the making of -myself a laughing stock by clinging to life when there is -really nothing left of it to cling to.’</p> - -<p>“Then Crito made a sign to the slave that was standing -by; he went out, and after some time had passed brought -in the man whose duty it was to give the poison, and who -brought it in ready mixed in a cup. When Socrates caught -sight of him, he said:</p> - -<p>“‘Well, my friend, you know all about these matters. -What must I do?’</p> - -<p>“‘You will only have to walkabout after you have drunk -the poison, till you feel a sort of weight in your legs. Then -you should lie down, and the poison will do the rest.’</p> - -<p>“So saying, he reached the cup to the Master, who took -it. His hand did not shake; there was not the least change -in his color or his look. Only he put his head forward in -the way he had, and said to the man:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘How about making a libation from the cup? May we -do it?’</p> - -<p>“‘Socrates,’ said the man, ‘we pound just so much as we -think sufficient.’</p> - -<p>“‘I understand,’ said the Master. ‘Still we may, nay we -must, pray to the gods that my removal hence to that place -may be fortunate. The gods grant this! Amen!’ And as -he said this he put the cup to his lips and drank it off in the -easiest, quietest way possible.</p> - -<p>“Up to that time we had all been fairly well able to keep -from tears. But when we saw him drinking the poison, -when we knew that he had finished it, we could restrain -them no longer. As for myself I covered my face with my -mantle, and wept to myself. Not for him did I weep, but -for myself, thinking what a friend I had lost. And others -were still more overcome than I was. Only Socrates was -quite unmoved.</p> - -<p>“‘Why all this,’ he said, ‘my dear friends? I sent the -women away for this very reason, that they might not vex -us in this fashion. I have heard it said that a man ought -to die with good words in his ears. Be quiet, I beseech, and -bear yourselves like men.’</p> - -<p>“When we heard this we were not a little ashamed of -ourselves, and kept back our tears. He walked about till he -felt the weight in his legs, and then lay down on his back—this -was what the man bade him do. Then the man who -administered the poison squeezed his foot pretty strongly, -and asked him whether he felt anything. He said no. -Then the man showed us how the numbness was going -higher and higher.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span></p> - -<p>“‘When it reaches his heart,’ he said, ‘he will die.’</p> - -<p>“When the groin was cold the Master uncovered his face—for -he had covered it before—and said, ‘Crito, we owe a -cock to Æsculapius; pay it, do not forget.’</p> - -<p>“These were the last words he said.</p> - -<p>“‘I will,’ said Crito, ‘is there anything more?’</p> - -<p>“But he made no answer. A little time after, we saw -him move. Then the man uncovered the face, and we saw -that his eyes were set. Then Crito closed his mouth and -his eyes.”</p> - -<p>Phaedo left the room hastily when he had finished his -narrative. For some time there was silence. Then Apollodorus -spoke.</p> - -<p>“You know, my friends,” he said, “that I am not very -wise nor at all learned; but he bore with me and my foolishness, -and you will also because you know I loved him. Let me -say then one thing. Much that Socrates said that day I did -not understand, nor do I understand it now when I hear it -again. Yet no one could be more fully persuaded than I -was that he spoke the truth. And what persuaded me was -the sight of the man. So brave was he, so cheerful, so -wholly convinced in his own mind, that no one could doubt -that he was indeed about to depart to a better place.”</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> - -<small>THE CONDITION OF EXILE.</small></h2> - - -<p>The story that Callias had heard of the last days of his -Master, and heard, of course, with many details which it is -now impossible to reproduce, made, it need hardly be said, -a profound impression on him. First and foremost—and -this was what the dead man himself would have been most -rejoiced to see—was the profound conviction that this -teaching, inspired, as it was, with a faith which the immediate -prospect of death had not been able to shake, was absolutely -true. The young man can hardly be said to have -had any feeling of religion in the sense in which we understand -that word. To believe in the fables, grotesque or even -immoral, which made up the popular theology, in gods who -were only exaggerated men, stronger, indeed, but more -cruel, treacherous, and lustful, was an impossibility. The -poets’ tales of the Elysian plain and of the abyss of Tartarus -had in no wise helped towards producing any emotions of -the spiritual kind, any wish to dwell in an invisible world. -The most sacred of these poets in his description of that -world as another earth in which everything was feebler, paler, -less satisfying than it is here, had certainly repelled rather -than attracted him. Now this want had been supplied; the -lofty teaching of duty, duty owed to country, kinsfolk,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> -friends, fellow-citizens, fellow-men, that he had heard from -the Master was now supplemented and sanctioned by this -clear enunciation of a doctrine of immortality. The young -man felt that he could face the world, whether it brought -him prosperity or adversity, joy or sorrow, life or death, -with a more equable soul or more assured spirit than he had -ever dreamed could be possible.</p> - -<p>His immediate duty, however, was less clear. When his -country lay under the heel of the Spartan conqueror, Hermione -had pointed out to him—not without sacrifice of herself, -as he sometimes could not help feeling, what he owed -to the city that had given him birth. But now, how did -the case stand? Athens had suffered a second, a more fatal -fall. She might repair her losses; she might retrieve defeat. -But when she had definitely broken with right and -truth, had deliberately chosen the worse rather than the -better, what hope, what remedy was there? And what -was the obligation on himself? Could he aspire to a career -in a State which was so false to all the principles of life and -government?</p> - -<p>The two or three days that followed the conversation related -in my last chapter were spent by the young Athenian -in debating with himself the question: What am I to do? -But the more he thought over the problem, the more complex -and intricate did it seem to become. Just when he -was beginning to despair, a solution, rude and peremptory, -but satisfactory in so far as it admitted of no questioning, -was forced upon him.</p> - -<p>He had just risen on the morning of the fourth -day, when a visitor was announced. It was Xenophon,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> -looking, as Callias thought, serious, but not depressed.</p> - -<p>“And what have you been doing these three days?” -cried the newcomer.</p> - -<p>“Thinking,” replied Callias.</p> - -<p>“That is exactly what I have been doing myself, and I -would wager my chance of being Archon next year, a very -serious stake indeed, that we have had the same subject for -our thoughts. You have been debating with yourself what -you are to do?”</p> - -<p>“Exactly so; and I am no nearer a conclusion than I was -when I began.”</p> - -<p>“Well, some one else has been good enough to save us the -trouble of deciding. Listen to this. I have a friend in office, -I should tell you, and he has given me an early copy of -what will be soon known all over Athens. ‘It is proposed -by Erasinides, son of Lysias, of the township of Colonus, -that Xenophon, son of Grythus, of the township of Orchia, -and Callias, son of Hipponicus, of the township of Eleusis,’ -and some twenty others, whose names I need not trouble -you with, ‘be banished from Athens for unpatriotic conduct, -especially in aiding and abetting the designs of Cyrus, -who was a notorious enemy of the Athenian people.’ -Well; that is going to be proposed to the Senate to-day. -My friend, who knows all about the strings, and how they -are pulled, tells me that it is certain to be carried. In the -course of a few days it will be brought before the Assembly, -and I have no doubt whatever that it will be accepted.”</p> - -<p>“But what have the Athenian people got to do with Cyrus, -who is dead and gone, and can neither help nor hurt?”</p> - -<p>“Ah! you don’t understand. The Lacedaemonians, you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> -know, have declared war against the Persian King. Of -course that gives the Athenians a chance of becoming his -friends. It is true that things are not ripe just yet for anything -decisive or public. We are allies with the Lacedaemonians, -and can’t venture to quarrel with them. But -this is a matter at which they cannot take offence, but -which will most certainly please the Great King. He has -not forgotten the Cyrus business, you may depend upon it, -and it will delight him to hear of any, who had a part in it -suffering for their act. That is why we are to be -banished. It is disgraceful, I allow, to find a great -city banishing its citizens in order to curry favor with the -barbarians; but it is a fact, and we must take it into -account.”</p> - -<p>“And what shall you do?”</p> - -<p>“I shall go to Asia. I had intended to go in any case, -for I have private affairs there, nothing less important, I -may tell you in confidence, than marrying a wife. Then I -shall find something to do with the Spartans, among whom -I have some very good friends. Come with me. You too, -might find a wife; that will be as you please; but anyhow -I can guarantee you employment.”</p> - -<p>“I confess,” said Callias, after meditating awhile, “that -I do not feel greatly drawn by what you suggest. As for -the wife, that prospect does not please me at all; and, as -you know, I am not so much of a Spartan-lover<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> as you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> -You must let me think about it; you shall have a final -answer to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>When Xenophon had taken leave, Callias went straight -to Hippocles, and happened to arrive just as a messenger -was leaving the house with a note addressed to himself, and -asking for an early visit. Callias related what he had just -heard from Xenophon.</p> - -<p>“You do not surprise me. In fact I also have had a -private intimation from a member of the Senate that this is -going to be done, and it is exactly the matter about which I -wished to see you. But tell me, what does Xenophon -advise?”</p> - -<p>Callias told him.</p> - -<p>“And you hesitate about accepting his offer?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; I do more than hesitate; I feel more and more -averse to it the more I think of it.”</p> - -<p>“You are right; to take service with the Spartans must, -almost of necessity, mean, sooner or later, some collision -with your own country. It was this that ruined Alcibiades. -If he could only have had patience, he could have saved -himself and the Athenians too, but that visit to Sparta -ruined both. No; I should advise you against Xenophon’s -suggestion.”</p> - -<p>“But where am I to go? I have thought of Syracuse. -But I do not care to go back to Dionysius. He was all -courtesy and kindness; but I felt suffocated in the air of his -court. And we never feel quite safe with a tyrant.”</p> - -<p>“I have thought of something else that might suit you. -I am going to start in a few days’ time on a visit to my own -native country, not to Poseidonia—I could not bear to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> -the barbarians masters there—but to Italy. There are other -Greek cities which still hold their own, and they are well -worth seeing. You might, too, if you choose, pay another -visit to Rome. You will at least have the advantage of -being out of this dismal round of strife to which Greece -itself seems doomed. Our countrymen there have, I know, -faults of their own; but they do contrive to live on tolerably -good terms with each other.”</p> - -<p>The plan proposed seemed to Callias to promise better -than any that he could think of and he accepted the offer -with thankfulness. A few days afterwards he was gazing -for what he felt might well be the last time at the city of -his birth. Bathed in the sunshine of a summer morning -stood the Acropolis, crowned with its marble temples, and, -towering above all, the gigantic statue of Athene the Champion, -her outstretched spear-point flashing in the light. -What glories he was leaving behind him! What lost hopes, -what unfulfilled aspirations of his own! The tears of no -unmanly emotion were in his eyes as he turned away, but -not before he had caught sight of a well-known house by -the harbor of Piraeus. This seemed to be the last drop of -bitterness in his cup. She had lost him for his country’s -sake, and now he had lost her, too. He turned and found -himself face to face with Hermione! There was something -in her look which made his heart thrill; but she did not -give him time to speak.</p> - -<p>“Callias,” she said, “you gave up what you said was -dear to me,” and her blush deepened as she spoke, “for -Athens’ sake. But now—if you have not forgotten—”</p> - -<p>He needed to hear no more. The next moment, careless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> -of the eyes of the old helmsman, he had clasped her in his -arms.</p> - -<p>“I can allow myself to love the exile,” she whispered in -his ear.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p> -<h2>Author’s Postscript.</h2> - - -<p>It is impossible for the writer of historical fiction, especially -if he wishes to suggest to his readers as many subjects -of interest as possible, to adapt the literary necessities of his -work to fit in with the actual course of events. But he is -bound to point out such departures from historical accuracy -as he feels constrained to make. It is quite possible that -a correction may serve to impress the real facts upon his -readers more deeply than an originally accurate statement -would have done. I therefore append to my tale a list of</p> - - -<h4><i>CORRIGENDA.</i></h4> - -<p>1. I was anxious to include the Battle of Arginusæ in -my story. It was the first scene in the last act of the great -drama of the Peloponnesian war. At the same time I felt -bound, having made up my mind to give a description of a -Greek comedy, to choose the <i>Frogs</i>. It has a literary interest -such as no other Aristophanic play possesses, and it is at -once more important and more intelligible to a modern -reader. But to bring the two things together it was necessary -to ante-date the representation of the play. I have put -it in the year 406 B. C. It really took place in 405. I have -also made the battle happen somewhat earlier than in all -probability, it really did. The festival of the Great Dionysia, -at which new plays were produced, was celebrated in March. -We do not know precisely the date of Arginusæ, but it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> -likely that it was later in the year. A similar correction -must be made about the embassy of Dionysius. It may -have taken place when the play was really produced, but in -406 Dionysius was too busy with his war with Carthage to -think of such things.</p> - -<p>2. I have ante-dated, this time by several years, the capture -of Poseidonia by the native Italians. Here again we -have no record of the precise time; but it probably happened -somewhat later in the century.</p> - -<p>3. I do not know whether I am wrong in making Alcibiades -escape from his castle in Thrace immediately after the -battle Ægos Potami. Plutarch would give one rather to -understand that he fled after the capture of Athens. It is -quite possible, however, that he recognized the defeat as -fatal to Athenian influence of the Thracian coast, and that -feeling his own position to be no longer tenable, he retired -from it at once.</p> - -<p>4. I have taken some liberties with the text of Xenophon’s -narrative. The trial of the generals by their own soldiers, -the athletic sports, and the entertainment described in my -story are all taken from the <i>Anabasis</i>, but they do not come -so close together as I have found it convenient to put them.</p> - -<p>5. It is a moot point among historians whether Xenophon -returned to Athens after he had quitted the Ten -Thousand. Mr. Grote thinks that he did; and his authority -is perhaps sufficient to shelter such a humble person as myself. -It has also been debated whether he was banished in -399 or some years later. I am inclined to think that here I -am accurate.</p> - -<p>6. I need hardly say that the Thracian national song is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> -of my own invention. Xenophon simply says that the -Thracian performers went off the stage singing the “Sitalces.” -That this was a song celebrating the achievement of the -king of that name (for which see a classical dictionary) cannot -be doubted. But we know nothing more about it, and I -have supplied the words.</p> - -<p>7. It is not necessary to say that the “diary” of Callias -is an invention. To be quite candid I do not think it was -at all likely that a young soldier would have kept one, or -even been able to write it up daily. But I wanted to give -some prominent incidents from Xenophon’s story, and had -not space for the whole, while a mere epitome would have -been tedious.</p> - -<p>8. I must caution my readers against supposing my hero -to be historical. There was a Callias, son of Hipponicus, at -this time, a very different man.</p> - -<p>9. I have taken the defence of Socrates from Plato’s -<i>Apology</i>, not from Xenophon. The former is immeasurably -superior.</p> - - - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX.</h2> - - -<p class="blockquot"> -ÆGOS POTAMI, BATTLE OF, <a href="#Page_148">148-150</a>.<br /> -<br /> -AGIS, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.<br /> -<br /> -ALCIBIADES.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Home, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Appearance, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Career in Thrace, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Defense, <a href="#Page_137">137-140</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Farewell to his men, <a href="#Page_151">151-154</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Assassination, <a href="#Page_190">190-194</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -ALIEN, <a href="#Page_21">21-22</a>.<br /> -<br /> -ANABASIS, THE, <a href="#Page_209">209-211</a>.<br /> -<br /> -APATURIA, THE, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>.<br /> -<br /> -APOLLODORUS, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.<br /> -<br /> -ARGOS, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.<br /> -<br /> -ARGINUSÆ, BATTLE OF, <a href="#Page_51">51-57</a>.<br /> -<br /> -ARIÆUS, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.<br /> -<br /> -ARISTIDES, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -BISANTHE, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -CALENDAR, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CALLICRATIDAS, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44-50</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CALLIXENUS, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CHERSONESUS, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CHIOS, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CHIRISOPHUS, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CIMON, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CLEARCHUS, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CLEON, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CONON, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.<br /> -<br /> -COS, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CRITIAS, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CRITO, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304-320</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CUNAXA, BATTLE OF, <a href="#Page_209">209-211</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CYBELE, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CYRUS, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.<br /> -<br /> -CYRUS, THE YOUNGER, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -DELIUM, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.<br /> -<br /> -DIOMEDON, <a href="#Page_54">54-57</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>.<br /> -<br /> -DIONYSIUS, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199-206</a>.<br /> -<br /> -DRESS, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -EPHORS, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>.<br /> -<br /> -EUPATRID, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.<br /> -<br /> -EURYPTOLEMUS, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99-101</a>.<br /> -<br /> -EXILE, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -GAMES.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">President, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Foot-races, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Pentathlon, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Leaping the Bar, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Running, <a href="#Page_246">246</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Quoit Throwing, <a href="#Page_246">246-247</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hurling the Javelin, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wrestling, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Horse-race, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -GORDIUM, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.<br /> -<br /> -GOVERNMENT.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Public Guests, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Popular Trials, <a href="#Page_90">90-102</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287-302</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Bema, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Balloting, <a href="#Page_101">101-102</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Eleven, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Capital Punishment, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -HELLESPONT, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>.<br /> -<br /> -HERMÆ, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.<br /> -<br /> -HIPPOCRATES, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>.<br /> -<br /> -HOUSES.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arrangement, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Servants, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Clocks, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -HUNTING, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -LYSANDER, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -MARATHON, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>.<br /> -<br /> -MEDICAL SCIENCE, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>.<br /> -<br /> -MONEY, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.<br /> -<br /> -MYRONIDES, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>.<br /> -<br /> -MITYLENE, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -NAVY, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.<br /> -<br /> -NICIAS, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.<br /> -<br /> -NOTIUM, BATTLE OF, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -ŒNOPHYTA, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.<br /> -<br /> -OLIGARCHY, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.<br /> -<br /> -OMENS, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -PAINTING, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PARATHERÆA, THE, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PAUSANIAS, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PERSIANS, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PHARNABAZUS, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PHASIS, RIVER, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PHAEDO, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PHORMION, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PLATO, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.<br /> -<br /> -POSEIDONIA, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>.<br /> -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span><br /> -POTIDÆA, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PROPONTIS, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>.<br /> -<br /> -PROXENUS, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -RHODES, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>.<br /> -<br /> -RETREAT OF TEN THOUSAND, <a href="#Page_212">212-237</a><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Murder of the Generals, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Xenophon in Command, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Plan of March, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">First Skirmish, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cavalry Organized, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Armenia, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Snowfall, <a href="#Page_229">229</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Banqueting In Villages, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Taking a Pass, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Sea Reached, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Trapezus, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Return to Greece, <a href="#Page_280">280-285</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -SACRIFICES, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SAILING SEASON, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SAMOS, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SAMOTHRACE, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SEUTHES, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282-284</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SIEGE OF ATHENS, <a href="#Page_162">162-171</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SMYRNA, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SOCIAL LIFE.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Calls, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Knocking, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Table, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Food, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Libations, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Banquets, <a href="#Page_70">70-78</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258-262</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rhapsodist, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dancers, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Colonial Society, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hospitality, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -SOCRATES.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Conversations, <a href="#Page_82">82-86</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Refusal to Sanction Illegal Motion, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alcibiades’ Tribute, <a href="#Page_129">129-131</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Conduct during the Siege, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dionysius Inquires About Him, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His Trial, <a href="#Page_287">287-302</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">His Defense, <a href="#Page_294">294-302</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Conversation in Prison, <a href="#Page_308">308-309</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Last Day of Life, <a href="#Page_310">310-318</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Argument for Immortality, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Death, <a href="#Page_318">318-320</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -SPARTANS, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SYBARIS, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>.<br /> -<br /> -SYRACUSE, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -TARSUS, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.<br /> -<br /> -TEN GENERALS, THE<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The System, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Report of Victory, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Trial Commenced, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Plots, <a href="#Page_92">92-94</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trial Continued, <a href="#Page_95">95-101</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Verdict, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Punishment, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -THASUS, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>.<br /> -<br /> -THEATER, THE<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Curtain, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“The Frogs,” 3-11</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Aristophanes, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Old Comedy and New, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Audience, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Arrangement, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Author as Prompter, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -THEMISTOCLES, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>.<br /> -<br /> -THERAMENES, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.<br /> -<br /> -THIRTY TYRANTS, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.<br /> -<br /> -THRACIANS.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Intemperance, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Extravagance, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -THRASYBULUS, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>.<br /> -<br /> -TIGRIS, RIVER, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>.<br /> -<br /> -TISSAPHERNES, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>.<br /> -<br /> -TOWN HALL, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>.<br /> -<br /> -TRAPEZUS, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>.<br /> -<br /> -<br /> -WALLS, THE LONG, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.<br /> -<br /> -WARFARE.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Armor, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Archers, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Cavalry, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Character of Mercenaries, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -WOMEN.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In Lucania, <a href="#Page_23">23-25</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At Table, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Wine Drinking, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Marriage, <a href="#Page_180">180-183</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Dependence, <a href="#Page_82">82-85</a>.</span><br /> -<br /> -<br /> -XENOPHON.<br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At the Banquet, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Describes Socrates, <a href="#Page_79">79-81</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Explains the Expedition against the Great King, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Elected a General, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Reproof of a Soldier, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Energy in the Cold Weather, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Repartee with Chirisophus, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></span><br /> -<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Answers Charges, <a href="#Page_254">254-258</a>.</span><br /> -</p> - -<hr style="width: 65%;" /> -<h3>FOOTNOTES</h3> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> According to our reckoning B. C. 406.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> It was not actually finished till twenty-three years later.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Euripides had died a few months before.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> The Athenians used to inflict the penalty of death by a draught of -hemlock.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> For the “Crows” in the original. “Going to the crows” was the -first equivalent for our “Going to the dogs.” The “Isle of Dogs” is a -wellknown spot near London.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> When he captured the Spartan garrison of the Island of Sphacteria, -B. C. 425.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> This would amount to about $2.25—a drachma being equal to -about 20c or 9½d. in English money.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> These “liturgies,” as they were called, were charges imposed upon -all residents in Athens whose property was assessed at more than a -certain amount (three talents, which, as a talent contained 6,000 -drachmæ, may be roughly estimated at $3,500, equivalent, it is probable, -to much more in actual value). These were originally equivalents -for special privileges and powers which the wealthy enjoyed under the -earlier constitution, but they were continued in force after the democratic -changes which put all citizens on an equality. The Aliens were -not liable to all.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Better known by its Latin name of Paestum.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Fought in 407. Notium was the harbor of Colophon a city of -Asia Minor, about nine miles north of Ephesus, and about fifteen miles -from the sea.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Noble Athenian damsels were the “basket-bearers” (<i>Canephoroi</i>), -daughters of aliens “Sunshade-bearers” (<i>Skiaphoroi</i>) in the Paratheraea, -or Great Procession of Athens.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> The Andronitis and Gynaekonitis, as they were called.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> A Greek at table, after it became the fashion to recline instead of -sit (as had been the practice in the heroic ages) lay on his left side, supporting -his head by his left arm, the other arm being left free to help -himself from the dishes when they were placed before him. Women -and children always sat at table.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Cos was one of the cities belonging to the Dorian Pentapolis.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Callicratidas was the admiral In command of the Spartan fleet.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Hippocles is alluding to a well known story. Midas deciding in -favor of Pan as a better musician than Apollo was punished by being -given the long ears of an ass. He hid them under his Thurgian cap -from all men except the barber who cut his hair. This man, oppressed -with the secret, dug a hole in the earth, whispered into it, “King Midas -has asses’ ears,” and filling it up again, so found relief from his burden. -But a reed grew from the spot, and as it was moved by the wind whispered -the secret to the world.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> The instances in which a Spartan general sent to fill some office -abroad seemed to lose all self-restraint and all sense of shame are deplorably -numerous. Pausanias, the Spartan who commanded at Platæa, -and was afterwards banished for treacherous dealings with the Persians, -was the first conspicuous example of this national failing, as it may be -called; but it was an example often followed. The Spartan governors -in allied or conquered cities were almost proverbial for profligacy, -tyranny and corruption.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> A seaman was paid four obols a day, the rate having been increased -by the liberality of Cyrus from three to four. Five obols went to the -drachma, and a hundred drachmas to the mina.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> This was the prince commonly called the younger Cyrus, the second -of the two sons of Darius Nothus, King of Persia, by his Queen -Parysatis. He had come down about a year and a half before the time -of which I am writing to take the government of a large portion of Asia -Minor, viz: Lydia, Phrygia, and Cappadocia. He was strongly pro-Spartan -in his views, and as has been explained in a previous note, had -increased the rate furnished by the Persian treasury to the Spartan -fleet. But Lysander, in his anger at being suspended in the command, -had, with the selfishness, characteristic of Spartan officers, paid back -to Cyrus all the money that had been furnished for the pay of the -sailors.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Phormion won some brilliant victories in the Corinthian gulf in the -early years of the war. He died prematurely, it would seem about -429 B. C.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> The number of triremes contributed by Athens to the Greek fleet of -Salamis was one hundred and eighty, but this comprised, of course, -literally every ship that they possessed. In the expedition against -Syracuse, the triremes numbered one hundred and thirty-four.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Diomedon was the officer in command of Samos, and had already -attempted with the twelve ships that composed his squadron, to relieve -Conon. His force was so inferior to that of the Spartans that he could -only have hoped to succeed by eluding their observations. Accordingly -he had avoided the harbors and endeavored to make his way up a narrow -channel, known by the common name of “Euripus” (a channel -with a swift current) by which Mitylene could be approached. Callicratidas, -however, had discovered the maneuver and captured ten out -of the twelve ships.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> I may refer my readers to a signal instance in earlier Greek history -where the same system almost led to disaster. It was only by the unusual -personal influence of Miltiades, a personal influence almost unparalleled -in Athenian history, that thus the ten generals were induced -to fight at Marathon. There can be little doubt that, if the conflict -had been delayed the pro-Persian party might have seriously hampered, -if it did not altogether defeat, the efforts of the patriots.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Theramenes had taken a prominent part four years before this date -in the establishment of the oligarchy of the Four Hundred; finding that -his own position was not such as he conceived to be suited to his merits, -and having reason also to believe that the oligarchy would soon be -overthrown—the fleet had declared against them—he changed sides -and was the means of bringing up the condemnation of two of his own -intimate friends, Antiphon and Archeptolemus.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Catullus mentions it as a special excellence of his yacht that it -could</p><p class="poem"> -“Carry its load o’er stormy seas<br /> -Whether from right or left the breeze<br /> -Call o’er the main, as safe and fleet<br /> -Over course, as when, on either sheet<br /> -With equal strength blew fair behind,<br /> -With level keel the following wind.”<br /> -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Persons who had rendered distinguished services to their country -in peace or war received, among other rewards, the privilege, lasting -for life, of dining in the Town hall. The city had no greater honor to -bestow.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> It had brought about for a time the subjection of all the Bœotian -towns (Thebes only excepted) and of Phocis to Athens.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Myronides marched out with the citizens above and under the military -age—all the available force that was left at Athens at the time—and -won two victories, the first at Megara, the second and most famous -of the two at Œnophyta in Bœotia.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> The old man was thinking of the Spartan offer to make peace after -the capture of the five hundred and ninety-two prisoners at Pylos (B. C. -425). Terms much more favorable might have been secured than were -obtained four years afterwards by the Peace of Nicias. Again, after the -defeat and death of the Spartan admiral Mindarus in B. C. 410 peace -might have been made, and the ruin of Athens probably postponed for -many years; but the people refused to enter into negotiations.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> When the meal was ended the tables were not cleared, but removed.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> There were three original moods in Greek music, the Dorian, -Phrygian, and Lydian. The last of these was in a major scale, and was -reckoned to be plaintive and effeminate. So Milton writes in <i>L’Allegro</i>. -</p><p class="poem"> -“And ever against eating cares<br /> -Lap one in soft Lydian airs<br /> -Married to immortal verse;<br /> -Such as the melting soul may pierce<br /> -In notes with many a winding bout<br /> -Of linked sweetness long drawn out.”<br /> -</p> -<p> -The Dorian was in a minor scale, and was considered to be manly -and vigorous. Martial music was of this kind. So, to quote Milton -again, we have: -</p><p class="poem"> -<span style="margin-left: 9em;">“Anon they move</span><br /> -In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood<br /> -Of flutes and soft melodies; such as raised<br /> -To heights of noblest temper heroes old<br /> -Coming to battle.”<br /> -</p> -<p> -The third, or Phrygian, was also minor, and was considered to be -suitable for sacrifices and other religious functions as being of an ecstatic -kind. There were combinations and modifications of these moods. -Readers who may desire to know more of the subject, should consult -Professor Mahaffy’s <i>Rambles and Studies in Greece</i>, pp. 424-444 (3rd edition). -A more elaborate account may be found in Mr. Chappell’s History -of Music.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> So Hector in the single combat with Ajax.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> A quarter of Athens south of the city on the Ilissus.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> The “Kalokagathos” (literally handsome and good), combining the -two Greek ideals, beauty of mind and beauty of body.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> See note page 22.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Xenophon, who was probably in Athens at the time, positively asserts -that this was done, and I cannot think that the arguments of Mr. -Grote countervail his authority.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> The “Eleven” were commissioners of police who had, besides the -charge of the guardians of public order, the care of the prisoners, and -the custody of criminals.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> One of the most notorious instances in modern times was that of the -Tartar who after the battle of the Alma invented the news that Sebastopol -was taken. The report was almost universally believed in -England for some days, and the contradiction of it caused the bitterest -disappointment.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Paper made from the rind of the <i>papyrus</i>, a reed which grew in the -Nile and which the Egyptians knew by the name of <i>Byblos</i> (hence our -‘bible’). Parchment in its present form did not become common till -much later than this time (even B. C. 150), though skin seems to have -been used for writing. For ordinary purposes paper was used.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Mr. Grote says that the condemned generals drank hemlock -but it is evident from the report of Euryptolemus which is substantially -taken from Xenophon’s report that the mode of execution for persons -condemned under such charges as that brought against the generals -was by being thrown into the Pit. This place was called the <i>Barathron</i> -and was within the city walls and was a deep pit with hooks fastened -into the walls. The officer in charge of it was called “The Man of the -Pit.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> The “Long Walls” ran from Athens down to its chief harbor the -Piraeus.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> The Eupatridae were the old aristocracy of Athens. Under the -early constitution they were the ruling castæ, and they always retained -the monopoly of certain religious offices.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> “The seas are closed,” says Vegetius in his treatise <i>De Re Militari</i>, -“from the ninth of November to the tenth of March.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> It is convenient in a narrative to speak of “hours,” and the Greeks -had a division of time that was so named. But it must not be supposed -that these hours were exact periods of time such as we mean by the -word. The day between sunrise and sunset was divided into twelve -equal parts, which varied in length according to the season of the year. -The divisions of the whole period of a day and night into twenty-four -equal unvarying parts was later than the period of which I am writing, -being attributed to Hipparchus, the astronomer, a native of Nicæa in -Bithynia who lived in the second century B. C. The water-clock -mentioned in the text may have been one of those large ones which -served for the whole night (Plato is said to have had one). The slave in -announcing to the guest the time at which the meal would be served -would probably indicate it by pointing to this or that division marked -upon it. The water-clock may be roughly compared to a sand-glass, but -the water flowed through several orifices, which were very minute.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> He returned in May, 407, conducted in person the procession to -Eleusis; a ceremony which had been discontinued for some time on -account of the presence of the Spartan garrison at Decelea, and left -again to take command of the fleet a few days afterward. He never saw -Athens again.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Three <i>drachmae</i> would be something more than half-a-dollar, -(2 s. 5 d. in English money). This is taking silver at its present conventional -value. What its purchasing power would be now it would be -difficult to say, but it would certainly be greater than that of the sum -by which it is represented.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> So we have in Homer (Iliad 11, 261) “the libations of wine unmingled” -mentioned together with “the hand-holt trusted of yore,” a thing that -gave a solemn sanction to treaties. Similar references abound in the -Greek and Latin poets.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> The ancients painted on panel, not on canvass. Thus the Latin -equivalent for ‘picture’ is tabula or tabella, words which may otherwise -be used for a ‘plank.’</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> From 431 to 406 (the year of which I am now writing). The eight -years from 424-416, during which the peace of Nicias and the truce that -followed it were in force, must be excepted.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> A day or two before the expedition started the pedestal statues of -Hermes which stood at the street corners were broken down. Alcibiades -was charged with being an accomplice in this outrage, refused an opportunity -of defending himself, sent out in joint command, and recalled -when the campaign was in progress.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> The Parelus was one of the two consecrated ships, (the other being -the Salanimia) which were used for such purposes as the conveyance of -ambassadors, the carrying of offerings to shrines, and, in case of need, -the conveyance of important tidings. They were always manned with -picked crews.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> The Peloponnesus or Island of Pelops.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Deccleia was the fort established in Athenian territory by the -Peloponnesians early in the war and used as their headquarters during -their annual invasion of the country.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> The Long Walls were the great strength of Athens. They joined -the harbor of the Piraeus to the city.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> Xenophon distinctly says that he lingered with Lysander, waiting -for the time when the Athenians, at the last pinch of starvation, should -be ready to accept any terms that might be offered.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> Sellasia was a town on the border where the previous embassy had -been bidden to wait till the Ephors could be communicated with.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> The class name of the Athenian nobility.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> A stadium was nearly a furlong; to be exact, 202 yards.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> See Thucydides, VII. 71.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> A very small space yet remained to be erected when Gylippus and -his Lacedaemonians broke through, relieved Syracuse, and practically -decided the issue of the campaign.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> Coronea (447) and Delium (424) had been defeats inflicted by the -Bœotians on the Athenian army at very critical periods when the victory -of the latter must have had very far reaching results.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> The two were Selinus and Egesta.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Commonly known by its Latinized name of Agrigentum.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Tyranny, in its Greek sense, it may be explained, is the unconstitutional -rule of a single person. It does not necessarily connote, as in -English, cruelty or oppression. Except in Sparta, where the kings, indeed, -were only hereditary commanders-in-chief, there was no king in -any Greek state. Wherever an individual ruled, he was, of necessity, a -tyrant.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Hermocrates, resenting the decree of banishment that had been -passed against him, attempted to make himself master of the city. He -marched with the force that he had raised from Selinus, where he was -encamped, and made such haste that he found himself with only a few -companions far in advance, and close to the gates of Syracuse. While -he halted to allow the army to come up, the leaders within the walls -sallied out, overpowered the little party, and killed their leader. There -is very little doubt but that he had resolved to seize absolute power.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> Dionysius did actually compete many times. He is said to have -gained the second and third prizes more than once; and finally in the -last year of his life won the first honors for a play entitled “The Ransoming -of Hector.” One of the various accounts of his death attributes it to -the excessive feasting in which he indulged on hearing of his victory.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Athens capitulated in March, 404; Callias is supposed to have received -the letter about August, 401.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> From one daric to one daric and a half per month, $5 to $7.50.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> For the second of the great victories of Alexander.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Thipsach or “The Passage.”</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> The battle of Cunaxa, in which Cyrus fell, was fought on Sept. 3d. -The day at which we have now arrived is Oct. 31st.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> For convenience’ sake I have translated the dates of the Attic year -which Callias, of course, used with the corresponding days in our reckoning. -October 27 would be the “fifth day of the middle of Boedromia.” -Each month was divided into three portions, often days each, -respectively called beginning, middle, and ending. The days of -the last were reckoned backwards. If this month had twenty-nine days -only, the third division had nine.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> According to some accounts no competitor was crowned unless he -was successful in all. But victory in five exercises so dissimilar could -seldom, if ever, have been gained. Quoit-throwing, for instance, corresponding -to our “putting the stone,” required lofty stature and great -muscular strength, and would very seldom be the specialty of a very -fleet runner.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> The Island of Pelops or Peloponnesus.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> The legend was that Poseidon and Athene contended together for the -honor of being the patron Deity of Attica. This was to be adjudged to -the Power which should present it with the most useful gift. Poseidon -struck the ground with his trident, and produced the horse; Athene -bade the olive spring forth, and was judged to have surpassed her -rival. Reference is made to this legend in the most beautiful of the -choral odes of Sophocles, the “Praise of Colonas” in the second of the -two plays in the Story of Œdipus.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> The examination of accounts (euthuna) was one of the most important -constitutional usages in the Athenian commonwealth. All magistrates -on coming out of office, and ambassadors returning from a mission -had to undergo it. The existence of this usage would make the difference -in the eyes of an Athenian between a constitutional and a despotic -government. The other Greek States, though we know but little of -their internal arrangements, probably had some similar institution.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Rather more than £400.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> Artaxerxes Longimanus, so called from the circumstance of his right -hand being longer than his left. He reigned from 465 to 425.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> About £5,200, ($25,000), if gold is to be reckoned at thirteen times the -value of silver. This is Herodotus’ calculation, and it probably held -good in Greece for a century or more from his time, until, in fact, the -enormous influx of gold from the Asiatic conquests of Alexander -altered the proportion.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> The last scene of his life is described by Xenophon. I give the passage -with some explanation. When he drank the fatal cup he threw the -dregs on the floor with the peculiar jerk given in playing the game of -Cottabos. This game had several forms; but the feature common to -them all was the heaving of wine out of a cup. Sometimes the object -seems to have been a kind of fortune telling. A guest when he had -finished his cup would jerk out any dregs that might be left. At the -same time he named the guest who was to drink next, and the sound -made by the drops falling was supposed to give some omen good or bad. -“To the gracious Critias,” said Theramenes. It was to be a prophecy -of his fate. As a matter of fact Critias fell a few weeks afterward in a -battle with Thrasybulus and the exiles of the democratic party.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> It was usual to kick not to knock with the hand.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> About $18,000.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Something less than $6.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> The battle of Delium (between the Bœotians and the Athenians) was -fought in 424. The precise age of Socrates at the time of his death was -seventy.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> The lines from Hesiod: -</p><p class="poem"> -“No labor mars an honest name;<br /> -’Tis only Idleness is shame,”<br /> -</p> -<p class="noidt">was one instance (quoted by Xenophon in the Recollections of Socrates). -Another (from the same source) is the story of how Ulysses stayed the -Greeks from hurrying to their ships and leaving the siege of Troy. The -common men he struck, but if he found a chief in the crowd he only -remonstrated with him, -</p><p class="poem"> -“But if he saw perchance, some common man<br /> -Blinded with panic, clamorous of tongue,<br /> -With staff he smote him, adding blow to blame.”<br /> -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> The priestess of Apollo at Delphi.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> It was the curious custom in the Athenian courts of criminal justice -that the accused, if found guilty, was required to name a counter penalty -to that proposed by the prosecutor. The prosecutor, as has been seen, -had proposed death. Socrates, under the circumstances, could hardly -have proposed anything less than banishment, if he had any wish that -it should be accepted by the court.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> Rather more than $600.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> The Eleven were the executioners of the law rather taking the place -of the sheriff and the under-sheriff than that of the hangman. The -vagueness of its name is an interesting example of the Greek distaste -for naming anything terrible.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> A young Greek wore his hair long till he reached the age of eighteen. -This little detail is a proof of Phaedo’s extreme youth at this time.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> The Greek <i>philo-lacon</i>. The word had been applied to Cimon, son of -Miltiades, who had always been a popular statesman and so might be -used in a friendly way. If Callias had spoken of Xenophon as disposed -to <i>laconismus</i> it would have been almost an affront, this word meaning -not so much admiration of Spartan ways of life as devotion to -Spartan interests.</p></div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Callias, by Alfred John Church - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CALLIAS *** - -***** This file should be named 41471-h.htm or 41471-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/4/7/41471/ - -Produced by sp1nd and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from -images generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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