Page:History of Greece Vol IX.djvu/75

 DEBATE WITH PHALINUS. 53 of some military experience and in the confidence of Tissaphernes, addressed himself to the Greek commanders ; requiring them on the part of the king, since he was now victor and had slam Cyrus, to surrender their arms and appeal to his mercy. To this sum- mons, painful in the extreme to a Grecian ear, Klearchus replied that it was not the practice for victorious men to lay down their arms. Being then called away to examine the sacrifice which was going on, he left the interview to the other officers, who met the summons of Phalinus by an emphatic negative. " If the king thinks himself strong enough to ask for our arms unconditionally, let him come and try to seize them." " The king (rejoined Phali- nus) thinks that you are in his power, being in the midst of his territory, hemmed in by impassable rivers, and encompassed by his innumerable subjects." " Our arms and our valor are all that remain to us (replied a young Athenian) ; we shall not be fools enough to hand over to you our only remaining treasure, but shall employ them still to have a fight for your treasure." 1 But though several spoke in this resolute tone, there were not wanting others disposed to encourage a negotiation ; saying that they had been faithful to Cyrus as long as he lived, and would now be faithful to Artaxerxes, if he wanted their services in Egypt or anywhere else. In the midst of this parley Klearchus returned, and was requested by Phalinus to return a final answer on behalf of all. He at first asked the advice of Phalinus himself; appealing to the common feeling of Hellenic patriotism, and anticipating, with very little judgment, that the latter would encourage the Greeks in holding out. " If (replied Phalinus) I saw one chance out of ten thousand in your favor, in the event of a contest with the kin, I should advise you to refuse the surrender of your arms. But 03 there is no chance of safety for you against the king's consent, I recom- mend you to look out for safety in the only quarter where it pre- sents itself." Sensible of the mistake which he had mr*de in asking the question, Klearchus rejoined, " That is your opinion ; now report our answer : We think we shall be better friends to the king, if we are to be his friends, or more effective enemies, if we are to be his enemies, with our arms, than without them." 1 Xen. Anab. ii, 1, 12 HTJ ovv olov TU fiova rffitv dya$u JVTO. iifri > napa/' iuceiv clAAu ovv TOVTOI$ nal Kepi TUV v/icTepuv uycr&H>v