Page:History of Greece Vol V.djvu/163

 BATTLE OF SALAJHS. — RETREAT OF XERXES. 139 anger against Mardonius, as the instigator of this ruinous enter- prise. That general knew full well that there was no safety for him' in returning to Persia with the shame of failure on his head : it was better for him to take upon himself the chance of subduing Greece, which he had good hopes of being yet able to do, — and to advise the return of Xerxes himself to a safe and easy residence in Asia. Such counsel was eminently palatable to the present alarm of the monarch, while it opened to Mar- donius himself a fresh chance not only of safety, but of increased power and glory. Accordingly, he began to reassure his master, by representing that the recent blow was after all not serious, — that it had only fallen upon the inferior part of his force, and upon worthless foreign slaves, like Phenicians, Egyptians, etc., while the native Persian troops yet remained unconquered and unconquerable, fully adequate to execute the monarch's revenge upon Hellas ; — that Xerxes might now very well retire with the bulk of his army if he were disposed, and that he, Mardonius, would pledge himself to complete the conquest, at the head of three hundred thousand chosen troops. This proposition afforded at the same time consolation for the monarch's Avounded vanity, and safety for his person : his confidential Persians, and Arte- misia herself, on being consulted, approved of the step. The latter had acquired his confidence by the dissuasive advice which she had given before the recent deplorable engagement, and she had every motive now to encourage a proposition indicating solicitude for his person, as well as relieving herself from the obligation of farther service. " K Mardonius desires to remain (she remarked, contemptuously^), by all means let him have the troops : should he succeed, thou wilt be the gainer : should he even perish, the loss of some of thy slaves is trifling, so long as thou remainest safe, and thy house in power. Thou hast already accomplished the purpose of thy expedition, in burning Athens." Xerxes, while adopting this counsel, and directing the return of his fleet, showed his satisfaction with the Halikarnassian queen, by intrusting her with some of his children, directing her to transport them to Ephesus. The Greeks at Salamis learned with surprise and joy the de- ' Compare Herodot. vii, 10 2 Herodot. viii, 101, 102.