Page:History of Greece Vol VII.djvu/129

111 DIALOGUE AT MKLOS. Ill this the Melians reply, that omitting all appeal to justice, arid speaking only of what was expedient they hold it to be even expedient for Athens not to break down the common moral sanc- tion of mankind, but to permit that equity and justice shall still remain as a refuge for men in trouble, with some indulgence even towards those who may be unable to make out a case of full and strict right. Most of all was this the interest of Athens herself, inasmuch as her ruin, if it ever occurred, would be awful both as punishment to herself and as lesson to others. " We are not afraid of that (rejoined the Athenian) even if our empire should be overthrown. It is not imperial cities like Sparta who deal harshly with the conquered. Moreover, our present contest is not undertaken against Sparta; it is a contest to determine whether subjects shall by their own attack prevail over their rulers. This is a risk for us to judge of: in the me;i,i time, let us remind you that we come here for the advantage of our own empire, and that we are now speaking with a view to your safety ; wishing to get you under our empire without trouble to ourselves, and to preserve you for the mutual benefit of both of us." " Can- not you leave us alone, and let us be your friends instead of enemies, but neither allies of you nor of Sparta ? " said the Me- lians. " No (is the reply) ; your friendship does us more harm than your enmity : your friendship is a proof of our weakness, in the eyes of our subject-allies ; your enmity will give a demon- stration of our power." " But do your subjects really take such possession do ce qu'on alloit lui cnlevcr, des quc le danger seroit passe. M Jackson assura quo le Danemark ne perdroit ricn, que 1'on sc conduiroit chcz lui en auxiliaires et en amis que les troupes Britanniques paycroient tout ce qu'clles consommeroient. Et avcc quoi, re'pondit le prince indigne, payeriez vous notre honneur perdu, si nous adhe'rions u cette infame propo- sition? Le prince continuant, ct opposant a cette perfide intention la conduite loyale du Danemark, qui n'avoit pris aucune precaution centre ics Anglois, qui les avoit toutcs prises contre les Francois, ce dont on ahusoit pour le surprcndre J/. Jact^son repondit & cette juste indignation par une insolente familiarity disant que la guerre e'toit la guerre, qiCil falloit sc re- y'ti/ner a ces necessity et ce'der au plus fort quand on e'toit le plus foible. Lc prince conge'dia 1'agcnt Anglois avcc des paroles fort dures, ct lui declara qu'il alloit se transporter a Copcnhague, pour y rcmplir ses devoirs dc prince et de citoycn Danois." (liners, Ilistoirc du Consalat et do i'Erapirc, tome viii, li v rc xxviii, p. 190.)