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113 DIALOGUE AT MELOS. |1.S remaining deaf to your call, we congratulate you indeed on } oui innocent simplicity, but we at the same time deprecate such fool- ishness. For the Lacedaemonians are indeed most studious of excellence in regard to themselves and their own national cus- toms. But looking at their behavior towards others, we affirm roundly, and can prove by many examples of their history, that they are of all men the most conspicuous in construing what is pleasing as if it were honorable, and what is expedient as if it were just. Now that is not the state of mind which you require, to square with your desperate calculations of safety." After various other observations interchanged in a similar tenor, the Athenian envoys, strenuously urging upon the Melian* to reconsider the matter more cautiously among themselves, with drew, and after a certain interval were recalled by the Melian council to hear the following words : " We hold to the same opinion, as at first, men of Athens : we shall not surrender the independence of a city which has already stood for seven hundred years ; we shall yet make an effort to save ourselves, relying on that favorable fortune which the gods have hitherto vouchsafed to us, as well as upon aid from men, and especially from the Lace- daemonians. We request that we may be considered as your friends, but as hostile to neither party, and that you will leave the island after concluding such a truce as may be mutually acceptable." "Well (said the Athenian envoys), you alone seem to consider future contingencies as clearer than the facts before your eyes, and to look at an uncertain distance, through your own wishes, as if it were present reality. You have staked your all upon the Lacedaemonians, upon fortune, and upon fond hopes ; and, with your all, you will come to ruin." The siege was forthwith commenced. A wall of circumvalla- tion, distributed in portions among the different allies of Athens, was constructed round the town ; which was left under full blockade, both by sea and land, while the rest of the armament retired home. The town remained blocked up for several months. During the course of that time, the besieged made two successful sallies, which afforded them some temporary relief, and forced the Athenians to send an additional detachment, under Philokrates. At length the provisions within were exhausted. VOL. vn. 8oc.