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 354 PHOCION. him of old standing, that he had not so much as the least familiarity with him ; " Yet now, sir," says he, " give me leave to put you down among the number of my friends and well-wishers, as you have given a piece of advice so much to my advantage." And when the people were eager to make an expedition against the Boeotians, he at first opposed it ; and on his friends telling him the people would kill him, for always running counter to them, "That will be unjust of them," he said," if I give them honest advice, if not, it will be just of them." But when he found them persisting and shouting to him to lead them out, he commanded the crier to make proclamation, that all the Athenians under sixty should instantly provide themselves with five days' pro- vision, and follow him from the assembly. This caused a great tumult. Those in years were startled, and clamored against the order ; he demanded wherein he injured them, "For I," says he, "am now fourscore, and am ready to lead you." This succeeded in pacifying them for the present. But when Micion, with a large force of Macedonians and mercenaries, began to pillage the sea-coast, having made a descent upon Rhamnus, and overrun the neigh- boring country, Phocion led out the Athenians to attack him. And when sundry private persons came, inter- meddling with his disj)ositions, and telling him that he ought to occupy such or such a hill, detach the cavalry in this or that direction, engage the enemy on this point or that, " Hercules," said he, " how many generals have we here, and how few soldiers ! " Afterwards, having formed the battle, one who wished to show his bravery, advanced out of his post before the rest, but on the ene- my's approaching, lost heart, and retired back into his rank. " Young man," said Phocion, " are you not ashamed twice in one day to desert your station, first