Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/173

 82-84] SPEECH OF ARCHIDAMUS 57 make their resistance more obstinate. For if we allow ourselves to be stung into premature action by the re- proaches of our allies, and waste their country before we are ready, we shall only involve Peloponnesus in more and more difficulty and disgrace. Charges brought by cities or persons against one another can be satisfactorily arranged; but when a great confederacy, in order to satisfy private grudges, undertakes a war of which no man can foresee the issue, it is not easy to terminate it with honour. And let no one think that there is any want of courage 83 in cities so numerous hesitating to ^,. ,. . " 1 here %s no cowardice J attack a smgle one. Ihe allies ot the ,-,^ hesitation; ive aref Athenians are not less numerous ; they f'gi't'ng not agai>ist .1 i. 'u J. i „ A „ ,'^ .,^(- Athens, but atraiiist the I pay them tribute too: and war is not ,', -^ ^. ( ^ "^ ' great Athenian empire. an affair of arms, but of money which gives to arms their use, and which is needed above all things when a continental is fighting against a maritime power : let us find money first, and then we may safely allow our minds to be excited by the speeches of our allies. We, on whom the future responsibility, whether for good or evil, will chiefly fall, should calmly reflect on the con- sequences which may follow. ' Do not be ashamed of the slowness and procrastination 84 with which they are so fond of charging j^^ „„,^/, ,^„,f^,^ ^^^ you ; if you begin the war in haste, little speed. Our dis- you will end it at your leisure, because '"^^^ "'"' f'f'" •J -^ _. are the secret oj our you took up arms without sufficient g,r(j/„fss. ii'e must not preparation. Remember that we have undervalueourenemies,, , .,. r r J. ^^1- and we must not re/yon always been citizens of a free and most y^,.^^^„^_ illustrious state, and that for us the policy which they condemn may well be the truest good sense and discretion. It is a policy which has saved us from growing insolent in prosperity or giving way under adver- sity, like other men. We are not stimulated by the allure- ments of flattery into dangerous courses of which we disapprove ; nor are we goaded by offensive charges into compliance with any man's wishes. Our habits of discipline