Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/248

 132 FUNERAL SPEECH OF PERICLES [ll selves alone. And when the moment came they were minded to resist and suffer, rather than to fly and save their lives ; they ran away from the word of dishonour^ but on the battle-field their feet stood fast, and '"^in an instant, at the height of their fortune, they passed away from the scene, not of their fear, but of their glory a. 43 * Such was the end of these men ; they were worthy of Athens, and the living need not desire Contemplate and love, , , . • •. ^,^ 1 Athens, and you zv.il ^o have a more heroic spirit, although know how to value them, they may pray for a less fatal issue. They were nnitcdmthcir jhe value of such a Spirit is not to be deaths, but their rlory , . j a .' J ■ r expressed in words. Any one can /5 separate and stiigle. ^ •> Their sepulchre is the discourse to you for ever about the ad- rementbrattee of them vantages of a brave defence, which you in the hearts of men. , , j n i. • ^ j c ^• ^ ■ r, „ ,, ■ ■' ., know already. But instead of listening rollow their example _ -^ o without fear : it is the to him I would have you day by day prosperous, not the un- fix your eyes upon the greatness of foitunate, who should », 1 ,., , ^,, , ... be reckless Athens, until you become filled with the love of her ; and when you are impressed by the spectacle of her glory, reflect that this empire has been acquired by men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it, who in the hour of conflict had the fear of dishonour always present to them, and who, if ever they failed in an enterprise, would not allow their virtues to be lost to their country, but freely gave their lives to her as the fairest offering which they could present at her feast. The sacrifice which they collectively made was individually repaid to them ; for they received again each one for himself a praise which grows not old, and the noblest of all sepulchres— I speak not of that in which their remains are laid, but of that in which their glory survives, and is proclaimed always and on every " Or, taking Ti)x'?y with icaipov : 'while for a moment they were in the hands of fortune, at the height, not of terror but of glory, they passed away.'