Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/271

 72,73] ARCHIDAMUS AND THE PLATAEANS 155 this great war has been undertaken and all these pre- parations made. It would be best for you to join with us, and observe the oaths yourselves which you would have us observe. But if you prefer to be neutral, a course which we have already once proposed to you, retain possession of your lands, and receive both sides in peace, but neither for the purposes of war ; and we shall be satisfied.' The Plataean ambassadors then returned to the city and reported these words of Archidamus to „, ,, , Till' Platacaijs reply the people, who made answer that they //,„/ n,,,, ,,,„„„i ^d could not do what they were asked iviihout the Aiiieuians, without the sanction of the Athenians, '""' "^'^ ^"' ""y ''- . hiisi the Tliebayts. m whose power they had left their wives and children, and that they also feared for the very existence of their state. When the Lacedaemonians were gone the Athenians might come and not allow them to carry out the treaty ; or the Thebans, who would be included in the clause requiring them 'to receive both sides,' might again attempt to seize their town. To this Archidamus, wanting to reassure them, made the following answer : — ' Then deliver over your city and houses to the Lace- daemonians; mark the boundaries of ^,M^^„„,sii,euasks your land, and number your fruit-trees timn to smrcndir the and anything else which can be counted. <:^'y '''i ^^'^ end of the Go yourselves whithersoever you please, while the war lasts, and on the return of peace we will give back to you all that we have received. Until then we will hold your property in trust, and will cultivate your ground, paying you such a rent as will content you.' Upon hearing these words the en- ^^,^ pytacans, oh- ^3 voys again returned into the city, taming pennission to and, after holding a consultation with considt the Athenians, ,1 1, 1 1 A I • J iU *. «'<? encouraged by them the people, told Archidamus that •, * tr f ' ^ ^ to resist. they wished first to communicate his proposals to the Athenians, and if they could get their