Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/305

 8-IO] SPEECH OF THE MYTILENAEANS 189 themselves, are naturally united by the same interests and feelings and equally matched in power and resources, and when there is no reasonable excuse for a revolt. But our relation to the Athenians was of another sort, and no one should be severe upon us for deserting them in the hour of danger although we were honoured by them in time of peace. ourselves to the question of justice and honour. We know that no friendship youfaLmtwf JZ between man and man, no league siwiv that we dcsave between city and city, can ever be per- ^°"*' '■"^'''^'• manent unless the friends or allies have a good opinion of each other's honesty, and are similar in general character. For the diversity in men's minds makes the difference in their actions. ' Now our alliance with the Athenians first began when you ceased to take part in the Persian ^-, ^,,„,„, „;^.,, ,^ War, and they remained to complete the Atimtians because the work. But we were never the ^^ ■wanted to complete !!• r ..u A iU • • .1 • 1 • the deUvcrauce of Hellas allies of the Athenians in their design from the Pe,Jns. But of subjugating Hellas; we were really when tve saw the allies, the allies of the Hellenes, whom we ^"""P'^'S H'" Chians ,,,,.,, ,- , T-. . and ourselves, succes- sought to hberate from the Persians, lively enslaved by them. And while in the exercise of their com- what wonder that we mand they claimed no supremacy, we lost confidence in them i were very ready to follow them. But our fears began to be aroused when we saw them relaxing their efforts against the Persians and imposing the yoke of their dominion upon the allies, who could not unite and defend themselves, for their interests were too various. And so they were all enslaved, except ourselves and the Chians. We forsooth were independent allies, free men — that was the word — who fought at their side. But, judging from previous ex- amples, how could we any longer have confidence in our leaders? For they had subjugated others to whom, equally with ourselves, their faith was pledged ; and how
 * Since an alliance is our object, we will first address 10