Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/179

 92-ioo] THE MELIAN CONTROl^ERSY 171 dare not. So that your subjection will give us an increase of security, as well as an extension of empire. For we are masters of the sea, and you who are islanders, and insignificant islanders too, must not be allowed to escape us.' Mel. ' But do you not recognise another danger ? For, 98 once more, since you drive us from j^,„ ^,-„ „^, ^,^,,,. the plea of justice '^and press upon us policy couvert all mu- your doctrine of expediency*, we must '''"'^ *"*" f**""'^^? show you what is for our interest, and, if it be for yours also, may hope to convince you : — Will you not be making enemies of all who are now neutrals? When they see how you are treating us they will expect you some day to turn against them ; and if so, are you not strengthening the enemies whom you already have, and bringing upon you others who, if they could help, would never dream of being your enemies at all ? ' Atli. 'We do not consider our really dangerous ene- 99 mies to be any of the peoples inhabiting j,^^ „^^,^^.^/ ^^^^,^^ the mainland who, secure in their 0/ the mamlaud have freedom, may defer indefinitely any nothing to fear from c ,• L- u i.u i 1 "^» ct^ therefore we measures of precaution which they take ^^^^^ nothin t f ■ against us, but islanders who, like you, from them. Our sub- happen to be under no control, and all jeds^nd the free island- who may be already irritated by the "^ "'^ ^"^ anget. necessity of submission to our empire — these are our real enemies, for they are the most reckless and most likely to bring themselves as well as us into a danger which they cannot but foresee.' Mel. ' Surely then, if you and your subjects will brave 100 all this risk, you to preserve your .^ j- r, r ' -^ ^ •' if yon fight for ern- empire and they to be quit of it, how pire and your subjects base and cowardly would it be in us, M freedom, shall we who retain our freedom, not to do and ^^'^^^^ suffer anything rather than be your slaves.* " Or, ' and insist upon our compliance with j'our interests.