Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/211

 31-33] PRAYERS AND LIBATIONS 203 where spoken of, no less than at the great disproportion of the force when compared with that of the enemy against whom it was intended. Never had a greater expedition been sent to a foreign land ; never was there an enterprise An which the hope of future success seemed to be better justified by actual power. Yhen the ships were manned and everything required 32 for the voyage had been placed on Pmyeis offered by board, silence was proclaimed by the the whole fleet and by sound of the trumpet, and all with *' ^P''^*"'"'-'- The . sailors make libations one voice before settmg sail offered up „„d raise the paean. the customary prayers ; these were The ships race as far recited, not in each ship separately, "^ Aegma. but by a single herald, the whole fleet accompanying him. On every deck both the officers and the marines, mingling wine in bowls, made libations from vessels of gold and silver. The multitude of citizens and other well-wishers who were looking on from the land joined in the prayer. The crews raised the paean and, when the libations were completed, put to sea. After sailing out for some distance in single file, the ships raced with one another as far as Aegina ; thence they hastened onwards to Corcyra, where the allies who formed the rest of the army were assembling. Meanwhile reports of the expedition were coming in to Syracuse from many quarters, but for Rumours of the ex- a long time nobody gave credit to pedition reach Syracuse. them. At length an assembly was held. Even then different opinions were expressed, some affirming and others denying that the expedition was coming. At last Hermocrates the son of Hermon, believing that he had certain information, came forward, and warned the Syra- cusans in the following words : — when I tell you that the expedition is really coming ; and I am well aware that those who are either the authors or reporters of tidings which seem incredible not only fail to convince others, but are thought fools for their
 * I dare say that, like others, I shall not be believed 33