Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/320

 512 SPEECH OF NIC/AS TO HIS MEN [vil o thought of all the changes which are necessary in the construction of our ships, and in order to counteract the thickness of the beams on the enemy's prows, for this did us more mischief than anything else, we have provided iron grapnels, which will prevent any ship striking us from getting off if the marines are quick and do their duty. For, as I tell you, we are positively driven to fight a land-battle on ship-board, and our best plan is neither to back water ourselves nor to allow the enemy to back water after we have once closed with him. Recollect that the shore, except so far as our land-forces extend, is in their hands. 63 ' Knowing all this, you must fight to the last with all To the soldiers I say: your Strength, and not be driven ashore. When once engaged you When ship Strikes ship, refuse to must not sef>aratc until 1 im l 1. iU, ' ., ., separate until you have swept the yon have sivept the ' -^ _ ' enemy's decks. To the enemy's heavy-armcd from their decks. sailorj: Yon have more I am speaking to the hoplitcs rather and better sh,/>s. To ^j^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ ^^-^^^^ ^^^ ^j^j^ j^ ^j^^ the aihes : Ixenienibcr _ ' the gloiy and the ad- Special duty of the men on deck. We vantages of your con- niay Still reckon on the superiority of nexion with Athens, • c ,. tu • t 11 c, sj, u our inlantry. 1 he sailors 1 would Shoiv that your tvcak- •' ness is more than exhort, nay I would implore them, not another's strength. to be paralysed by their disasters ; for they will find the arrangements on deck improved, and the numbers of the fleet increased. Some among you have long been deemed Athenians, though they are not ; and to them I say, Consider how precious is that privilege, and how worthy to be defended. You were admired in Hellas because you spoke our language and adopted our manners, and you shared equally with ourselves in the substantial advantages of our empire, while you gained even more than we by the dread which you inspired in subject-states and in your security against wrong. You alone have been free partners in that empire ; you ought not to betray it now. And so, despising the Corinthians whom you have beaten again and again, and the Sicilians who never dared