Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/333

 76-78] LAST SPEECH OF NICIAS 325 that they may not be lightened ? For our enemies have had their full share of success, and if we were under the jealousy of any God when our fleet started ^, by this time we have been punished enough. Others ere now have attacked their neighbours ; they have done as men will do, and suffered what men can bear. Wc may therefore begin to hope that the Gods will be more merciful to us ; for we now invite their pity rather than their jealousy. And look at your own well-armed ranks ; see how many brave sol- diers you are, marching in solid array ^', and do not be dismayed ; bear in mind that wherever you plant your- selves you are a city already, and that no city in Sicily will find it easy to resist your attack, or can dislodge you if you choose to settle. Provide for the safety and good order of your own march, and remember every one of you that on whatever spot a man is compelled to fight, there if he con- quer he may find a native land and a fortress. We must press forward day and night, for our supplies are but scanty. The Sicels through fear of the Syracusans still adhere to us, and if we can only reach any part of their territory we shall be among friends, and you may consider yourselves secure. We have sent to them, and they have been told to meet us and bring food. In a word, soldiers, let me tell you that you must be brave ; there is no place near to which a ccrward can fly^. And if you now escape your enemies, those of you who are not Athenians will see once more the home for which they long, while you Athen- ians will again rear aloft the fallen greatness of Athens. For men, and not walls or ships in which are no men, constitute a state.' Thus exhorting his troops Nicias passed through the 78 army, and wherever he saw gaps in the ranks or the men dropping out of line, he brought them back to their proper place. Demosthenes did the same for the troops under " Cp. vii. 50 fin. ^ Cp. vi. 68 init. ; vii. 61 fin. •^ Cp. vi. 68 med. and fin.