Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/327

40] SPEECH OF CLEON 211 number of our adversaries will be increased. And when we ought to be employed in repelling the enemies with whom we have to do, we shall be wasting time in fighting against our own allies. ' Do not then hold out a hope, which eloquence can 40 secure or money buy, that they are to be excused and that their error is to .^^ "°^^' "f^^^h . ptly, fine words, or a be deemed human and venial. Their y,j,.g{yi„g temper. IJ attack was not unpremeditated ; that you have no right to might have been an excuse for them ; "'^'": 'cbds, yon have , ' no righl to rule. Ircat but they knew what they were domg. //,„« as they, fearing This was my original contention, and your vengeance, would I still maintain that you should abide ^'^f/ treated you. You •^ will nave no trouble by your former decision, and not be ^^VA your allies when misled either by pity, or by the charm they know that rebellion of words, or by a too forgiving temper. ^^-^^J^ />'""^f'^^ h There are no three things more pre- judicial to your power. Mercy should be reserved for the merciful, and not thrown away upon those who will have no compassion on us, and who must by the force of circumstances always be our enem.ies. And our charming orators will still have an arena", but one in which the questions at stake will not be so grave, and the city will not pay so dearly for her brief pleasure in listening to them, while they for a good speech get a good fee. Lastly, forgiveness is naturally shown to those who, being re- conciled, Vv'ill continue friends, and not to those who will always remain what they were, and will abate nothing of their enmit}-. In one word, if you do as I say, you will do what is just to the Mytilenaeans, and also what is expedient for yourselves ; but, if you take the opposite course, they will not be grateful to you, and you will be self-condemned. For, if they were right in revolting, you must be wrong in maintaining your empire. But if, right or wrong, you are resolved to rule, then rightly or wrongly they must be chastised for your good. Otherwise you must " Cp. iii. 37 fin. P 2