Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/103

126, 127] REPULSE OF THE BARBARIANS 95 honourable, no imputation can be thrown on their courage. When every man is his own master in battle he will readily find a decent excuse for saving himself. They clearly think that to frighten us at a safe distance is a better plan than to meet us hand to hand ; else why do they shout instead of fighting ? You may easily see that all the terrors with which you have invested them arc in reality nothing ; they do but startle the sense of sight and hearing. If you repel their tumultuous onset, and, when opportunity ofters, withdraw again in good order, keeping your ranks, you will sooner arrive at a place of safety, and will also learn the lesson that mobs like these, if an adversary with- stand their first attack, do but threaten at a distance and make a flourish of valour, although if he yields to them they are quick enough to show their courage in following at his heels when there is no danger.' Brasidas, having addressed his army, began to retreat. 127 Whereupon the barbarians with loud ^,^^ lUyrians, fmd- noise and in great disorder pressed hig that they make »o hard upon him, supposing that he was n»pression, seize a pass; flying, and that they could overtake and destroy his troops. But, wherever they attacked, the soldiers appointed for the purpose ran out and met them, and Brasidas himself with his chosen men received their charge. Thus the first onset of the barbarians met with a resistance which surprised them, and whenever they renewed the attack the Lacedaemonians received and repelled them again, and when they ceased, proceeded with their march. Thereupon the greater part of the barbarians abstained from attacking Brasidas and his Hellenes in the open country; but leaving a certain number to follow and harass them, they ran on after the fugitive Macedonians and killed any with whom they fell in. They then secured beforehand the narrow pass be; tween two hills which led into the country of Arrhibaeus, knowing that this was the only path by which Brasidas could retreat. And as he was approaching the most