Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/116

/ lo8 SPEECH OF BRA SI DAS [v attack, lest you should be disheartened at the seeming „, r. 7 disproportion of numbers, because we 11 e are Donatts ana r r » »«rtv be expected to beat go into battle not with our whole force lonians. But you must but with a handful of men. Our enemies, understand my plan, -r r i • ^ i j • iU T, J„ ■ II 1 am not mistaken, despise us; they I he ent my are off their _ . . guard and ready to believe that no one will come out against retreat. First, I will them, and SO they have ascended the sa y jo» I oil oj one j^.j, ^yj^^^g jj^^y j^j-g busy looking about gate and surprise them, ' j j o then Cleandas from them in disorder, and making but another, to complete small account of US, Now, he is the their discomfiture. ^ r i i .. i j • most successful general "^ who discerns most clearly such mistakes when made by his enemies, and adapts his attack to the character of his own forces, not always assailing them openly and in regular array, but acting according to the circumstances of the case. And the greatest reputation is gained by those stratagems in which a man deceives his enemies most com- pletely, and does his friends most service. Therefore while they are still confident and unprepared, and, if I read their intentions aright, are thinking of withdrawing rather than of maintaining their ground, while they are off their guard and before they have recovered their presence of mind, I and my men will do our best to anticipate their retreat, and will make a rush at the centre of the army. Then, Clearidas, when you see me engaged, and I hope striking panic into them, bring up ypur troops, the Amphipolitans and the other allies, open the gates suddenly, run out, and lose no time in closing with them. This is the way to terrify them ; for reinforcements are always more formidable to an enemy than the troops with which he is already engaged. Show yourself a brave man and a true Spartan, and do you, allies, follow man- fully, remembering that readiness, obedience, and a sense of honour are the virtues of a soldier. To-day you have to choose between freedom and slavery; between the " Cp. iii. 29 fin. I ^1