Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/206

198 ENTHUSIASM FOR THE EXPEDITION [vi mined than ever ; they approved of his advice, and were confident that every chance of danger was now removed. All alike were seized with a passionate desire to sail, the eider among them convinced that they would achieve the conquest of Sicily, — at any rate such an armament could suffer no disaster; the youth were longing to see with their own eyes the marvels of a distant land, and were confident of a safe return ; the main body of the troops expected to receive present pay, and to conquer a country which would be an inexhaustible mine of pay for the future. The enthusiasm of the majority was so over- whelming that, although some disapproved, they were afraid of being thought unpatriotic if they voted on the other side, and therefore held their peace. 25 At last an Athenian came forward and, calling upon Nkias gives a provi- Nicias, said that they would have no sional estimate of the more excuscs and delays ; he must forces required. ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^j^^^ ^^^.^^^ ^j^^ people were to vote him. He replied, with some un- willingness, that he would prefer to consider the matter at leisure with his colleagues, but that, as far as he could see at present, they ought to have at least a hundred triremes of their own ; of these a certain number might be used as transports", and they must order more triremes from their allies. Of heavy-armed troops they would require in all, including Athenians and allies, not less than five thousand, and more if they could possibly have them ; the rest of the armament must be in proportion, and should comprise archers to be procured both at home and Irom Crete, and slingers. These forces, and what- ever else seemed to be required, the generals would make ready before they started. 26 Upon this the Athenians at once decreed that the „ ^ ,. , generals should be empowered to act FreparatiOHs for war. ^ as they thought best in the interest of the state respecting the numbers of the army and the " Cp. ch. 31 init., 43 init.