67-69] THE FIRST ENGAGEMENT 231 We are Argives and Mantineans, and Athenians and the chief of the islanders ; and must j^^ are picked men, not the presence of so many brave and they are the popu^ allies inspire every one of us with a ^'^ °f " "^ '^y ' -' despise its, but wtll not good hope of victory, especially when jjg/,( ^s. We are far we reflect that our opponents are from home and retreat not like ourselves picked soldiers, but a '"'/'<^>^^'- whole city which has turned out to meet us ? They are Sicilians too, who, although they may despise us, will not stand their ground against us ; for their skill is not equal to their courage. Consider again that we are far from home, and that there is no friendly land near but what you can win with your swords'*. The generals of the enemy, as I know well, are appealing to very different motives. They say to them, "you are fighting for your own country," but I say to you that you are fighting in a country which is not your own, and from which, if you do not conquer, retreat will be impossible, for swarms of cavalry will follow at your heels. Remember your own reputation, and charge valiantly, deeming the difficulties and necessities of your position to be more formidable than the enemy.' Nicias having thus exhorted his men led them at once 69 to the charge. The Syracusans did The Syracttsans are not expect that they would have to unprepared for the at- /-1,-^i.i,. i. J r tack; they have plenty fight just at that moment, and some of ^^,^,,,^^-;^ ^„, „;., ^,. them had even gone away into the fdent in skill. Motives city, which was close at hand; others of the t-wo armies. came running up as fast as they could, and, although late, joined the main body one by one at the nearest point. For they showed no want of spirit or daring in this or any other engagement ; in courage they were not a whit inferior to their enemies, had their skill only been adequate, but when it failed, they could no longer do justice to their good intentions. On this occasion they were compelled
- Cp. vii. 77 fin.
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