Darius and was still better convinced of the difficulties and Nothus. dangers which would ensue from it, thought himself obliged to speak with some vehemence against a project, the consequences of which he foresaw might be very fatal to the republick. He said, "That it "was surprizing so important an affair should have "been determined, the moment almost it was taken "into deliberation: That without once enquiring "into matters, they had given credit to whatever "was told them by foreigners, who were very la"vish of their promises; and whose interest it was "to offer mighty things, in order to extricate them"selves from their imminent danger. After all, "what advantage (says he) can accrue from thence "to the republick? Have we so few enemies at our "doors, that we need go in search of others at a "distance from us? Will you act wisely, to hazard 66 your present possessions, on the vain hopes of an "uncertain advantage? To meditate new conquests, "before you have secured your ancient ones? To "study nothing but the aggrandizing of your state, "and quite neglect your own safety? Can you de"pend in any manner on a truce, which you your selves know is very precarious; which you are "sensible has been infringed more than once; and "which the least defeat on our side may suddenly 66 change into an open war? You are not ignorant "how the Lacedæmonians have always been, and "still continue, disposed with regard to us. They "detest our government as different from theirs; "it is with grief and disdain they see us possessed "of the empire of Greece; they consider our glory "as their shame and confusion; and there is no thing they would not attempt, to humble a power "which excites their jealousy, and keeps them per"petually in fear, These are our real enemies, and "it is they we ought to guard against. Will it be a proper time to make these reflections, when (after having divided our troops, and our arms "will be employed elsewhere, and unable to resist 66 "them) we shall be attacked at once by all the Darius"forces of Peloponnesus? We do but just begin to Nothus, "breathe, after the calamities in which war and the plague had plunged us; and we are now going to "plunge ourselves into greater danger. If we are "ambitious of carrying our arms into distant coun"tries, would it not be more expedient to march "and reduce the rebels of Thrace, and other nations "who are still wavering, and unfixed in their alle"giance, than to fly to the succour of the inhabi"tants of Egesta, about whose welfare we ought to "be very indifferent? And will it suit our interest, "to attempt to revenge their injuries, at a time "that we do not discover the least resentment for "those we ourselves receive? Let us leave the Sici lians to themselves, and not engage in their quar"rels, which it is their business to decide. As the "inhabitants of Egesta undertook the war without "us, let them extricate themselves from it as well as they can. Should any of our generals advise you to this enterprize, from an ambitious or selfinterested view; merely to make a vain parade of "his splendid equipages, or to raise money to sup port his extravagance; be not guilty of so much "imprudence as to sacrifice the interest of the repub"lick to his, or permit him to involve it in the same "ruin with himself. An enterprize of so much importance ought not to be committed wholly to "the conduct of a young man. Remember it is "prudence, not prejudice and passion, that gives "success to affairs." Nicias concluded with declaring it his opinion, that it would be proper to deliberate again on the affair, in order to prevent the fatal consequences with which their taking rash resolutions might be attended. It was plain he had Alcibiades in view, and that his enormous luxury was the object of his censure. And indeed he carried it to an incredible height; and lavished prodigious sums of money on horses, equipages and moveables; not to mention the delicacy Darius and sumptuousness of his table. He disputed the Nothus. prize in the Olympick games with seven sets of cha riot horses, which no private man had ever done before him; and he was crowned more than once on that occasion. Extraordinary resources were necessary for supporting such luxury; and as avarice often serves as a resource to ambition, there were some grounds to believe, that Alcibiades was no less solicitous for conquering Sicily and Carthage (which he pretended to possess afterwards as his own), to enrich his family, than to render it glorious. It is natural to suppose, that Alcibiades did not let this speech of Nicias go unanswered. 66 66 "This, says Alcibiades, is not the first time that "merit has excited jealousy, and glory been made "the object of envy. That very thing which is imputed to me for a crime, is, I will presume to say it, the honour of my country, and ought to gain me applause. The splendor in which I live; "the great sums I expend, particularly in the publick "assemblies; besides their being just and lawful, at "the same time give foreigners a greater idea of the "glory of Athens; and show, that it is not in such "want of money as our enemies imagine. But this " is not our present business. Let the world form "a judgment of me, not from passion and preju"dice, but from my actions. Was it an inconside rable service I did the republick, in bringing over ❝(in one day) to its alliance, the people of Elis, of "Mantinea and of Argos, that is, the chief strength "of Peloponnesus? Make use, therefore, to aggran"dize your empire, of Alcibiades's youth and folly "(since his enemies give it that name), as well as of "the wisdom and experience of Nicias; and do not repent, from vain and idle fears, your engaging "in an enterprize publickly resolved upon, and "which may redound infinitely both to your glory "and advantage. The citics of Sicily, weary of the "unjust and cruel government of their princes, and "still more of the tyrannical authority which Syra Nothus. cuse exercises over them, wait only for a favour- Darius "able opportunity to declare themselves; and are "ready to open their gates to whomsoever shall "offer to take off the yoke under which they have so long groaned. Though the citizens of Egesta, "in quality of your allies, should not have a right "to your protection; yet the glory of Athens ought "to engage you to support them. Republicks ag "grandize themselves by succouring the oppressed, "and not by living unactive. In the present state "of your affairs, the only way to dispirit your ene"mies, and shew that you are not afraid of them, "will be, to harass one nation, to check the progress of another, to keep them all employed, and carry your arms into distant countries. Athens was not formed for ease; and it was not by inac"tivity that your ancestors raised it to the height in which we now see it. For the rest, what hazards will you run by engaging in the enterprize in question? If it should be crowned with success, 66 ઃઃ 66 you will then possess yourselves of all Greece; and "should it not answer your expectations, your fleet "will give you an opportunity of retiring whenever you please. The Lacedæmonians indeed may "make an incursion into our country; but, besides "that it would not be in our power to prevent it, “though we should not invade Sicily, we still shall preserve the empire of the sea, in spite of them; "a circumstance which makes our enemies entirely "despair of ever being able to conquer us. Be not "therefore biassed by Nicias's reasons. The only tendency of them is to sow the seeds of discord between the young and old men, who can do nothing without one another; since it is wisdom “and courage, counsel and execution, that give success to all enterprizes: And this in which we are going to embark, cannot but turn to your advantage." The Athenians, flattered and pleased with Al- Darius cibiades's speech, persisted in their first opinion. but at the same time did not dare to oppose Alcibi- - Plutarch makes this reflection in his excellent trea- Nicias, not daring to oppose Alcibiades any longer openly, endeavoured to do it indirectly, by starting a great number of difficulties, drawn especially from the great expence of this expedition. He declared, that since they were resolved upon war, they ought to carry it on in such a manner as might suit the exalted reputation to which Athens had attained: That a fleet was not sufficient to oppose so formidable a power as that of the Syracusans and their allies: That they must raise an army, composed of good horse and foot, if they desired to act in a manner worthy of so grand a design: That besides their fleet, which was to make them masters at sea, they must · Καθάπερ αμέλει χαλινῷ τῷ λόγῳ πειρώμενο αποςρέφειν 1 |