53.
They therefore thought good to send afore unto the Athenians certain men without privilege of heralds for to sound them and to say in this manner:
[2]
‘Men of Athens, you do unjustly to begin the war and violate the articles;
for whereas we go about to right us on our enemies, you stand in our way and bear arms against us;
if therefore you be resolved to hinder our going against Corcyra or whatsoever place else we please, dissolve the peace, and laying hands first upon us that are here, use us as enemies.’ Thus said they;
[3]
and the Corcyraeans, as many of the army as heard them, cried out immediately to take and kill them.
[4]
But the Athenians made answer thus: ‘Men of Peloponnesus, neither do we begin the war nor break the peace;
but we bring aid to these our confederates, the Corcyraeans;
if you please therefore to go any whither else, we hinder you not, but if against Corcyra, or any place belonging unto it, we will not suffer you.’
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Thucydides. Thomas Hobbes. translator. London. Bohn. 1843.
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