41.
Thus spoke Athenagoras. Whereupon one of the generals rose, and suffering no one1 else to come forward, closed the discussion himself in the following words:—
[2]
'There is little wisdom in exchanging abuse or in sitting by and listening to it; let us rather, in view of the reported danger, see how the whole city and every man in it may take measures for resisting the invaders worthily.
[3]
Why should not the city be richly furnished with arms, horses, and all the pride and pomp of war; where is the harm even if they should not be wanted?
[4]
We, who are generals, will take in hand all these matters and examine into them ourselves; and we will send messengers to the neighboring cities in order to obtain information, and for any other purpose which may be necessary. Some precautions we have taken already, and whatever comes to our notice we will communicate to you.' When the general had thus spoken, the assembly dispersed.
1 One of the generals deprecates the use of bad language: he thinks the report of the danger a good opportunity for increasing the army.
Thucydides translated into English; with introduction, marginal analysis, notes, and indices. Volume 1. Thucydides. Benjamin Jowett. translator. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1881.
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