EXAMPLE 13. Of the Phocian Women.
When the tyrants of Phocis had taken Delphi, and the
Thebans undertook that war against them which was called
the Holy War, certain women devoted to Bacchus (which
they call Thyades) fell frantic and went a gadding by night.
and mistaking their way they came to Amphissa; and
being very much tired and not as yet in their right wits,
they flung down themselves in the market-place, and fell
asleep as they lay scattered up and down here and there.
But the wives of the Amphisseans, fearing, because that
city was engaged to aid the Phocians in the war and abundance of the tyrants' soldiery were present in the city, the
Thyades might have some indignity put upon them, ran
forth all of them into the market-place and stood silently
round about them, neither would offer them any disturbance whilst they slept; but when they were awake, they
attended their service particularly and brought them refreshments; and in fine, by persuasions obtained leave of
their husbands to accompany them and escort them in
safety to their own borders.