Urania   

was kindled at the first among us- our wishes were in no way
considered; the contest began by your seeking to extend your empire-
now the fate of Greece is involved in it. Besides it was surely an
intolerable thing that the Athenians, who have always hitherto been
known as a nation to which many men owed their freedom, should now
become the means of bringing all other Greeks into slavery. We feel,
however, for the heavy calamities which press on you- the loss of your
harvest these two years, and the ruin in which your homes have lain
for so long a time. We offer you, therefore, on the part of the
Lacedaemonians and the allies, sustenance for your women and for the
unwarlike portion of your households, so long as the war endures. Be
ye not seduced by Alexander the Macedonian, who softens down the rough
words of Mardonius. He does as is natural for him to do- a tyrant
himself, he helps forward a tyrant's cause. But ye, Athenians,
should do differently, at least if ye be truly wise; for ye should
know that with barbarians there is neither faith nor truth."
Thus spake the envoys. After which the Athenians returned this
answer to Alexander:-
"We know, as well as thou dost, that the power of the Mede is many
times greater than our own: we did not need to have that cast in our
teeth. Nevertheless we cling so to freedom that we shall offer what
resistance we may. Seek not to persuade us into making terms with
the barbarian- say what thou wilt, thou wilt never gain our assent.
Return rather at once, and tell Mardonius that our answer to him is
this:- 'So long as the sun keeps his present course, we will never
join alliance with Xerxes. Nay, we shall oppose him unceasingly,
trusting in the aid of those gods and heroes whom he has lightly
esteemed, whose houses and whose images he has burnt with fire.'
come not thou again to us with words like these; nor, thinking to do
us a service, persuade us to unholy actions. Thou art the guest and
friend of our nation- we would not that thou shouldst receive hurt
at our hands."
Such was the answer which the Athenians gave to Alexander. To
the Spartan envoys they said:-
"'Twas natural no doubt that the Lacedaemonians should be afraid
we might make terms with the barbarian; but nevertheless It was a base
fear in men who knew so well of what temper and spirit we are. Not all
the gold that the whole earth contains- not the fairest and most
fertile of all lands- would bribe us to take part with the Medes and
help them to enslave our countrymen. Even could we anyhow have brought
ourselves to such a thing, there are many very powerful motives
which would now make it impossible. The first and chief of these is
the burning and destruction of our temples and the images of our gods,
which forces us to make no terms with their destroyer, but rather to
pursue him with our resentment to the uttermost. Again, there is our
common brotherhood with the Greeks: our common language, the altars
and the sacrifices of which we all partake, the common character which
we bear- did the Athenians betray all these, of a truth it would not
be well. Know then now, if ye have not known it before, that while one
Athenian remains alive, we will never join alliance with Xerxes. We
thank you, however, for your forethought on our behalf, and for your
wish to give our families sustenance, now that ruin has fallen on
us- the kindness is complete on your part; but for ourselves, we
will endure as we may, and not be burdensome to you. Such then is
our resolve. Be it your care with all speed to lead out your troops;
for if we surmise aright, the barbarian will not wait long ere he
invade our territory, but will set out so soon as he learns our answer
to be, that we will do none of those things which he requires of us.
Now then is the time for us, before he enters Attica, to go forth
ourselves into Boeotia, and give him battle."
When the Athenians had thus spoken, the ambassadors from Sparta
departed, and returned back to their own country.