, op. cit. ad loc. for various
emendations.

"These are the matters," Polydamas continued, "which have brought me to
Lacedaemon. I have told you the whole story; it is based partly on what
I see to be the case, and partly on what I have heard from yonder man.
My firm belief is, men of Lacedaemon, that if you are likely to despatch
a force sufficient, not in my eyes only, but in the eyes of all the rest
of Thessaly, to cope with Jason in war, the states will revolt from
him, for they are all in alarm as to the future development of the man's
power; but if you think a company of newly-enfranchised slaves and any
amateur general will suffice, I advise you to rest in peace. You may
take my word for it, you will have a great power to contend against, and
a man who is so prudent a general that, in all he essays to do, be it an
affair of secrecy, or speed, or force, he is wont to hit the mark of his
endeavours: one who is skilled, should occasion serve, to make the night
of equal service to him with the day; (9) or, if speed be needful,
will labour on while breakfasting or taking an evening meal. And as for
repose, he thinks that the time for it has come when the goal is reached
or the business on hand accomplished. And to this same practice he
has habituated those about him. Right well he knows how to reward the
expectations of his soldiers, when by the extra toil which makes the
difference they have achieved success; so that in his school all have
laid to heart that maxim, 'Pain first and pleasure after.' (10) And
in regard to pleasure of the senses, of all men I know, he is the most
continent; so that these also are powerless to make him idle at the
expense of duty. You must consider the matter then and tell me, as
befits you, what you can and will do."

(9) See "Cyrop." III. i. 19.

(10) For this sentiment, see "Mem." II. i. 20 et passim.

Such were the representations of Polydamas. The Lacedaemonians, for the
time being, deferred their answer; but after calculating the next
day and the day following how many divisions (11) they had on foreign
service, and how many ships on the coast of Laconia to deal with the
foreign squadron of the Athenians, and taking also into account the war
with their neighbours, they gave their answer to Polydamas: "For the
present they would not be able to send him sufficient aid: under the
circumstances they advised him to go back and make the best settlement
he could of his own affair