for Demaratos the son of Ariston, who was marching
with him against Hellas; and having called him he asked as follows:
"Demaratos, now it is my pleasure to ask thee somewhat which I desire
to know. Thou art not only a Hellene, but also, as I am informed both
by thee and by the other Hellenes who come to speech with me, of a city
which is neither the least nor the feeblest of Hellas. Now therefore
declare to me this, namely whether the Hellenes will endure to raise
hands against me: for, as I suppose, even if all the Hellenes and
the remaining nations who dwell towards the West should be gathered
together, they are not strong enough in fight to endure my attack,
supposing them to be my enemies. 95 I desire however to be informed also
of thy opinion, what thou sayest about these matters." He inquired thus,
and the other made answer and said: "O king, shall I utter the truth
in speaking to thee, or that which will give pleasure?" and he bade
him utter the truth, saying that he should suffer nothing unpleasant in
consequence of this, any more than he suffered before.

102. When Demaratos heard this, he spoke as follows: "O king, since thou
biddest me by all means utter the truth, and so speak as one who shall
not be afterwards convicted by thee of having spoken falsely, I say
this:--with Hellas poverty is ever an inbred growth, while valour is one
that has been brought in, being acquired by intelligence and the force
of law; and of it Hellas makes use ever to avert from herself not only
poverty but also servitude to a master. Now I commend all the Hellenes
who are settled in those Dorian lands, but this which I am about to say
has regard not to tall, but to the Lacedemonians alone: of these I say,
first that it is not possible that they will ever accept thy terms,
which carry with them servitude for Hellas; and next I say that they
will stand against thee in fight, even if all the other Hellenes shall
be of thy party: and as for numbers, ask now how many they are, that
they are able to do this; for whether it chances that a thousand of them
have come out into the field, these will fight with thee, or if there be
less than this, or again if there be more."

103. Xerxes hearing this laughed, and said: "Demaratos, what a speech is
this which thou hast uttered, saying that a thousand men will fight with
this vast army! Come tell me this:--thou sayest that thou wert thyself
king of these men; wilt thou therefore consent forthwit