to do, let us forthwith attempt the Peloponnese, or if thou thinkest
good to hold back, we may do that. Do not despond however, for there is
no way of escape for the Hellenes to avoid being thy slaves, after they
have first given an account of that which they did to thee both now
and at former times. Thus it were best to do; but if thou hast indeed
resolved to retire thyself and to withdraw thy army, I have another
counsel to offer for that case too. Do not thou, O king, let the
Persians be an object of laughter to the Hellenes; for none of thy
affairs have suffered by means of the Persians, nor wilt thou be able to
mention any place where we proved ourselves cowards: but if Phenicians
or Egyptians or Cyprians or Kilikians proved themselves cowards, the
calamity which followed does not belong to the Persians in any way. Now
therefore, since it is not the Persians who are guilty towards thee,
follow my counsel. If thou hast determined not to remain here, retire
thou to thine own abode, taking with thee the main body of the army,
and it must then be for me to deliver over to thee Hellas reduced to
subjection, choosing for this purpose thirty myriads 64 from the army."

101. Hearing this Xerxes was rejoiced and delighted so far as he might
be after his misfortunes, 65 and to Mardonios he said that when he had
taken counsel he would reply and say which of these two things he would
do. So when he was taking counsel with those of the Persians who
were called to be his advisers, 66 it seemed good to him to send for
Artemisia also to give him counsel, because at the former time she alone
had showed herself to have perception of that which ought to be done. So
when Artemisia had come, Xerxes removed from him all the rest, both the
Persian councillors and also the spearmen of the guard and spoke to
her thus: "Mardonios bids me stay here and make an attempt on the
Peloponnese, saying that the Persians and the land-army are not guilty
of any share in my calamity, and that they would gladly give me proof of
this. He bids me therefore either do this or, if not, he desires himself
to choose thirty myriads from the army and to deliver over to me Hellas
reduced to subjection; and he bids me withdraw with the rest of the army
to my own abode. Do thou therefore, as thou didst well advise about the
sea-fight which was fought, urging that we should not bring it on, so
also now advise me which of these things I shall do, that I may succeed
in