e, 236,
fr. 6.

[2] Lit. "so that you might know not only where to put," etc.

[3] Or, "order and arrangement." So Cic. ap. Col. xii. 2, 4,
"dispositione atque ordine."

"For instance, what is a chorus?--a band composed of human beings,
who dance and sing; but suppose the company proceed to act as each
may chance--confusion follows; the spectacle has lost its charm. How
different when each and all together act and recite [4] with orderly
precision, the limbs and voices keeping time and tune. Then, indeed,
these same performers are worth seeing and worth hearing.

[4] Or, "declaim," {phtheggontai}, properly of the "recitative" of the
chorus. Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 238 D.

"So, too, an army," I said, "my wife, an army destitute of order is
confusion worse confounded: to enemies an easy prey, courting attack; to
friends a bitter spectacle of wasted power; [5] a mingled mob of asses,
heavy infantry, and baggage-bearers, light infantry, cavalry, and
waggons. Now, suppose they are on the march; how are they to get along?
In this condition everybody will be a hindrance to everybody: 'slow
march' side by side with 'double quick,' 'quick march' at cross purposes
with 'stand at ease'; waggons blocking cavalry and asses fouling
waggons; baggage-bearers and hoplites jostling together: the whole a
hopeless jumble. And when it comes to fighting, such an army is not
precisely in condition to deliver battle. The troops who are compelled
to retreat before the enemy's advance [6] are fully capable of trampling
down the heavy infantry detachments in reserve. [7]

[5] Reading {agleukestaton}, or, if with Breit, {akleestaton}, "a most
inglorious spectacle of extreme unprofitableness."

[6] Or, "whose duty (or necessity) it is to retire before an attack,"
i.e. the skirmishers. Al. "those who have to retreat," i.e. the
non-combatants.

[7] Al. "are quite capable of trampling down the troops behind in
their retreat." {tous opla ekhontas} = "the troops proper," "heavy
infantry."

"How different is an army well organised in battle order: a splendid
sight for friendly eyes to gaze at, albeit an eyesore to the enemy. For
who, being of their party, but will feel a thrill of satisfaction as he
watches the serried masses of heavy infantry moving onwards in unbroken
order? who but will gaze with wonderment as the squadrons of the cavalry
dash past him at the gallop? And what of the foeman? will not his hea