n be for the enemy; since if our fleet
wins the day, each can see his native city again, wherever that city may
be. You must not lose heart, or be like men without any experience, who
fail in a first essay and ever afterwards fearfully forebode a future
as disastrous. But let the Athenians among you who have already had
experience of many wars, and the allies who have joined us in so many
expeditions, remember the surprises of war, and with the hope that
fortune will not be always against us, prepare to fight again in a
manner worthy of the number which you see yourselves to be.

"Now, whatever we thought would be of service against the crush of
vessels in such a narrow harbour, and against the force upon the decks
of the enemy, from which we suffered before, has all been considered
with the helmsmen, and, as far as our means allowed, provided. A number
of archers and darters will go on board, and a multitude that we should
not have employed in an action in the open sea, where our science would
be crippled by the weight of the vessels; but in the present land-fight
that we are forced to make from shipboard all this will be useful. We
have also discovered the changes in construction that we must make to
meet theirs; and against the thickness of their cheeks, which did us the
greatest mischief, we have provided grappling-irons, which will prevent
an assailant backing water after charging, if the soldiers on deck here
do their duty; since we are absolutely compelled to fight a land battle
from the fleet, and it seems to be our interest neither to back water
ourselves, nor to let the enemy do so, especially as the shore, except
so much of it as may be held by our troops, is hostile ground.

"You must remember this and fight on as long as you can, and must not
let yourselves be driven ashore, but once alongside must make up your
minds not to part company until you have swept the heavy infantry from
the enemy's deck. I say this more for the heavy infantry than for the
seamen, as it is more the business of the men on deck; and our land
forces are even now on the whole the strongest. The sailors I advise,
and at the same time implore, not to be too much daunted by their
misfortunes, now that we have our decks better armed and greater number
of vessels. Bear in mind how well worth preserving is the pleasure felt
by those of you who through your knowledge of our language and imitation
of our manners were always considered Athenia