pes and attention of all Hellas are bent upon the
present effort, and its sympathy is with the enemy of the hated Athens.
Therefore, numerous as the invading army may appear to be, and certain
as some may think it that our adversary will not meet us in the field,
this is no sort of justification for the least negligence upon the
march; but the officers and men of each particular city should always be
prepared for the advent of danger in their own quarters. The course of
war cannot be foreseen, and its attacks are generally dictated by
the impulse of the moment; and where overweening self-confidence has
despised preparation, a wise apprehension often been able to make head
against superior numbers. Not that confidence is out of place in an army
of invasion, but in an enemy's country it should also be accompanied by
the precautions of apprehension: troops will by this combination be best
inspired for dealing a blow, and best secured against receiving one.
In the present instance, the city against which we are going, far from
being so impotent for defence, is on the contrary most excellently
equipped at all points; so that we have every reason to expect that
they will take the field against us, and that if they have not set out
already before we are there, they will certainly do so when they see us
in their territory wasting and destroying their property. For men
are always exasperated at suffering injuries to which they are not
accustomed, and on seeing them inflicted before their very eyes; and
where least inclined for reflection, rush with the greatest heat to
action. The Athenians are the very people of all others to do this, as
they aspire to rule the rest of the world, and are more in the habit of
invading and ravaging their neighbours' territory, than of seeing their
own treated in the like fashion. Considering, therefore, the power
of the state against which we are marching, and the greatness of the
reputation which, according to the event, we shall win or lose for our
ancestors and ourselves, remember as you follow where you may be led to
regard discipline and vigilance as of the first importance, and to obey
with alacrity the orders transmitted to you; as nothing contributes so
much to the credit and safety of an army as the union of large bodies by
a single discipline."

With this brief speech dismissing the assembly, Archidamus first sent
off Melesippus, son of Diacritus, a Spartan, to Athens, in case she
shoul