r no resistance to your vessels, or
withdraw from both our shores. Nor must it be thought that this is a
case of putting yourselves into danger for a country which is not yours.
Lesbos may appear far off, but when help is wanted she will be found
near enough. It is not in Attica that the war will be decided, as some
imagine, but in the countries by which Attica is supported; and the
Athenian revenue is drawn from the allies, and will become still larger
if they reduce us; as not only will no other state revolt, but our
resources will be added to theirs, and we shall be treated worse than
those that were enslaved before. But if you will frankly support us, you
will add to your side a state that has a large navy, which is your
great want; you will smooth the way to the overthrow of the Athenians by
depriving them of their allies, who will be greatly encouraged to come
over; and you will free yourselves from the imputation made against
you, of not supporting insurrection. In short, only show yourselves as
liberators, and you may count upon having the advantage in the war.

"Respect, therefore, the hopes placed in you by the Hellenes, and that
Olympian Zeus, in whose temple we stand as very suppliants; become the
allies and defenders of the Mitylenians, and do not sacrifice us, who
put our lives upon the hazard, in a cause in which general good will
result to all from our success, and still more general harm if we fail
through your refusing to help us; but be the men that the Hellenes think
you, and our fears desire."

Such were the words of the Mitylenians. After hearing them out, the
Lacedaemonians and confederates granted what they urged, and took
the Lesbians into alliance, and deciding in favour of the invasion of
Attica, told the allies present to march as quickly as possible to
the Isthmus with two-thirds of their forces; and arriving there first
themselves, got ready hauling machines to carry their ships across from
Corinth to the sea on the side of Athens, in order to make their attack
by sea and land at once. However, the zeal which they displayed was not
imitated by the rest of the confederates, who came in but slowly, being
engaged in harvesting their corn and sick of making expeditions.

Meanwhile the Athenians, aware that the preparations of the enemy were
due to his conviction of their weakness, and wishing to show him that he
was mistaken, and that they were able, without moving the Lesbian fleet,
to repel