se, who are trying to
enslave near and far alike, there is nothing for it but to fight it out
to the last. Look at the condition of the Euboeans and of most of the
rest of Hellas, and be convinced that others have to fight with their
neighbours for this frontier or that, but that for us conquest means one
frontier for the whole country, about which no dispute can be made, for
they will simply come and take by force what we have. So much more have
we to fear from this neighbour than from another. Besides, people who,
like the Athenians in the present instance, are tempted by pride of
strength to attack their neighbours, usually march most confidently
against those who keep still, and only defend themselves in their own
country, but think twice before they grapple with those who meet them
outside their frontier and strike the first blow if opportunity offers.
The Athenians have shown us this themselves; the defeat which we
inflicted upon them at Coronea, at the time when our quarrels had
allowed them to occupy the country, has given great security to Boeotia
until the present day. Remembering this, the old must equal their
ancient exploits, and the young, the sons of the heroes of that time,
must endeavour not to disgrace their native valour; and trusting in the
help of the god whose temple has been sacrilegiously fortified, and
in the victims which in our sacrifices have proved propitious, we must
march against the enemy, and teach him that he must go and get what he
wants by attacking someone who will not resist him, but that men whose
glory it is to be always ready to give battle for the liberty of their
own country, and never unjustly to enslave that of others, will not let
him go without a struggle."

By these arguments Pagondas persuaded the Boeotians to attack the
Athenians, and quickly breaking up his camp led his army forward, it
being now late in the day. On nearing the enemy, he halted in a position
where a hill intervening prevented the two armies from seeing each
other, and then formed and prepared for action. Meanwhile Hippocrates
at Delium, informed of the approach of the Boeotians, sent orders to his
troops to throw themselves into line, and himself joined them not long
afterwards, leaving about three hundred horse behind him at Delium,
at once to guard the place in case of attack, and to watch their
opportunity and fall upon the Boeotians during the battle. The Boeotians
placed a detachment to deal with t