e right on our side and
refuse to submit, and in the contrary case, slavery.

Athenians. If you have met to reason about presentiments of the future,
or for anything else than to consult for the safety of your state upon
the facts that you see before you, we will give over; otherwise we will
go on.

Melians. It is natural and excusable for men in our position to turn
more ways than one both in thought and utterance. However, the question
in this conference is, as you say, the safety of our country; and the
discussion, if you please, can proceed in the way which you propose.

Athenians. For ourselves, we shall not trouble you with specious
pretences--either of how we have a right to our empire because we
overthrew the Mede, or are now attacking you because of wrong that you
have done us--and make a long speech which would not be believed; and in
return we hope that you, instead of thinking to influence us by saying
that you did not join the Lacedaemonians, although their colonists, or
that you have done us no wrong, will aim at what is feasible, holding
in view the real sentiments of us both; since you know as well as we
do that right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in
power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they
must.

Melians. As we think, at any rate, it is expedient--we speak as we
are obliged, since you enjoin us to let right alone and talk only of
interest--that you should not destroy what is our common protection, the
privilege of being allowed in danger to invoke what is fair and right,
and even to profit by arguments not strictly valid if they can be got
to pass current. And you are as much interested in this as any, as your
fall would be a signal for the heaviest vengeance and an example for the
world to meditate upon.

Athenians. The end of our empire, if end it should, does not frighten
us: a rival empire like Lacedaemon, even if Lacedaemon was our real
antagonist, is not so terrible to the vanquished as subjects who by
themselves attack and overpower their rulers. This, however, is a risk
that we are content to take. We will now proceed to show you that we are
come here in the interest of our empire, and that we shall say what we
are now going to say, for the preservation of your country; as we
would fain exercise that empire over you without trouble, and see you
preserved for the good of us both.

Melians. And how, pray, could it turn out as good for u