r the Hellenes
or all those under the Persians: for in our hostility there is no middle
course. It follows then now that it is well for us, having suffered
wrong first, to take revenge, that I may find out also what is this
terrible thing which I shall suffer if I lead an army against these
men,--men whom Pelops the Phrygian, who was the slave of my forefathers,
so subdued that even to the present day both the men themselves and
their land are called after the name of him who subdued them."

12. Thus far was it spoken then; but afterwards when darkness came on,
the opinion of Artabanos tormented Xerxes continually; and making night
his counsellor he found that it was by no means to his advantage to make
the march against Hellas. So when he had thus made a new resolve, he
fell asleep, and in the night he saw, as is reported by the Persians, a
vision as follows:--Xerxes thought that a man tall and comely of shape
came and stood by him and said: "Art thou indeed changing thy counsel,
O Persian, of leading an expedition against Hellas, now that thou hast
made proclamation that the Persians shall collect an army? Thou dost not
well in changing thy counsel, nor will he who is here present with thee
excuse thee from it; 1301 but as thou didst take counsel in the day to
do, by that way go."

13. After he had said this, Xerxes thought that he who had spoken flew
away; and when day had dawned he made no account of this dream, but
gathered together the Persians whom he had assembled also the former
time and said to them these words: "Persians, pardon me that I make
quick changes in my counsel; for in judgment not yet am I come to my
prime, and they who advise me to do the things which I said, do not
for any long time leave me to myself. However, although at first when
I heard the opinion of Artabanos my youthful impulses burst out, 14 so
that I cast out unseemly words 15 against a man older than myself; yet
now I acknowledge that he is right, and I shall follow his opinion.
Consider then I have changed my resolve to march against Hellas, and do
ye remain still."

14. The Persians accordingly when they heard this were rejoiced and made
obeisance: but when night had come on, the same dream again came and
stood by Xerxes as he lay asleep and said: "Son of Dareios, it is
manifest then that thou hast resigned this expedition before the
assembly of the Persians, and that thou hast made no account of my
words, as if thou hadst heard t