n
them and bring them to trial on the capital charge. Entrusted with
these vast powers, they do not, as do the rest of states, allow the
magistrates elected to exercise authority as they like, right through
the year of office; but, in the style rather of despotic monarchs, or
presidents of the games, at the first symptom of an offence against the
law they inflict chastisement without warning and without hesitation.

(6) Or, "before the expiration of their term of office." See Plut.
"Agis," 18 (Clough, iv. 464); Cic. "de Leg." iii. 7; "de Rep." ii.
33.

But of all the many beautiful contrivances invented by Lycurgus to
kindle a willing obedience to the laws in the hearts of the citizens,
none, to my mind, was happier or more excellent than his unwillingness
to deliver his code to the people at large, until, attended by the most
powerful members of the state, he had betaken himself to Delphi, (7)
and there made inquiry of the god whether it were better for Sparta, and
conducive to her interests, to obey the laws which he had framed. And
not until the divine answer came: "Better will it be in every way,"
did he deliver them, laying it down as a last ordinance that to refuse
obedience to a code which had the sanction of the Pythian god himself
(8) was a thing not illegal only, but profane.

(7) See Plut. "Lycurg." 5, 6, 29 (Clough, i. 89, 122); Polyb. x. 2, 9.

(8) Or, "a code delivered in Pytho, spoken by the god himself."

IX

The following too may well excite our admiration for Lycurgus. I speak
of the consummate skill with which he induced the whole state of Sparta
to regard an honourable death as preferable to an ignoble life. And
indeed if any one will investigate the matter, he will find that by
comparison with those who make it a principle to retreat in face of
danger, actually fewer of these Spartans die in battle, since, to speak
truth, salvation, it would seem, attends on virtue far more frequently
than on cowardice--virtue, which is at once easier and sweeter, richer
in resource and stronger of arm, (1) than her opposite. And that virtue
has another familiar attendant--to wit, glory--needs no showing, since
the whole world would fain ally themselves after some sort in battle
with the good.

(1) See Homer, "Il." v. 532; Tyrtaeus, 11, 14, {tressanton d' andron
pas' apolol arete}.

Yet the actual means by which he gave currency to these principles is a
point which it were well not to o