nst
him to make him a subject instead of a monarch, and to put him to death
if it should lie in our power? 18. Will he not proceed to every
extremity, that by reducing us to the last degree of ignominious
suffering, he may inspire all men with a dread of ever taking the field
against him? We must however try every expedient not to fall into his
hands. 19. For myself, I never ceased, while the truce lasted, to
consider ourselves as objects of pity, and to regard the king and his
people as objects of envy, as I contemplated how extensive and valuable
a country they possessed, how great an abundance of provisions, how many
slaves and cattle, and how vast a quantity of gold and raiment; 20.
while, on the other hand, when I reflected on the condition of our own
soldiers, that we had no share in any of all these blessings, unless we
bought it, and knew that few of us had any longer money to buy, and that
our oaths restrained us from getting provisions otherwise than by
buying, I sometimes, on taking all these circumstances into
consideration, feared the continuance of peace more than I now fear war.
21. But since they have put an end to peace, their own haughtiness, and
our mistrust, seem likewise to be brought to an end; for the advantages
which I have mentioned lie now as prizes between us, for whichsoever of
us shall prove the better men; and the gods are the judges of the
contest, who, as is just, will be on our side; 22. since the enemy have
offended them by perjury, while we, though seeing many good things to
tempt us, have resolutely abstained from all of them through regard to
our oaths; so that, as it seems to me, we may advance to the combat with
much greater confidence than they can feel. 23. We have bodies,
moreover, better able than theirs to endure cold and heat and toil; and
we have, with the help of the gods, more resolute minds; while the
enemy, if the gods, as before, grant us success, will be found more
obnoxious to wounds and death[122] than we are. 24. But possibly others
of you entertain the same thoughts; let us not, then, in the name of
heaven, wait for others to come and exhort us to noble deeds, but let us
be ourselves the first to excite others to exert their valour. Prove
yourselves the bravest of the captains, and more worthy to lead than
those who are now leaders. 25. As for me, if you wish to take the start
in the course, I am willing to follow you, or, if you appoint me to be a
leader, I shall n