t was not, therefore, cowardice that
produced our defeat, nor ought the determination which force has not
quelled, but which still has a word to say with its adversary, to lose
its edge from the result of an accident; but admitting the possibility
of a chance miscarriage, we should know that brave hearts must be always
brave, and while they remain so can never put forward inexperience as an
excuse for misconduct. Nor are you so behind the enemy in experience
as you are ahead of him in courage; and although the science of your
opponents would, if valour accompanied it, have also the presence of
mind to carry out at in emergency the lesson it has learnt, yet a faint
heart will make all art powerless in the face of danger. For fear takes
away presence of mind, and without valour art is useless. Against their
superior experience set your superior daring, and against the fear
induced by defeat the fact of your having been then unprepared;
remember, too, that you have always the advantage of superior numbers,
and of engaging off your own coast, supported by your heavy infantry;
and as a rule, numbers and equipment give victory. At no point,
therefore, is defeat likely; and as for our previous mistakes, the very
fact of their occurrence will teach us better for the future. Steersmen
and sailors may, therefore, confidently attend to their several duties,
none quitting the station assigned to them: as for ourselves, we
promise to prepare for the engagement at least as well as your previous
commanders, and to give no excuse for any one misconducting himself.
Should any insist on doing so, he shall meet with the punishment he
deserves, while the brave shall be honoured with the appropriate rewards
of valour."

The Peloponnesian commanders encouraged their men after this fashion.
Phormio, meanwhile, being himself not without fears for the courage of
his men, and noticing that they were forming in groups among themselves
and were alarmed at the odds against them, desired to call them together
and give them confidence and counsel in the present emergency. He had
before continually told them, and had accustomed their minds to the
idea, that there was no numerical superiority that they could not face;
and the men themselves had long been persuaded that Athenians need never
retire before any quantity of Peloponnesian vessels. At the moment,
however, he saw that they were dispirited by the sight before them, and
wishing to refresh their