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thence, debar not your selves by your Cruelty now. For where shall Strangers be instructed in the liberal Arts, if Athens be destroy'd? Some short Resentment indeed they do deserve for the present Offence, but their many good Acts may justly challenge Returns of kindess and good-will. Besides this merit of the City, if any do but consider the private Circumstances of the Prisoners, there will be just cause and ground found to shew them Mercy. For the Confederates being under the command of their Superiors, are forc'd to be ingag'd in the same War with them. Wherefore though it may be thought just to execute Revenge upon them that were the chief Authors of the Injuries, yet certainly it's very fit and commendable to pardon such as are Offenders against their Wills. What shall I say of Nicias? who from the beginning (favouring the Syracusians) dissuaded the Athenians from this Expedition against Sicily; and was always kind and courteous to all the Syracusians that ever came thither. How base and unworthy then would it be to put Nicias to Death, who was our Advocate in the Senate at Athens, and that he (finding no mercy for all his kindnesses) should undergo a rigorous and implacable Revenge for his Obedience to his Governors? So that though Alcibiades (who was the great promoter of this War) avoided by his flight, Revenge both from us and the Athenians, yet he who was the most courteous of all the Athenians, cannot be thought worthy of common favour. Considering therefore the Catastrophies of this present Life, I cannot but compassionate so, unfortunate a condition. For not long ago, he was esteem'd one of the bravest Men of Greece, and most applauded for the integrity of his Life and Conversation; and the Eyes and well-Wishes of all the City every where follow'd him: But now with his Arms Pinion'd in Chains of Captivity, of a deform'd Countenance, suffering under the miserable condition of a Slave, as if Fortune in this Man's Life, glory'd to shew the greatness of her power, under whose bountiful indulgence towards us, we ought to carry it (as becomes the state and condition of Men) with Humanity and Moderation, and not to insult with barbarous Cruelty, over them who are of the same Stock and Original with our selves.
Nicholaus having thus spoken to the Syracusians, ended his Oration, and much affected his Auditors with Pity and Compassion.
But Gylippus the Laconian burning with implacable Hatred against the Athenians, ascends the Tribunal, and speaks thus;
I am in great admiration, O ye Syracusians, to see you led aside by inticing Words, even while you are under the smart of your miserable Butcheries you really groan under. If in the very height of Danger you are so cool in your Revenge towards them who came hither on purpose to ruin your Country, why do we contend when we are not at all injur'd? I intreat you by the Gods, O ye Syracusians, to give me leave, while I freely declare to you my Opinion: For being a Spartan, I must be forc'd to speak after the manner of the Spartans: And in the first place, some may inquire, how comes it to pass, that Nicholaus professes himself to bear so much Compassion towards the Athenians, who have made his Old Age the more miserable by the Loss of his Sons? And now appears in the Assembly in a mournful Habit, and with the shedding of many Tears, pleads for mercy for them who have murthered his own Children? Certainly he is no good Man, that so far forgets the Death of his nearest Relations, as to, judge it fit and just to spare them who were their most bitter and implacable Enemies. How many are here present now in this great Assembly, who are lamenting for the death of their Children? At which Words, when many of the Assembly sent forth loud Groans, he added, I discern (says he) that those Sighs are the Witnesses of the Miseries suffered. How many Brothers, Kindred and Friends lost in this War, do ye now in vain desire?
At which, when many more manifested their Sorrow;
Seest thou not, (says Gylippus) O Nicholaus! how many the Athenians have made Miserable? All these without any cause, have they depriv'd of their dearest and nearest Relations, who ought so much the more to hate the name of the Athenians, by how much they bore the greater love to their Relations, Kindred and Friends. How absurd and unjust a thing is it, O ye Syracusians, for Men voluntarily to sacrifice their Lives for you, and you not to revenge their Bloods upon their inveterate Enemies? Nay, being so far from praising those who have lost their
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