64.
‘Again, to such of you as are Athenians, I must remember this: that you have no more such fleets in your harbours, nor such able men of arms, and that if aught happen to you but victory, your enemies here will presently be upon you at home;
and those at home will be unable to defend themselves both against those that shall go hence and against the enemy that lieth there already.
So one part of us shall fall into the mercy of the Syracusians, against whom you yourselves know with what intent you came hither;
[2]
and the other part, which is at home, shall fall into the hands of the Lacedaemonians.
Being therefore in this one battle to fight both for yourselves and them, be therefore valiant now if ever;
and bear in mind every one of you that you that go now aboard are the land forces, the sea forces, the whole estate and great name of Athens.
For which, if any man excel others in skill or courage, he can never shew it more opportunely than now, when he may both help himself with it and the whole.’
The English works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. Thucydides. Thomas Hobbes. translator. London. Bohn. 1843.
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