us lay down our arms.  But when we, instead of giving up our arms, put them on and went and pitched our camp near him, his manner changed.  It is hard to say what he did not do, he was so at his wit’s end, sending us embassies and begging for a truce, and furnishing provisions the while, until he had got it.  Or to take the contrary instance, when just now, acting precisely on your principles, our generals and captains went, trusting to the truce, unarmed to a conference with them, what came of it? what is happening at this instant?  Beaten, goaded with pricks, insulted, poor souls, they cannot even die:  though death, I ween, would be very sweet.  And you, who know all this, how can you say that it is mere nonsense to talk of self-defence? how can you bid us go again and try the arts of persuasion?  In my opinion, sirs, we ought not to admit this fellow to the same rank with ourselves; rather ought we to deprive him of his captaincy, and load him with packs and treat him as such.  The man is a disgrace to his own fatherland and the whole of Hellas, that, being a Hellene, he is what he is.”

Here Agasias the Stymphalian broke in, exclaiming:  “Nay, this fellow has no connection either with Boeotia or with Hellas, none whatever.  I have noted both his ears bored like a Lydian’s.”  And so it was.  Him then they banished.  But the rest visited the ranks, and wherever a general was left, they summoned the general; where he was gone, the lieutenant-general; and where again the captain alone was left, the captain.  As soon as they were all met, they seated themselves in front of the place d’armes:  the assembled generals and officers, numbering about a hundred.  It was nearly midnight when this took place.

Thereupon Hieronymous the Eleian, the eldest of Proxenus’s captains, commenced speaking as follows:  “Generals and captains, it seemed right to us, in view of the present crisis, ourselves to assemble and to summon you, that we might advise upon some practicable course.  Would you, Xenophon, repeat what you said to us?”

Thereupon Xenophon spoke as follows:  “We all know only too well, that 34 the king and Tissaphernes have seized as many of us as they could, and it is clear they are plotting to destroy the rest of us if they can.  Our business is plain:  it is to do all we can to avoid getting into the power of the barbarians; rather, if we can, we will get them into our power.  Rely upon this then, all you who are here assembled, now is your great opportunity.  The soldiers outside have their eyes fixed upon you; if they think that you are faint-hearted, they will turn cowards; but if you show them that you are making your own preparations to attack the enemy, and setting an example to the rest—­follow you, be assured, they will:  imitate you they will.  May be, it is but right and fair that you should somewhat excel them, for you are generals, you are commanders of brigades or regiments; and if, while it was peace, you had the advantage in wealth and position, so now, when it is war, you are expected to rise superior to the common herd—­to think for them, to toil for them, whenever there be need.