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find testimony in the comic writers; as when Teleclides; speaking of
one of the professed informers; says…

      〃Charicles gave the man a pound; the matter not to name;
       That from inside a money…bag into the world he came;
       And Nicias; also; paid him four; I know the reason well;
       But Nicias is a worthy man; and so I will not tell。〃

So; also; the informer whom Eupolis introduces in his Maricas;
attacking a good; simple; poor man:…

         〃How long ago did you and Nicias meet?
          I did but see him just now in the street。

          The man has seen him and denies it not;
         'Tis evident that they are in a plot。

          See you; O citizens! 'tis fact;
          Nicias is taken in the act。

          Taken; Fools! take so good a man
          In aught that's wrong none will or can。〃

  Cleon; in Aristophanes; makes it one of his threats:…

    〃I'll outscream all the speakers; and make Nicias stand aghast。〃

Phrynichus also implies his want of spirit and his easiness to be
intimated in the verses…

        〃A noble man he was; I well can say;
         Nor walked like Nicias; cowering on his way。〃

  So cautious was he of informers; and so reserved; that he never
would dine out with any citizen; nor allowed himself to indulge in
talk and conversation with his friends; nor give himself any leisure
for such amusements; but when he was general he used to stay at the
office till night; and was the first that came to the council…house;
and the last that left it。 And if no public business engaged him; it
was very hard to have access; or to speak with him; he being retired
at home and locked up。 And when any came to the door; some friend of
his gave them good words; and begged them to excuse him; Nicias was
very busy; as if affairs of state and public duties still kept him
occupied。 He who principally acted this part for him; and
contributed most to this state and show; was Hiero; a man educated
in Nicias's family; and instructed by him in letters and music。 He
professed to be the son of Dionysius; surnamed Chalcus; whose poems
are yet extant; and had led out the colony to Italy and founded
Thurii。 This Hiero transacted all his secrets for Nicias with the
diviners; and gave out to the people what a toilsome and miserable
life he led for the sake of the commonwealth。 〃He;〃 said Hiero; 〃can
never be either at the bath or at his meat but some public business
interferes。 Careless of his own and zealous for the public good; he
scarcely ever goes to bed till after others have had their first
sleep。 So that his health is impaired and his body out of order; nor
is he cheerful or affable with his friends; but loses them as well
as his money in the service of the state; while other men gain friends
by public speaking; enrich themselves; fare delicately and make
government their amusement。〃 And in fact this was Nicias's manner of
life; so that he well might apply to himself the words of Agamemnon:…

         〃Vain pomp's the ruler of the life we live;
          And a slave's service to the crowd we give。〃

  He observed that the people; in the case of men of eloquence; or
of eminent parts; make use of their talents upon occasion; but were
always jealous of their abilities; and held a watchful eye upon
them; taking all opportunities to humble their pride and abate their
reputation; as was manifest in their condemnation of Pericles; their
banishment of Damon; their distrust of Antiphon the Rhamnusian; but
especially in the case of Paches who took Lesbos; who having to give
an account of his conduct; in the very court of justice unsheathed his
sword and slew himself。 Upon such considerations; Nicias declined
all difficult and lengthy enterprises; if he took a command; he was
for doing what was safe; and if; as thus was likely; he had for the
most part success; he did not attribute it to any wisdom; conduct;
or courage of his own; but; to avoid envy; he thanked fortune for all;
and gave the glory to the divine powers。 And the actions themselves
bore testimony in his favour; the city met at that time with several
considerable reverses; but he had not a hand in any of them。 The
Athenians were routed in Thrace by the Chalcidians; Calliades and
Xenophon commanding in chief。 Demosthenes was the general when they
were unfortunate in Aetolia。 At Delium they lost a thousand citizens
under the conduct of Hippocrates; the plague was principally laid to
the charge of Pericles; he; to carry on the war; having shut up
close together in the town the crowd of people from the country who;
by the change of place; and of their usual course of living; bred
the pestilence。 Nicias stood clear of all this; under his conduct
was taken Cythera; an island most commodious against Laconia; and
occupied by the Lacedaemonian settlers; many places; likewise; in
Thrace; which had revolted; were taken or won over by him; he shutting
up the Megarians within their town; seized upon the isle of Minoa; and
soon after; advancing from thence to Nisaea; made himself master
there; and then making a descent upon the Corinthian territory; fought
a successful battle; and slew a great number of the Corinthians with
their captain Lycophron。 There it happened that two of his men were
left by an oversight; when they carried off the dead; which when he
understood; he stopped the fleet; and sent a herald to the enemy for
leave to carry off the dead; though by law and custom; he that by a
truce craved leave to carry off the dead was hereby supposed to give
up all claim to the victory。 Nor was it lawful for him that did this
to erect a trophy; for his is the victory who is master of the
field; and he is not master who asks leave; as wanting power to
take。 But he chose rather to renounce his victory and his glory than
to let two citizens lie unburied。 He scoured the coast of Laconia
all along; and beat the Lacedaemonians that made head against him。
He took Thyrea; occupied by the Aeginetans; and carried the
prisoners to Athens。
  When Demosthenes had fortified Pylos; and the Peloponnesians brought
together both their sea and land…forces before it; after the fight;
about the number of four hundred native Spartans were left ashore in
the isle Sphacteria。 The Athenians thought it a great prize; as indeed
it was; to take these men prisoners。 But the siege; in places that
wanted water; being very difficult and untoward; and to convey
necessaries about by sea in summer tedious and expensive; in winter
doubtful; or plainly impossible; they began to be annoyed; and to
repent their having rejected the embassy of the Lacedaemonians; that
had been sent to propose a treaty of peace; which had been done at the
importunity of Cleon; who opposed it chiefly out of a pique to Nicias;
for; being his enemy; and observing him to be extremely solicitous
to support the offers of the Lacedaemonians; he persuaded the people
to refuse them。
  Now; therefore; that the siege was protracted; and they heard of the
difficulties that pressed their army; they grew enraged against Cleon。
But he turned all the blame upon Nicias; charging it on his softness
and cowardice; that the besieged were not yet taken。 〃Were I general;〃
said he; 〃they should not hold out so long。〃 The Athenians not
unnaturally asked the question; 〃Why; then; as it is; do not you go
with a squadron against them?〃 And Nicias standing up resigned his
command at Pylos to him; and bade him take what forces he pleased
along with him; and not be bold in words; out of harm's way; but go
forth and perform some real service for the commonwealth。 Cleon; at
the first; tried to draw back; disconcerted at the proposal; which
he had never expected; but the Athenians insisting; and Nicias
loudly upbraiding him; he thus provoked; and fired with ambition; took
upon him the charge; and said further; that within twenty days after
he embarked; he would either kill the enemy; upon the place; or
bring them alive to Athens。 This the Athenians were readier to
launch at than to believe; as on other occasions; also; his bold
assertions and extravagances used to make them sport; and were
pleasant enough。 As; for instance; it is reported that once when the
people were assembled; and had waited his coming a long time; at
last he appeared with a garland on his head; and prayed them to
adjourn to the next day。 〃For;〃 said he; 〃I am not at leisure
to…day; I have sacrificed to the gods; and am to entertain some
strangers。〃 Whereupon the Athenians; laughing; rose up; and
dissolved the assembly。 However; at this time he had good…fortune; and
in conjunction with Demosthenes; conducted the enterprise so well
that; within the time he had limited; he carried captive to Athens all
the Spartans that had not fallen in battle。
  This brought great disgrace on Nicias; for this was not to throw
away his shield; but something yet more shameful and ignominious; to
quit his charge voluntarily out of cowardice; and voting himself; as
it were; out of his command of his own accord; to put into his enemy's
hand the opportunity of achieving so brave an action。 Aristophanes has
a jest against him on this occasion in the Birds:…

       

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