in the midst of calm for our benefit, and when we lay to our hand to
fight, enable our little company to set up the trophy of victory over
the multitude of our foes. On this day they have brought us hither to
a place where the steep ascent must needs hinder our foes from
reaching with lance or arrow further than our foremost ranks; but we
with our volley of spears and arrows and stones cannot fail to reach
them with terrible effect. Had we been forced to meet them vanguard to
vanguard, on an equal footing, who could have been surprised? But as
it is, all I say to you is, let fly your missiles with a will in right
brave style. No one can miss his mark when the road is full of them.
To avoid our darts they must be for ever ducking and skulking beneath
their shields; but we will rain blows upon them in their blindness; we
will leap upon them and lay them low. But, O sirs! let me call upon
you so to bear yourselves that each shall be conscious to himself that
victory was won by him and him alone. Victory--which, God willing,
shall this day restore to us the land of our fathers, our homes, our
freedom, and the rewards of civic life, our children, if children we
have, our darlings, and our wives! Thrice happy those among us who as
conquerors shall look upon this gladdest of all days. Nor less
fortunate the man who falls to-day. Not all the wealth in the world
shall purchase him a monument so glorious. At the right instant I will
strike the keynote of the paean; then, with an invocation to the God
of battle,[9] and in return for the wanton insults they put upon us,
let us with one accord wreak vengeance on yonder men."

[6] The citadel quarter of Piraeus.

[7] Named after the famous architect Hippodamus, who built the town.
It was situated near where the two long walls joined the wall of
Piraeus; a broad street led from it up to the citadel of Munychia.