meats and drinks, but he must bid his serving-men before the feast
begins, or ever the libation to the gods is poured,[4] to taste the
viands, out of sheer mistrust there may be mischief lurking in the cup
or platter.[5]

[3] Or, "from this . . . is almost absolutely debarred."

[4] "Or ever grace is said."

[5] Cf. "Cyrop." I. iii. 4.

Once more, the rest of mankind find in their fatherland a treasure
worth all else beside. The citizens form their own body-guard[6]
without pay or service-money against slaves and against evil-doers. It
is theirs to see that none of themselves, no citizen, shall perish by
a violent death. And they have advanced so far along the path of
guardianship[7] that in many cases they have framed a law to the
effect that "not the associate even of one who is blood-guilty shall
be accounted pure." So that, by reason of their fatherland,[8] each
several citizen can live at quiet and secure.

[6] "Are their own 'satellites,' spear-bearers." Cf. Thuc. i. 130;
Herod. ii. 168; vii. 127.

[7] "Pushed so far the principle of mutual self-aid."

[8] "Thanks to the blessing of a fatherland each citizen may spend his
days in peace and safety."

But for the tyrant it is again exactly the reverse.[9] Instead of