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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：…
〃Indeed； not now the word that must be said
Is； do like Nicias； or retire to bed。〃
And； again； in his Husbandmen：…
〃I wish to stay at home and farm；
What then？
Who should prevent you？
You； my countrymen；
Whom I would pay a thousand drachmas down；
To let me give up office and leave town。
Enough； content； the sum two thousand is；
With those that Nicias paid to give up his。〃
Besides all this； he did great mischief to the city by suffering the
accession of so much reputation and power to Cleon； who now assumed
such lofty airs； and allowed himself in such intolerable audacity；
as led to many unfortunate results； a sufficient part of which fell to
his own share。 Amongst other things； he destroyed all the decorum of
public speaking； he was the first who ever broke out into
exclamations； flung open his dress； smote his thigh； and ran up and
down whilst he was speaking； things which soon after introduced；
amongst those who managed the affairs of state； such licence and
contempt of decency as brought all into confusion。
Already； too； Alcibiades was beginning to show his strength at
Athens； a popular leader； not； indeed； as utterly violent as Cleon；
but as the land of Egypt； through the richness of its soil； is said…
〃…great plenty to produce；
Both wholesome herbs； and drugs of deadly juice；〃
so the nature of Alcibiades was strong and luxuriant in both kinds；
and made way for many serious innovations。 Thus it fell out that after
Nicias had got his hands clear of Cleon； he had not opportunity to
settle the city perfectly into quietness。 For having brought matters
to a pretty hopeful condition； he found everything carried away and
plunged again into confusion by Alcibiades； through the wildness and
vehemence of his ambition； and all embroiled again in war worse than
ever。 Which fell out thus。 The persons who had principally hindered
the peace were Cleon and Brasidas。 War setting off the virtue of the
one and hiding the villainy of the other； gave to the one occasions of
achieving brave actions； to the other opportunity of committing
equal dishonesties。 Now when these two were in one battle both slain
near Amphipolis； Nicias was aware that the Spartans had long been
desirous of a peace； and that the Athenians had no longer the same
confidence in the war。 Both being alike tired； and； as it were by
consent； letting fall their hands； he； therefore； in this nick of
time； employed his efforts to make a friendship betwixt the two
cities； and to deliver the other states of Greece from the evils and
calamities they laboured under； and so establish his own good name for
success as a statesman for all future time。 He found the men of
substance； the elder men； and the land…owners and farmers pretty
generally all inclined to peace。 And when； in addition to these； by
conversing and reasoning； he had cooled the wishes of a good many
others for w