He sat down, and then Procles of Phlius got up and
spoke as follows : " What would happen, men of Athens,
if the Lacedaemonians were well out of the way? The
answer to that question is obvious. You would be the
first object of Theban invasion. Clearly; for they must
feel that you and you alone stand in the path between them
and empire over Hellas. If this be so, I do not consider
that you are more supporting Lacedaemon by a campaign
in her behalf than you are helping yourselves. For imagine
the Thebans, your own sworn foes and next-door neighbours,
masters of Hellas ! You will find it a painful and onerous
exchange indeed for the distant antagonism of Sparta. As a
mere matter of self-interest, now is the time to help your-
selves, while you may still reckon upon allies, instead of
waiting until they are lost, and you are forced to fight a life-



i82 HELLENICA BK. VI. {'""'.c-'lyo^sl,

and-death battle with the Thebans single-handed. But the
fear suggests itself, that should the Lacedaemonians escape
now, they will live to cause you trouble at some future date.
