Erato   

justice and gave sentence upon Leotychides, that whereas he had
grossly affronted the people of Egina, he should be given up to the
ambassadors, to be led away in place of the men whom the Athenians had
in their keeping. Then the ambassadors were about to lead him away;
but Theasides, the son of Leoprepes, who was a man greatly esteemed in
Sparta, interfered, and said to them:-
"What are ye minded to do, ye men of Egina? To lead away captive
the king of the Spartans, whom his countrymen have given into your
hands? Though now in their anger they have passed this sentence, yet
belike the time will come when they will punish you, if you act
thus, by bringing utter destruction upon your country."
The Eginetans, when they heard this, changed their plan, and,
instead of leading Leotychides away captive, agreed with him that he
should come with them to Athens, and give them back their men.
When however he reached that city, and demanded the restoration of
his pledge, the Athenians, being unwilling to comply, proceeded to
make excuses, saying "that two kings had come and left the men with
them, and they did not think it right to give them back to the one
without the other." So when the Athenians refused plainly to restore
the men, Leotychides said to them:-
"Men of Athens, act which way you choose- give me up the hostages,
and be righteous, or keep them, and be the contrary. I wish,
however, to tell you what happened once in Sparta about a pledge.
The story goes among us that three generations back there lived in
Lacedaemon one Glaucus, the son of Epicydes, a man who in every
other respect was on a par with the first in the kingdom, and whose
character for justice was such as to place him above all the other
Spartans. Now to this man at the appointed season the following events
happened. A certain Milesian came to Sparta and, having desired to
speak with him, said- 'I am of Miletus, and I have come hither,
Glaucus, in the hope of profiting by thy honesty. For when I heard
much talk thereof in Ionia and through all the rest of Greece, and
when I observed that whereas Ionia is always insecure, the Peloponnese
stands firm and unshaken, and noted likewise how wealth is continually
changing hands in our country, I took counsel with myself and resolved
to turn one-half of my substance into money, and place it in thy
hands, since I am well assured that it will be safe in thy keeping.
Here then is the silver- take it- and take likewise these tallies, and
be careful of them; remember thou art to give back the money to the
person who shall bring you their fellows.' Such were the words of
the Milesian stranger; and Glaucus took the deposit on the terms
expressed to him. Many years had gone by when the sons of the man by
whom the money was left came to Sparta, and had an interview with
Glaucus, whereat they produced the tallies, and asked to have the
money returned to them. But Glaucus sought to refuse, and answered
them: 'I have no recollection of the matter; nor can I bring to mind
any of those particulars whereof ye speak. When I remember, I will
certainly do what is just. If I had the money, you have a right to
receive it back; but if it was never given to me, I shall put the
Greek law in force against you. For the present I give you no
answer; but four months hence I will settle the business.' So the
Milesians went away sorrowful, considering that their money was
utterly lost to them. As for Glaucus, he made a journey to Delphi, and
there consulted the oracle. To his question if he should swear, and so
make prize of the money, the Pythoness returned for answer these lines
following:-

Best for the present it were, O Glaucus, to do as thou wishest,
Swearing an oath to prevail, and so to make prize of the money.
Swear then- death is the lot e'en of those who never swear
falsely.
Yet hath the Oath-God a son who is nameless, footless, and
handless;
Mighty in strength he approaches to vengeance, and whelms in