Polymnia   

bringing with him out of Asia all the forces of the East, to carry war
into Greece- professing indeed that he only seeks to attack Athens,
but really bent on bringing all the Greeks into subjection. Do thou
therefore, we beseech thee, aid those who would maintain the freedom
of Greece, and thyself assist to free her; since the power which
thou wieldest is great, and thy portion in Greece, as lord of
Sicily, is no small one. For if all Greece join together in one, there
will be a mighty host collected, and we shall be a match for our
assailants; but if some turn traitors, and others refuse their aid,
and only a small part of the whole body remains sound, then there is
reason to fear that all Greece may perish. For do not thou cherish a
hope that the Persian, when he has conquered our country, will be
content and not advance against thee. Rather take thy measures
beforehand, and consider that thou defendest thyself when thou
givest aid to us. Wise counsels, be sure, for the most part have
prosperous issues."
Thus spake the envoys; and Gelo replied with vehemence:-
"Greeks, ye have had the face to come here with selfish words, and
exhort me to join in league with you against the barbarian. Yet when I
erewhile asked you to join with me in fighting barbarians, what time
the quarrel broke out between me and Carthage; and when I earnestly
besought you to revenge on the men of Egesta their murder of
Dorieus, the son of Anaxandridas, promising to assist you in setting
free the trading places from which you receive great profits and
advantages, you neither came hither to give me succour, nor yet to
revenge Dorieus; but, for any efforts on your part to hinder it, these
countries might at this time have been entirely under the
barbarians. Now, however, that matters have prospered and gone well
with me, while the danger has shifted its ground and at present
threatens yourselves, lo! you call Gelo to mind. But though ye
slighted me then, I will not imitate you now: I am ready to give you
aid, and to furnish as my contribution two hundred triremes, twenty
thousand men-at-arms, two thousand cavalry, and an equal number of
archers, slingers, and light horsemen, together with corn for the
whole Grecian army so long as the war shall last. These services,
however, I promise on one condition- that ye appoint me chief
captain and commander of the Grecian forces during the war with the
barbarian. Unless ye agree to this, I will neither send succours,
nor come myself."
Syagrus, when he heard these words, was unable to contain himself,
and exclaimed:-
"Surely a groan would burst from Pelops' son, Agamemnon, did he
hear that her leadership was snatched from Sparta by Gelo and the
men of Syracuse. Speak then no more of any such condition, as that
we should yield thee the chief command; but if thou art minded to come
to the aid of Greece, prepare to serve under Lacedaemonian generals.
Wilt thou not serve under a leader?- then, prithee, withhold thy
succours."
Hereupon Gelo, seeing the indignation which showed itself in the
wolds of Syagrus, delivered to the envoys his final offer:- "Spartan
stranger," he said, "reproaches cast forth against a man are wont to
provoke him to anger; but the insults which thou hast uttered in thy
speech shall not persuade me to outstep good breeding in my answer.
Surely if you maintain so stoutly your right to the command, it is
reasonable that I should be still more stiff in maintaining mine,
forasmuch as I am at the head of a far larger fleet and army. Since,
however, the claim which I have put forward is so displeasing to
you, I will yield, and be content with less. Take, if it please you,
the command of the land-force, and I will be admiral of the fleet;
or assume, if you prefer it, the command by sea, and I will be
leader upon the land. Unless you are satisfied with these terms, you
must return home by yourselves, and lose this great alliance." Such
was the offer which Gelo made.
Hereat broke in the Athenian envoy, before the Spartan could