A Victor of Salamis

gora and the roar of its getters and spenders? For Athens has two faces-toward the ideal, toward the commonplace. Who can regard bo

wled the huckster from his wicker booth beside the line of Hermes-busts in the midst of the square. "Buy my charcoal!" roared back a companion, whilst past both was haled a grinning negro with a crier who bade every gentleman to "mark his chance" for a fashionable servant. Phocian the quack was hawking his toothache salve from the steps of the Temple of Apollo. Deira, the comely flower girl,

s. Behind, two apprentices whirled the wheel, another glazed on the black varnish and painted the jars with little red loves and dancing girls. Clearchus sat on the counter with three friends,-come not to trade but to barter the latest gossip from

xes having been duly chewed

you, my Polus," t

Porch or the 'Red Court'; I can't vote to condemn tha

gis; "wasn't the e

are boiling a stone-your plea's no profit,' thought we. Our hearts vote 'guilty,' if our heads say 'innocent.' One mustn't discourage honest informers. W

," murmured Clearchus; while Crito opened his

embassy's come back from Delphi with the ora

eak," observed the potter;

his wallet and cramming it into his mouth with both hands. "What a noble

?" squeaked

es. What zeal for democracy! What courage a

ave a

how some of his nights pass,-dice, Rhodian fig

yet then confessed somewhat ruefully, "howe

mean?" demand

p?an!' as loud as the others when he came back; s

Themistocles's rival, because you were

blood curse. He has married the daughter of Hermippus, [pg 65]who is too highly born to be faithful to the democ

ses now, arm in arm with Democrates as

d," spoke Crito, slowly, "only

distrust your too beautiful and

personalities might have followed had no

on," announced Polus, drawing a coin from his wonted pur

ged nearer he held up a turbot, calling for a bid. A clamour answered him. The throng pressed up the steps, elbowing and scrambling. The competition was keen but good-natured. Phormio's broad jests and witticisms-he called all his customers by name-aided in

t for th

ontracting its nets and driving a swarm of citizens toward the remaining exit, for a red chalk-mark on a mantle meant a fine. Traffic ceased instantly. Thousands crowded the lane b

hings. The multitude entered the Pnyx through two narrow entrances pierced in the massy engirdling wall and took seats at pleasure; all were equals-the Alcm?onid, the charcoal-seller from Acharn?. Amid silence the chairman of the Council arose and put on the myrtle crown,-sign that the sitting was opened. A herald besought blessings on

ing the assembly was read; then

shes to

live branches and laurel garlands, suppliants at Delphi; but their [pg 67]cloaks were black. "The

Then Callias the Rich, solemn and impressive

mple of Apollo, when the Pythoness Aristonice, sitting above the sacred cleft whence comes the inspiring vapour, thus prophesied." And Callias repeated the hexameters which warned the A

t Marathon blinked fast. Many groaned, some cursed. Here and there a bold spirit dared to open his heart to doubt, and to mutter, "Persian

all the messa

ny, finding relief in words. "He is a friend t

e his theatrical pause

urn to the [pg 68]Pythoness, saying, 'O King Apollo, reverence these boughs of supplication, and deliver a more comfortable answer concerning our dear country. El

had vainly prayed to Zeus in behalf of her city, and t

den wall continue for

the horse, nor the f

urn your back to the

rive when ye shall

hou shalt destroy t

seed, or when they

all?" demande

perplexity held it now. "The wooden wall?" "Holy Salamis?" "A great battle, but who is t

the seers! Expl

een anticipated by the p

sent. He is the oldest seer.

, wearing his ribbon-decked robes of office. The president passed him the myrtle

9]ships. But if we risk a battle, we are told slaughter and defeat will follow. The god commands, therefore, that wit

ho performs a sad but necessary duty, re

hres, the shrines of our gods, the pleasant farmsteads, t

l, as the gaze wandered up to the temple-crowned Acropolis, asked once, yes twice, "Is not

agree with Xenagoras? S

the state religion, took the Bema. H

enagoras speaks for them all save Hermippus of the hou

re order. An elderly farmer thrust himself forward, took the wreath, and poured out his rustic wisdom from the Bema. His advice was simple. The oracle said "the wooden wall" wo

"Kataba! Kataba!" "Go down! go down!" pealed the yell, emphasized by a shower of pebbles. The eld

f Miltiades,

a discreet silence, and the mult

on of Myscelus

him, as he sat near the chairman's stand, neve

ve ability to unravel oracles. The athlete sitting beside Democrates merely blushed and dr

son of Neocle

ave of silence swept across the Pnyx. A figure well

nce the prophets of evil, to infuse those myriads with his own high courage. He began with a voice so low it would have seemed a whisper if not audible to all the Pnyx. Quickly he warmed. His gestures became dramatic. His voice rose to a trumpet-call. He swept his hearers with him as dry leaves before th

well as traitor would dream of submitting to Xerxes now. But as for the admonition of Xenagoras to quit Attica and never strike a blow, Themistocles would have none of it. With a clearness that appealed to every home-loving Hellene he pictured the fate of wanderers as only one step better than that of slaves. What, then, was left? The orator had a decisive answer. Was not the "wooden wall" which

rough with gleams of wit, shades of pathos, outbursts of eloquence which burned into the hearers' hearts as though

y.' Others may vote as they will. My vote is that if the foe by land be too great, we retire before him to our ships, ay, forsake even well-loved Attica, but only that we may trust to the 'wooden wall,' and fight the Great King by s

ens need f

may conspi

hat hath b

s and guard

the chil

s and know

rests saf

r protecti

e will meet the foe at Sal

n to Themistocles, calling him, "Peitho,-Queen Persuasion." He made light of their praises, and walked with his handsome head tossed back toward the general's office by the Agora, to attend to some rout

w is wonderfully like the honest barb

es glanc

while this man's is black as a crow." And he spoke the truth

g