A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

—
The fight is
for home and
country.
Those who
fail in the
war will be
forced into
miserable
exile.
Greece, 62 f.;
Ancient
World, 119.
Let the
brave fight
in frontl
142 The Poets and the Philosophers
-oTLt^' shameful thing for an elder to fall in battle in front of
The poet
addresses all
the Spartans
as descendants
of the
hero HWa-
:les; Ancient
World, 92.
grievous to leave one's city and rich farm and to wander
begging with a dear mother, an aged father, Httle children
and wedded wife. One driven about by need and hateful
penury will seem a foe to all
among whom he comes.
Every kind of dishonor and evil will pursue him.
If for
such a wanderer there is no care or respect or heed or pity,
then let us fight with heart for this our country; let us die
for children's sake with no stint of life. Come, youths,
to battle, firm standing by comrade's side; begin not
shameful flight and panic. Do not by retreat abandon
the old whose knees no more are supple; indeed it is a
youths—the aged man with white head and hoary beard,
breathing out his valiant soul in
the very dust, covering
bloody wounds with his own hands,—his person stripped
a sight to stir up pity and revenge. But to the young,
all this is fitting while yet remains the brilliant bloom of
lovely youth, admired of men, adored of women while
he lives; and when he has fallen in the front—still beautiful.
Then with firm poise with both feet fixed on earth,
tgfith biting lip, let each man stand his ground!
^ Ye of the race of Heracles unconquered, be brave;
^eus turns not away in disfavor.
Fear not nor dread a
mass of men; let each bring shield quick into the front
rank, holding his own Hfe hateful but death's black fates
dear as sunbeams.
For well ye know the war-god's actions
all-annihilating, that cause the tears to flow; well have ye
learned the wrath of troublous war.
Of fleeing and pursuing
oft have ye told, young men, and of both have ye
pushed into surfeit.
Now let those who dare, side by side,
advance as champions into closest fray; thus fewer die
and they save the. host behind; but when some are cov/ards,
all bravery has departed. No one could in words recount