l8o THE CALL OF THE SEA 



(From The Pasiatis ; Bohn) 



T7OR a Greek that had come from the host of 

 the Athenians told thy son Xerxes, this, that, 

 when the gloom of murky night should come, the 

 Greeks would not remain, but, springing on the 

 benches of their vessels, would severally, in different 

 directions, save their lives by stealthy flight. And 

 he, as soon as he heard it, not aware of the 

 stratagem of the Greek, nor of the jealousy 

 of the gods, publishes this order to all his cap- 

 tains, that when the sun should have ceased to 

 illumine the earth with his rays and darkness 

 tenant the temple of the firmament, they should 

 draw up the squadron of the ships in three lines, 

 to guard the outlets and the murmuring passes of 

 the sea, and others in a circle round the Isle of 

 Ajax ; so that if the Greeks should elude fatal 

 destruction by discovering any escape for their 

 ships by stealth, it was decreed that they should 

 all be deprived of their heads. To this effect he 

 spake from a frantic spirit ; for he knew not that 

 which was preordained of the gods. And they, 

 without disorder, and with obedient mind, both 

 provided supper for themselves, and the mariner 

 lashed his oar to the well-fitted rowlock. And 

 when the light of the sun had waned, and night 



